smaller magazines and regional newspapers, I had immense opportunities to cover hard beats. Among states Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan among political parties the Janata Dal and the BJP, among ministries Defence, Home Affairs and External Affairs, and events of national and international significance, like the IPKF operations in Sri Lanka, coup in Maldives and earth summit in Brazil. I never felt discriminated against as a woman journalist. On the contrary, my editors were very encouraging. In my opinion, if you were good at work, gender did not come in the way of opportunities. While every beat I covered was a great opportunity, two are etched inmymemory.Covering the politics of the BJP that led to their steady growth from two members in 1984 through the Ayodhya movement. The second was covering the brewing politicalsituation in Punjab that led to a full-blown insurgency. Punjab was the greatest challenge and learning graph.Little did Ithen realise,that I would be a witnessto historical developments of a period whose echowill be feltfor decadesto come andwill equip me with contacts, information and understanding of politics of a people and a state that willsustain my interest fortherestofmylife.
My first book happened because of my editor. One fine morning in 1984 I received a note from my editor of Newsmag,D.M.Silvera afterOperationBlueStar. “Do a book onBlueStar.With your contacts and understanding of Punjab, it is a life-time opportunity.” Blue Star Over Amritsar, now in its third edition, was followed up by 1984 Lessons from History, Intrigue and Conflict in Centre-Sikh Relations, and two coffee table books – on the Golden Temple and Anandpur Sahib. The third one on Guru Nanak is under print and some more on Punjab are in the pipeline. For a journalist, to be at the right place atthe righttime is the biggest opportunity