Jobaaj Stories
“EVERY STRUGGLE IN YOUR LIFE HAS SHAPED YOU INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY. BE THANKFUL FOR THE HARD TIMES; THEY CAN ONLY MAKE YOU STRONGER”
The recipe for success contains a lot of hard work. Sometimes it can be luck but primarily it is hard work. In this episode of Jobaaj Stories, we bring you the struggle story of one such man, Rajat Sharma, the chairman of India TV, the most-watched news station in India. Rajat also had his share of hardships to overcome and to reach the pinnacle of power and success that he has attained today.
Hardships amidst poverty
Rajat Sharma was born on 18th February 1957 in Delhi, India. Coming from a low-income family, Rajat grew up in a 10 by 10 room with seven siblings and ailing parents. Due to financial instability, he attended a community school and had to study under a lamppost at the railway station at night due to the lack of electricity at home.
One incident from his youth left a long-lasting impact on Rajat. He was denied to enter a neighbor's house where everyone gathered to watch television, he shared his disappointment with his father, who responded by encouraging him to do something in life that would make others watch him on television. These words became a driving force for Rajat, motivating him to work hard and make his father proud.
Education and Early Career: Success Against The Odds
Despite financial difficulties, Rajat pursued higher education and graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce. With the help of his friend and senior, Arun Jaitley, he managed to pay his college fees. After completing his Master's degree, Rajat searched tirelessly for a job and found a position as a researcher for journalist Janardan Thakur at Anand Bazaar Patrika, earning a modest salary of Rs 400 per month.
From Writing His Own Stories to Hosting Aap Ki Adalat
However, Rajat's passion for writing led him to take permission from Thakur to write his own story, which he then sold to the Onlooker magazine for INR 300. This unexpected success encouraged him to pursue a career in journalism. He joined Onlooker magazine as a trainee reporter and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the editor of the magazine by the age of 28.
Despite early success, Rajat faced judgment from others at a young age when he moved to Bombay. It took three years of relentless struggle before he finally secured positions as an editor at 'Sunday Observer' and later 'The Daily'. However, his career took a significant turn in 1992 when he pitched the concept of Aap Ki Adalat to Subhash Chandra, the founder of Zee TV, and ended up hosting the show, which became immensely popular.
Emerging Success: Climbing the Ladder
Rajat's success continued as he launched India's first private television news bulletin and, along with his wife, established Independent News Service (INS), the parent company of India TV. In 2004, they launched their own news channel, India TV. Throughout his career, Rajat has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award and the Indian Television Academy Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also appointed as the President of “The News Broadcasters Association (NBA). He is also named the “Hero of the media industry” in a nationwide survey conducted by Hindustan.
Rajat Sharma's journey from poverty and adversity to becoming a prominent figure in journalism is a testament to his determination and hard work. He has always maintained his integrity and independence in delivering fair news content without fear or favor. His humble beginnings and the struggles he faced have shaped him into the person he is today, and he serves as an inspiration to others who aspire to achieve success through their own efforts.
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