Najir Hussain aimed to be a journalist ever since he distributed newspapers for work but couldn’t pursue his goals due to financial constraints. A very common quote not so commonly opted by today’s generation is “Where there is a will, there is a way” to raise hopes for Najir Ji to complete his dreams which were made possible when Bahujan news outlet The Mooknayak began publishing his stories.
WV Desk — Unlike other vendors, Najir Hussain, 40 years old man, each morning wakes up early drops his three children at the school, addresses his wife, sets up his vegetable stall in the Bichhor, Chittorgarh city in Rajasthan.
Najir could not pursue a journalism course, or for that matter any course, due to financial and social constraints. Najir is from a Pasmanda Muslim Community. He was married when he finished his schooling and since then he has been a wage-earner for his family. Najir has been involved in many casual odd jobs— motor mechanic, a newspaper distributor and now a vegetable seller. Najir is a vegetable seller and a journalist.
A life-changing turning point came in his life when with access to social media, his passion for journalism got reanimated.
A Twitter thread posted by Journalist Meena Kotwal about Najir’s story became viral.
Najir Hussain’s Background
WV (Worldly Voice) contacted him for more information about Najir. He elaborates on his journey from business and family background to becoming a journalist.
Who else is there in your family? And from where and how much have you done your studies?
Najir – I live with my Abbu and Ammi along with my wife, two daughters and one son. I have done my studies from my home district and I have studied till 12th.
Do you remember what your first report was on, and how was your experience while preparing it?
Najir – “My first report was on sexual abuse of a child which was done by a judge. I faced a lot of difficulties in preparing that report because it was hard for me to gather all the information. At first, I contacted the child’s family then the police. I also took the key bites which was challenging for me.”
Now you are one of the successful journalists, what do you think about your further career as a journalist, will you continue your business with your journalism?
Najir – According to you, I am a successful journalist, but I still have a lot to learn, journalism is my passion, I am serious about it, but business is also important. For the time being, the business will continue with journalism.
What will be your decision if mainstream media or any other big media platform offers you a job?
Najir – If I am identified with The Mooknayak, then there can be no question of going to another media house. Although I had offers from a couple of institutions I refused. I don’t like mainstream media.
Najir Hussain- AN INSPIRATION FOR TODAY’S YOUTH
I asked Najir Ji ” Dreams are easy to see but the journey to fulfill them is difficult. How did you manage to fulfill your dreams with the job of a vegetable seller?”
He explains “It is true that it is easy to dream but it is equally difficult to fulfil them. I am dedicated to my work, whenever I get time, I collect facts related to my business as well as a report throughout the day and when I have time at night. If I get it, I write a story”.
Where he mentions how Meena didi has an important contribution in making his dreams come true.
Asked Najir “Your study background is not that strong, but it is important for journalists to have a good grasp of languages. How did you manage?”
He explains “For good journalism, it is very important to have a command of the language, for this, I did a lot of story reading, many times I used to make many mistakes, which were corrected by my seniors, and then the story was completed.
In this practical world without a good resume and a degree, how did you manage to survive as a good resume is a necessity in today’s world?
“If you desire to work, and have the utmost passion for the profession you have chosen, then your work does not require a degree or a resume. Slowly and gradually you can become perfect in it,” He explains.
Our generation runs away from situations and gives up easily, your journey is an inspirational one, what real-life lesson would you like to give to today’s generation?
“I am born in a Pashmanda Muslim family, I have grown up fighting the circumstances from the beginning, so there is no question of giving up, those who believe in defeat, those who cannot stand in front of the situation, soon give up, I would like to say that the circumstances No matter how difficult it is, fight them boldly, success will one day be at your feet,” – Najir told Worldly Voice with confidence.
Zainab Sikander’s writings for The Print also shed light on journalism and the problems faced by the Muslim community in India
Journalism is in danger today and all that is being done in its name is pure business with bigotry, open display of hatred against Muslims and other minorities. Not only is it adopting various tactics to garner viewership to earn from advertisements, but it is also playing the role of a PR (propaganda) firm to project the BJP as the savior of the country. And what is the favorite pastime of the Indian media these days for glorifying the BJP?
Propaganda of hatred against Islam, including fabrication of stories of alleged intrigues of Tablighi Jamaat (spitting and defecation, etc.); accusing Muslims of being anti-national and calling them Pakistanis and ISI stooges (especially among Malayalees); And apart from continuously defaming Muslims on the pretext of Jihad, Halala, Triple Talaq, beef-eating, etc., it also includes making such blatant allegations that ‘Muslims of India are deliberately spreading corona virus’.
Recently, journalists have also appealed to constitutional bodies to stop anti-Muslim violence, saying – silence is not an option.
“Only prompt and effective action by our constitutional, statutory and democratic institutions can check and stop such serious tendencies,” the appeal said.
“As journalists and media persons across India, we call upon all these institutions to act and do their duty in the wake of attacks on India’s religious minorities, especially Muslims,” the appeal said.
Those signed in this appeal include former editor-in-chief of ‘The Hindu’ N Ram, senior journalist Mrinal Pandey, editor of The Telegraph R Rajagopal, social activist Teesta Setalvad, Anuradha Bhasin of Kashmir Times, Vibes of India – Deepal Trivedi from Gujarat, Dhanya Rajendran of The Newsminute website, independent journalists Saba Naqvi, Tongam Reena, Onindyo Chakraborty, Kalpana Sharma and Vinod K Jose, executive editor of Caravan magazine.