Happiness is when the girl says her mother is different from others: Smita Singh

Maintaining a balance between the roles of a homemaker, employee, and a mother can be quite stressful. On this Mother’s Day, in an exclusive interview with QNAindia.com, Smita Singh shared how she deals with this problem by effectively managing her time.

The veteran journalist also shared her thoughtful insights on several issues, including gender discrimination, challenges of being a working mum and career-family dilemmas.

Currently, Smita Singh is working with Dainik Jagran as a Feature Writer. She has also co-authored two books, Vividha and Naya Savera. Earlier, she worked with ETv Patna and Amar Bharti newspaper.

Striking an equilibrium between work and motherhood is not an easy task, especially on top position in the field of journalism. So how do you manage your personal and professional life?

Smita Singh: Clearing the ‘ifs and buts’ means doubts, I manage personal and professional life. I always set my priorities. If my home needs me more, than I don’t think about other things. I know that I always give my best to the office, so my senior would understand my situation. I never mingle between office and home.

Today, a constant dilemma of ‘career vs family’ is being faced by a large proportion of working mothers. How do you view this conundrum?

Smita Singh: The dilemma of choice between career and family always remains with women. Women at the top of the corporate world also often admit this in their interviews. We have to get out of these dilemmas and go to our work thinking that we have to be the inspiration for women who are dreaming of becoming like us.

What’s the hardest thing about being a working mom; and what’s the best thing?

Smita Singh: I am saying based on my experience and it is estimated that most of this will happen to a working mother – when she leaves her daughter at home and goes to work and my daughter Tanishi says – Mom do I still have to wait for 8 hours today? It is a very difficult moment. Happiness is when the girl says mother you are different from others. You write good things, your name appeared in the newspaper today. Don’t ever think about leaving the job. It seems to me to be the biggest prize.

Women journalists face several challenges, including unfair representation, negative societal attitudes, and the gender pay gap. Do you think media organizations should ensure gender equality?

Smita Singh: Many media publications have started this initiative. I have never been discriminated against on the basis of gender. Literature and spirituality are generally considered to be serious works. I have been working on this in my organisation for the last twelve years. You would love to know that the Jagran feature team has women reporting and men handling the desk. Secondly, women should never compromise on work. If you have talent, it is possible to be treated with a little discrimination in the beginning, but in the end, you will definitely win this discrimination. With this belief in mind, go to the workplace every day.