In an era where professional rivalry is at its peak, and the experienced players often suppress the freshers, display superiority and narcissism, meet this 62-year-old seasoned journalist of Indian media who stands in stark contrast.
Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi, popularly known as KV Lakshmana in the media circle, is a man who believes and embodies a life beyond scoring numbers. He is the founder of Wordcomm group, which is uniting and creating an ecosystem of mutual help sans the vested interest.
KV Lakshmana has been a print media journalist for over three and half decades, both on the copy desk and in-field reporting and writing. He started his career with PTI on its newsdesk, and his initial work experience included local reporting and covering Punjab during the height of its militancy. Eventually, he moved to Hindustan Times (HT), where he spent around 18 years. In between, for a year and a half, he was working with a world bank-supported Public Enterprises reforms program of the Andhra Pradesh government as its Media Advisor. He retired from HT as its Tamil Nadu Bureau Chief in May 2018 and since then freelancing for a couple of publications. He was also invited as a panelist on discussions on TV – about South Indian politics.
“I still enjoy doing human interest stories and regularly contribute to a small digital hyperlocal publication from Chandigarh.”
Listening to his extensive journey in the media, Life Beyond Numbers was fascinated to comprehend what difference he notices as a veteran journalist in today’s journalism/ communication field. According to him, in certain respects, journalism today has become more aggressive, pacy, and competitive.
“But not all changes are beneficial, for the employees. Uncertainty has been built into the work scenario of journalists, with the threat of downsizing hanging over their heads. Besides, the advent of social media has somewhat decreased the dependence of news sources on journalists as a via media, and the sources directly approach the readers/viewers. To that extent, the importance of journalists and journalism has also decreased. In the process, the old style on the field reporting, the hard grind, is missing in today’s journalism.”
He laments that it is a pity that many bright youngsters study to become journalists but get disillusioned at the starting gate itself. They would instead get into public relations or corporate communications, as most of the time, even journalists appear to be doing just that.
Lakshmana thought of a noble and novel initiative between the lows and highs of journalism and the rapidly transmogrifying Indian media. He faced many difficulties while starting from scratch at the age of 50 in a new place like Chennai, where he was posted for Hindustan Times.
“I always used to think if there was such a platform that could help people like me, who had to start as a trainee in terms of names, numbers, domain knowledge and needed guidance. And being 50, it was a challenge to befriend the younger age group, who dominate the profession in general. Because journalists often move to the desk and into different kinds of responsibilities at that age. I had come to Chennai after a stint as the national News Coordinator for Hindustan Times Delhi. So, getting back into the field was a herculean challenge. It was a new turf altogether, and the city was a culture shock. While seeking help, I came across a few groups. But most of them were in Tamil, a language I did not know. It is when I formed the group some four months before I formally retired, in May 2018.“
KV Lakshmana created a WhatsApp group and named it Wordcomm. As journalists deal with ‘words’ and ‘comm’ as in communications, it rolled easily on the tongue. The name he believed fitted the group description to the T.
How does Wordcomm function? How a member is chosen?
“It is an effort to bring together media persons from journalism, public relations, and corp comm to exchange useful information regarding jobs, freelance assignments, contact numbers, and all info of mutual benefit. There is nothing major to consider except a person’s intention to join the group, help if possible and promise to adhere to the group’s objectives. But one thing that we have kept it strict is summary ejection if anyone violates the space.”
His firm determination and noble intention didn’t leave any room for challenges while setting up the group. In fact, the first few members were through word of mouth, and friends came together from different cities and states. A few words on LinkedIn worked wonders as several media colleagues readily joined. The progress was a bit slow in the beginning but later picked up momentum. It began growing organically, and people started requesting to be added to the group.
The membership is free, and one needn’t pay for any help (other than professional engagement).
According to Lakshmana, it is an informal platform for help and support. The money aspect of it never occurred to him; neither it was an objective ever. Meanwhile, explaining the kind of queries / helps/ support are answered and exchanged, he says, anything related to the profession, journalism, PR, communications, and the like. Younger colleagues are on the lookout for internship/openings. Many times there are media lists and or numbers of sources, celebs, etc. Basically, anything and everything, as long as it is professional.
“Personal requests for help is something that I found is being encouraged by members to the extent possible. I think during the pandemic, every one of the members rose to the occasion in spreading messages, in good faith.”
To continue to be a member of the group, the rules are simple. No abusive language, maintaining decorum, and to the extent possible limiting exchanges to professional issues and matters. A strict no is – politics and discussing politics. It also, as a rule, discourages the good mornings and thank you messages and the motivational preaching of any kind.
Often professional insecurities come in the way of helping colleagues/peers. Didn’t he feel he would lose opportunities, especially with an ongoing pandemic and its hard-hitting effect on the job market? Answering it, Lakshmana replied
“I was at the end of my working life of 58 when I formed the group, and I had played my professional innings. I never even thought like that. Besides, I firmly believe that whatever is mine will be mine and vice versa. Moreover, the group was formed to bring all of us together to help each other.”
What has been the most significant or most heart-warming experience when this group gave life-changing opportunities to someone?
“I do not know about others, but I personally have benefitted from the largesse of a few members, whose assignment alerts helped me find an interesting assignment or two. A few members did mention that they found a job/job change. More than this, the group members have been constructive regarding furnishing numbers of sources for stories and suggesting avenues and the like. Anybody who sees an alert anywhere posts thinking it could be of help to someone. It is so shocking (pleasantly) that people in the group are very helpful to each other. We may not know one another, never may have met, but the urge and eagerness to help is something that restores my faith in humanity”
Also, read: This Young Journalist Is Teaching Dance To Underprivileged Kids In Noida
KV shares that he spends around half an hour to an hour for sanctity scanning to ensure that nothing untoward happens. The beauty of this unique platform is that most members don’t know each other and might not meet ever in person, but there is still a sense of solidarity and comradeship. With a sense of justified pride, K V Lakshmana nods, and shares,
“Yes, this is what is shockingly surprising. And especially during the pandemic and even before that as the media was going through turbulent times. Many members were ready to help the other out.”
One has not tried for an in-person meet-up yet. But the response was tepid. In case members are interested, the meet-up is an idea that can be tested, the veteran journalist believes. The humble man, with unparalleled honesty, has some pearls of wisdom as his signing off note. In Lakshmana’s words:
“I am happy that I have taken this initiative. From one group of 256 members, the requests from media colleagues made me start another one, Wordcomm 2, and then when it also filled up, the third one, Wordcomm 3. The third group has also reached the 250 mark. I thank the lord that so many people, few known and many unknown, have thought it fit to join the platform. I should be thanking each and everyone for the support they have been giving. I might not be able to provide them with anything significant in return, but a cup of coffee/tea if and when there is a Meetup.”
One can reach out to KV Lakshmana on Linkedin and Twitter.