Rajat Sharma shared inspiring stories of life in Rotary event, told interesting stories

Mumbai: India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma shared interesting stories of his life’s struggle, beginning of journalism and the show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ at the Rotary District event organized on Saturday in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. When asked about his childhood, Rajat Sharma said, ‘Childhood was not as wonderful as what you see on screen today.’ During a special conversation, he told about his family, childhood memories, struggling life and father’s lessons. He told how once in his childhood, his neighbor had closed the window so that he could not watch TV, but when his father saw him on TV after many years, he said, ‘Now I can leave the world in peace.’

Rajat Sharma remembered the Emergency period

Talking about the Emergency period, Rajat Sharma narrated the story of Shri Ram College days, friendship with Arun Jaitley and living underground. He said that there was no source of information at that time, so he started a small newspaper in the form of a pamphlet to make people aware. He told that despite facing police beatings in Tihar Jail, he was never afraid. At the time of his arrest, his father had told him, ‘If the allegations are true, then do not be afraid.’

‘The first show in Aap Ki Adalat was of Lalu ji’

Rajat Sharma told that after doing M.Com, he had thought that he would become a teacher, but he learned writing and got his first job in 1983 at a salary of Rs 750 per month. In 1985, he joined a magazine in Mumbai and worked there for 8 years. Rajat Sharma explained in detail about the beginning of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’. He told that Zee TV started in 1992. Ramesh Chauhan and Gulshan Grover met Subhash Chandra in the flight and after that the concept of the court was discussed. He told that the first show was of Lalu Yadav on 12 February 1992.

‘The first episode of Aap Ki Adalat changed life’

Rajat Sharma said, ‘Lalu ji called that he is coming, he is bringing two cameramen with him. Some laborers were working nearby. Lalu ji said, make these people also sit. Namita ji was persuaded to make her a judge. The show started, but someone said that the coconut had not been broken. By doing this, the show went very well, but later it was found that the audio was not recorded. All the questions were re-recorded and that show changed my whole life. Regarding making the guest comfortable, he said, ‘I myself am very nervous but after hearing my wife Ritu’s voice, when she says 10 seconds are left, then my mind becomes calm.’

‘We never disrespected any guest’

Rajat Sharma said, ‘We never disrespected any guest. We always tell guests that if there is any mistake, we will fix it. Let’s ask questions about the public’s mind. The show is completely unscripted, nothing is decided in advance. Regarding Arun Jaitley’s show, he told that at the time of demonetization he asked tough questions, then after the show my wife Ritu said that you did not do right with your friend. Rajat Sharma said, ‘Jaitley ji later said, your job is to ask questions, I am proud of you. Such kind hearted people are rarely found.

‘In the beginning there was no money even to pay salaries’

Narrating the story of the beginning of India TV, Rajat Sharma said that he was inspired by a freedom fighter and an elderly couple for this. Rajat Sharma said, ‘Initially there was no money even to pay the salary, but along with Ritu, he faced all the problems and started the channel. Taught the editorial team that people’s time is valuable, hence correct news should be given. On the question of receiving Padma Bhushan, he said, ‘It did not feel anything special, just the love of the people is special. The biggest honor is the love of the people.

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