Pages From The Diary Of A Journalist

Book excerpt: This book is the recounting of the experiences of a journalist, who saw, met or talked to some of the great leaders who dominated the Indian political scene from the 1960’s till well into the 21st century.It is also about the visit of world leaders and personalities to the capital city of the Mughals and that great showpiece of Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal. These VIP’s include President Eisenhower of the USA; Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and his wife Princess Diana, all of the UK ; Prince Akhito and Princess Michiko of Japan; King Hussein of Jordon; Queen Farah of Iran and Jacqueline Kennedy, when First Lady of the USA. The book also tells the reader about the dacoits of the Chambal valley,the social spectrum of the city in which we see the prostitute village of Basai, the Gandhigram Kushtashram, the Mother Teresa homes,the widows home opened by a German widow of Agra, the Mental Asylum and other social care institutions. Also included are the cultural extravaganzas presented in Agra and Vrindavan, including the Swami Haridas Music Festival,the Film Stars Night in 1963,Yanni’s Freedom Concert and the Taj Mahotsava. Also given are some famous court cases,like the Kamath Murder Case of 1958;the wars with China and Pakistan, the major road and rail accidents in and around Agra; the trade and industry of the city and the large number of national and international conferences the author attended over a period of over fifty years. The first chapter tells the reader about the work, status and responsibilities of a journalist, while the last three chapters take up the work of journalist organisations vis-à-vis journalists, the gain of the author from his work as a journalist and the journalists of Agra he knew from 1949 to 2014. Written in an easy, flowing style by one who taught English language and literature to degree and postgraduate students for decades, the book makes interesting reading.