Motherhood teaches you to be strong and become a multitasker: Vijayalaxmi Thakur

This Mother’s Day, let us see what Vijaya Laxmi Thakur’s life looks like as a journalist and a mom. The journalist, who is working as a Special Correspondent at Hindusthan Samachar News Agency talks to QNA about how she strikes the perfect balance at work and home, what all challenges she being a mother has faced in the total of 16 years of working experience as a journalist.

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?

Vijaya Laxmi Thakur: No work is easy or tough, it is how you deal with it. Journalism as a field is a little different from others because you are required to have an understanding of a variety of things simultaneously. So, you need to read, research, and there are a little more time-consuming field sessions too. Yes, it is difficult to balance new inning of life and a reporting career but I must say that motherhood teaches you lots of things. In fact, the journey of nine months of pregnancy and post-pregnancy days taught me to be mentally strong. I am fortunate to have my mom with me and with her support I could sail this journey easily. Otherwise, it would be difficult to continue in this profession.

Also, I believe that if one has that fire, passion for something, then they would not leave it rather cannot leave so easily. Motherhood teaches you to be strong and also to become a multitasker.

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

Vijaya Laxmi Thakur: Every working woman has to face this dilemma and without the family’s support, it’s difficult but not impossible, as I said earlier in my case I have my parents’ full support that’s why I could carry on my work.

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

Vijaya Laxmi Thakur: The hardest thing is to leave your baby crying when you go office and the best thing is her hug and lots of stories that she has to tell me when I come back.

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?

Vijaya Laxmi Thakur: Gender discrimination and inequality is everywhere, especially in Hindi journalism where less number of women journalists work. It’s a part of the coin. Though obviously, irrespective of this barrier, so many women journalists have made a mark in this field. All one needs is to be practical and hopeful.