The Editor Who Showed Me the Way
By John Aguiar
My journey into the world of journalism began with a single person who saw potential in me before I could see it in myself. I had worked earlier with West Coast Times but I never had the opportunity to interact much with the Editor Mr M.G. Bailur. We interacted with the News Editor Mr Baptista and the Chief Reporter Mr. S Valmiki Faleiro.
Therefore Rajan Narayan was my first editor at OHeraldo whom I had the opportunity to interract, he didn't just give me a job; he opened the door to my entire career. I was just a young lad, fresh out of college, when Rajan took a chance on me. He believed in my ability, and in return, I worked tirelessly to prove him right.
Learning the Craft
Under Rajan’s guidance, I was rewarded with patience, professionalism, and a diverse range of assignments that exposed me to the true "rich contours" of the news business.
In the beginning, my stories were tucked away in the middle of the paper. But as I honed my skills, my work moved to the front page. Some of the most memorable moments of my early career included:
Covering the visit of President Giani Zail Singh.
Reporting on the unveiling of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Ponda by then-Minister AB Vajpayee.
The three-day "bottom spread" investigative series on the Charles Sobhraj case.
Reporting from the Front Lines
Those were intense days. I remember the language agitation, where I was assigned to cover the "lathi charge" at Agacaim. I was on the spot where the action was taking place, witnessing history unfold. We also covered similar unrest at Goa Doordarshan and Customs, where our photographer, Menino Afonso, was unfortunately injured in the line of duty.
A Professional and Personal Turning Point
Joining OHeraldo changed my life in more ways than one. It was there that I met my future wife, Savita, who worked in the accounts department. I later learned—with a bit of a wink—that Savita might have been the reason I was eventually transferred to Margao as Bureau In-charge!
When we finally married, an editorial in the next anniversary issue jokingly noted: "My crime reporter John Aguiar married my accounts staff Savita and eloped with her to New Delhi."
From the Newsroom to the Capital
The transition to New Delhi happened when Eduardo Faleiro, then the Union External Affairs Minister, requested a personal assistant. Without hesitation, Rajan recommended me. I met the Minister at the Circuit House, and soon after, I was working in his office in the capital.
On my final day at the paper, Rajan gave me a letter of appreciation—a document that proved invaluable when I eventually joined the State Information & Publicity Department.
The Legacy of Mentorship
I have always believed that the relationship between a journalist and an editor is built on mutual respect and cooperation. A great editor doesn't just edit copy; they nurture talent and push you to find the stories that matter most to the readers.
To me, Rajan Narayan was the ultimate mentor. He was the editor who shaped my path.
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