Professional Experience
Committee to Protect Journalists – India Representative
July 2018 – Present
I write, research and report on press freedom issues in India
Impulse Press Lab – Core Committee Member & Journalism Mentor
January 2018 – Present
I’m on the steering committee of the Impulse NGO Network Model Press Lab, which supports journalists who cover human trafficking-related stories.
Indian Express Group – Founding Editor – InUth.com
August 2016 – October 2017
I was the founding editor of InUth.com, a youth-centric infotainment website from the Indian Express Group with focuses on news trends, social virals, entertainment and sports. I supervised a team of 30+ multimedia reporters, video editors, and copy editors. In less than a year, managed to become one of the top 5 youth sites in the country beating big names like HuffPost India and Story Pick.
Catch News – Editor, Operations & Speed News
August 2014 – July 2016
One of the youngest among the four founding editors of Catch News, I was responsible for the day-to-day running of the real-time news team
Zee Media Corporation Limited – Associate Editor (Digital)
January 2014 – August 2014
I joined as the editor responsible for political content for digital properties of the entire Zee Media group including dnaindia.com and india.com. I was asked to take over the editorial functioning of DNA news website around April 2014. I headed a team of 17 members including web producers, writers, and copy desk. I created exclusive online content on and around General Election 2014 for dnaindia.com and india.com, mostly through comment pieces by young writers. I worked on revamping dnaindia.com design as well. My big focus was on discovering new opinion writers and making content relevant for younger readers
Tehelka
4 years 4 months
New Delhi Area, India
Assistant Editor – November 2012 – December 2013
I headed the digital operations of Tehelka, supervising a team of 15 members including copy editors, video editors, radio professionals and IT coders. I revamped the Tehelka website and launched Tehelka.com 2.0. I expanded Tehelka online platforms to include Tehelka Radio and Tehelka Blogs. Implemented a successful social media strategy which saw Tehelka’s numbers on Twitter and Facebook increase multifold
Principal Correspondent – March 2012 – November 2012
I focused on foreign affairs, travelling to and reporting from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Bangladesh. I wrote on India-Pakistan trade and the interest from Pakistan Military. I became one of the first Indian reporters to cover the Shahbag movement in Bangladesh. I was also asked to work on Tehelka’s social media strategy and launch Tehelka Blog.
Senior Correspondent – May 2011 – March 2012
I won the Statesman Award for an investigative report on child miners in Meghalaya. I travelled to the jungles of Chhattisgarh to interview Maoist leaders after the deadly attack on CRPF jawans. I focused on politics with a first-page weekly interview column in Tehelka
Correspondent – September 2009 – April 2011
I joined Tehelka as a business correspondent before moving on to current affairs with a focus on Northeast India. I extensively covered the issue of AFSPA and the impact in Manipuri civil society. I travelled to Andhra Pradesh to investigate an illegal cervical vaccine drive among tribal girl. I was awarded the UNPFA-Laadli Award for best Features.
Images Multimedia Pvt Ltd
New Delhi Area, India
2 years 11 months
Freelance Copyeditor – June 2007 – April 2009
I continued my association with Images as I started my MA studies in Journalism. I edited the news section of Images Business of Fashion magazine after university classes
Sub Editor cum Correspondent trainee – June 2006 – May 2007
I began my career in journalism while still in college. I used to work post my classes. I reported on the retail industry with a focus on fashion retailing
Education
Jamia Millia Islamia
BA (Hons), English Literature · (2004 – 2007)
Jamia Millia Islamia
Master’s degree, Convergent Journalism · (2007 – 2009)
Foreign Correspondents’ Programme 2008
Diploma in Foreign Correspondence, European Affairs · (2008 – 2008)
De Nobili School
ICSE and ISC, High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates · (1989 – 2003)
Honors-Awards
The Statesman Award for Rural Reporting 2010
UNFPA-Laadli Award for Gender Sensitivity (Best Feature) 2009
Academic Publication
More than Maoism: Politics, policies and insurgencies in South Asia, Ed. Robin Jeffrey, Ronojoy Sen, Pratima Singh (NUS), Manohar Publishers, 2012
Languages
English (Full Professional)
Hindi (Limited Working)
Bangla (Native or Bilingual)