Vidya Bharati alumni, Mr. Rakesh Kumar Samal talks about his experience as a Photojournalist

A photojournalist from the town of Angul in Odisha, alumnus Rakesh Kumar Samal grew up watching his father who belonged to the same field. During his recent interview, Mr. Kumar talked about the pros and cons of the profession. A short extract of the interview is as follows:

Interviewer: Can you give us a brief background of your academic and professional background?

Mr. Samal: From primary till class 7, I had studied in Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, Angul, then from 8 to 10, I studied in a local school. After completion of 12th board examination and graduation I did IMC degree from IGNOU.

Presently I am working as a photojournalist at one of the most reputed regional papers of Odisha, ‘The Sambad’ in Angul.

Interviewer: What made you take up journalism as a career? Please tell us more about your experience in the same

Mr. Samal: When I completed my education in 2004, journalism as a profession was highly in demand. Also as my father was working in the same field in Delhi and gained much success, I developed a natural interest in the subject as well. 

I enjoy my profession immensely and it has a lot of positive aspects. While working in this field my PR skills have become very strong. I get to bring the truth to the forefront and it is how I can provide service to the people.

The only challenge that is prevalent in this field is that sometimes the general audience have unrealistic expectations from members of the profession. They do not understand that even we have our limitations.

Interviewer: Tell us something about your school please.

Mr. Samal: The ‘sanskars’ and discipline that has been imbued by our school has become the strongest pillars of my personality. Even now when I enter my school premises, I feel like a child again. The memories and freedom of those days is something that is very close to my heart. 

When I was studying there, we had only 17 students in the class but all of us have formed a lifelong connection with each other.

The only thing that I can request from my school is that when we were young the English that we were taught was on par with the CBSE syllabus, but now it is following the Odia medium curriculum. If the English subject can be strengthened a bit, I think it will help the students more.
 

Interviewer: Would you like to give any message or advice to the students?

Mr. Samal: The most important thing that a student has to remember is that when one enters the professional field, one has to give a lot of importance to practical knowledge. Do not just rely on your academic knowledge alone. Work from the grass root level and gather experience in your chosen profession.

Vidya Bharati purv Chatra Parishad thanks Mr. Rakesh Kumar Samal for sharing his knowledge and experiences with the community.

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and would like to tell us your story as well, please email us your contact details at info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will get in touch with you.