The year was 2010 and an epiphany occurred to me. It was about directing my journalistic trajectory towards India’s rural hinterland — which is otherwise underrepresented in the mainstream media. 

That thought, which had found its way out of sheer inanity, I would say, culminated in the next two years after rigorous planning and preparedness… We were novices! We still are, I believe. 

Finally, on December 2, 2012, we launched Gaon Connection — a newspaper solely dedicated to the rural cause. The newspaper was, as I always say, driven by the common public. There was neither a corporate backing for our newspaper nor was it equipped with the experienced journalists which are usually a part and parcel of all news media organisations in general. All we had was the spirit and the passion to do nothing but honest journalism. 

Gaon Connection was driven by the ideal of imagining and realising a newspaper which was run by the unabashed reporters with no pressure or stress of any kind. 

Little did we know that the mission we had undertaken would be full of challenges and quests of myriad hues. These were the days when internet proliferation was not so easily available as it is today. Also was the added difficulty of ensuring the regular supply of our newspaper to the interior pockets of the rural areas. Likewise, we made mistakes, learnt our lessons and continued to tread along our pledged path of being fully committed to honest journalism. 

Awards and accolades

In our newspaper’s maiden year, we bagged the most reputed journalism award in the country — Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. That gave us courage and boosted our fledgling morale. It was a memorable day for me. That evening, at the award ceremony, Gaon Connection stood amongst the biggest and the most reputed media organisations in the country. 

Also Read: Gaon Connection wins Ramnath Goenka. It’s a third in a decade

The years that followed entailed a plethora of difficulties — financial troubles, inadequate understanding of business, technological handicap and the absence of a sales team. All we had in our favour was an unbridled passion to practise honest journalism. 

I also believe that in spite of all the challenges, the manner in which we raised the voice of rural India was unprecedented. I remember it used to fill our hearts with insurmountable joy whenever we learnt about our stories being quoted by the mainstream media organisations.

Whenever our reports raised a clamour in the corridors of power, whenever needy people were provided help because of our reportage, those hospitals that were shut for years, the roads that were unrepaired for ages — Gaon Connection‘s coverage influenced a positive change in all these issues for the rural citizens. 

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Gaon Connection’s sensibility lies in its approach to the rural citizens. We have always considered them to be at par with us. A top down approach in perceiving the rural citizens which is pervasive elsewhere, has no place in our media organisation. The crux is not to talk to the rural people as if we are more informed or knowledgeable than them. 

Documenting rural cultures, cuisines and practices

There was a lot to learn as well! Rural cultures, traditions, rural cuisines, farming, mota anaaj (coarse grains) — millets! The millets which are in vogue now have been consumed in the rural areas for thousands of years. The handicrafts of the rural landscape, whose reach was limited to a few connoisseurs, we tried to maximise its reach with due credits to the creators.

We also identified role models in the rural hinterland. The stories of men, women, and the youth who had achieved incredible success while battling unimaginable struggles were hidden under the cloak of obscurity and neglect. We narrated those stories which further led to the recognition of these achievers who also bagged awards and support from the government.

Also Read: Gaon Connection’s Neetu Singh bags Chameli Devi Jain Award 2020

Gaon Connection also showcased the stories of collective or community success in the rural areas. Villages that successfully eradicated evils like  alcoholism, drug abuse and achieved feats like practising organic farming were narrated with utmost sincerity.

But all of this was not as simple as it sounds. Whenever a news media venture surfaces in India, the questions that strike people are — Who is funding it? What’s their real agenda? What’s their political inclination? 

It wasn’t easy to continue doing what we believed in doing — honest journalism. I have always invited media critics to have a look at our company’s balance sheets. It has taken huge sacrifices to sustain this beautiful organisation. 

Gaon Connection goes digital

We launched our newspaper at a time when the print media at large was receding and the advent of digital media had just commenced. Smartphones found their way to India’s rural areas and with the passage of time, we adapted to the digital realm.

In our tryst with the digital media paradigm, we switched from print to a ‘video-first’ publication. We had a lot of learning to do because I personally belong to the simple, old times of print journalism and most of my colleagues fall in the same category. 

Also Read: Food for thought: Has the fear of COVID-19 changed people’s diets? A Gaon Connection survey finds out

We used the digital space to narrate the stories and showcase the life that is lived by this country’s rural citizens on a daily basis. Also, I am proud that Gaon Connection never stooped to using shortcuts that are prevalent in the digital news media. Neither did it ever practise ‘clickbait’ which is a pandemic in itself. Presenting news with a catchy headline and shallow content below it is something we have been absolutely against.

I would also like to thank the people who worked with us but later pursued other pathways in their life-journeys. Their efforts have been crucial in the making and functioning of Gaon Connection. I wish them the best in life and hope that they will carry the values of Gaon Connection in their hearts wherever they go.

I fondly remember the afternoon in which I briefed my first batch of interns in a small room in a village when we had launched Gaon Connection. I had told them what we have started off is not merely a journey but an expedition, a voyage into the unknown. Today, I am proud of the diverse experiences we had in our nine years of being.

Today, Gaon Connection’s network is spread across 425 districts in India. Last year, we also launched a new company – Gaon Connection Insights – which surveys India’s rural hinterland. Our surveys have also been quoted in this country’s Parliament. 

Our belief in old-style honest journalism is staunch. We hope that in the digital world and the metaverse, Gaon Connection will not lose its connection with its roots and wish that it will continue to grow and flourish.

Thank you for your support, our viewers and readers.