From Schoolboy to Staff Reporter: My Journalistic Journey

 

From Schoolboy to Staff Reporter: My Journalistic Journey 

By John Aguiar 

​For me, journalism wasn’t just a career choice—it was a calling that began while he was still in school. His journey reflects the evolution of the Goan press, from the era of Portuguese-language tabloids to the digital age, marked by high-stakes reporting and a deep commitment to the community.

​Early Beginnings and Mentorship

​My career launched in 1978 at O Heraldo, which was then a Portuguese-Konkani daily. While still a student, I served as a reporter for the paper's Konkani section. My transition into the English-language press happened almost by accident. While a student at Chowgule College in Margão, I often delivered press notes to the West Coast Times office.

​It was there that Valmiki Faleiro recognized my potential and recruited me as the Ponda correspondent. Under the mentorship of Faleiro and Bureau Chief Gurudas ‘Kaka’ Singbal, I learned the ropes of the "daily beat," transitioning from typewriters to the computers that would eventually transform the industry.

​Breaking the Big Stories

​My career is defined by several landmark reports that captured the political and social pulse of Goa:

​The "Presidential Curtain": During President Giani Zail Singh’s visit to Ponda, I broke the story of how authorities used white curtains to hide local slums from the President’s view. The story made front-page news.

​The Charles Sobhraj Files: As a crime reporter, I used his network to gain access to the interrogation statements of the notorious "Bikini Killer" Charles Sobhraj and his associate David Hall after their arrest. His three-day "bottomspread" series on their planned escape from Tihar Jail became a career highlight.

​Prime Ministerial Encounters: I once managed to talk his way onto a requisitioned ferry during the late 1980s (following the collapse of the Mandovi Bridge) to secure an exclusive interview with then-Prime Minister V.P. Singh.

​Reporting Under Fire

​The job was not without its dangers. During the Konkani language agitation, I was on the front lines. I witnessed firsthand the police lathi charges against activists and journalists. These experiences led to significant reforms, including the Department of Information and Publicity issuing "Press" shoulder bands to help identify and protect journalists during civil unrest.

​A Legacy of Leadership

​I was a pioneer in organizing the local journalistic community in Goa. I  helped found the Ponda Taluka Journalists Association—the first taluka-level association in the state—and later served as Vice President of the revived South Goa Journalists Association (SGJA).

​A Professional and Personal Union

​Interestingly, My  professional life and personal life converged at O Heraldo. It was at the newspaper that I met my wife, Savita, who worked in the accounts department. In a lighthearted nod to his reputation, a subsequent anniversary issue of the paper joked in its editorial that their "crime reporter" had "eloped" with an accounts staffer to New Delhi.

​Reflecting on the Craft

​Today, I emphasize a shift in journalistic values advocating  for moving away from the "get it first" mentality toward a "get it right" philosophy. To me, journalism remains one of the most rewarding careers in India—not just for the thrill of the scoop, but for the ability to serve as a pillar of democracy and a voice for the community.