True to facts…

In spite of several path-breaking stories to his credit,like the one proving the International Panel on Climate Change Report on melting of the Himalayan glaciers to be wrong,Bagla prefers to be humble about his work. “The success of the Himalayan glaciers story,which nullified a UN-approved body’s report,was a moment of glory. But I don’t dwell on my stories. I move on,” he said.

In today’s world where words like ‘climate change,’ ‘eco-tourism’ and ‘global warming’ have become household terms,there is need,more often than not,for the media to come forward and cater more for science and environment-related stories to the people in a language they understand,thinks Bagla.

“People will read science-related stories only if it interests them. A good story must be completely dejargonised. Doing that within a specific time limit is difficult. But we have to strive for that,” he said,adding that it took him 25 years to master the craft. Case in point is his excellent coverage of India’s maiden mission to the moon — Chandrayaan-1 — both in English and Hindi.

With the Bhopal Gas Tragedy hitting the headlines last week,I could not help myself asking two obvious questions: what happens when a journalist starts feeling strongly for or against one party in issues like this? And,is it really possible to report neutrally in such cases?

A smiling Bagla says,”People want to know facts…about both parties,in any story. We have to remember that we are just the medium. I am a human being and I do have my opinions. But my work should never reflect that… otherwise it will be biased.”

Regarding the second query he thinks,”If one starts feeling too strongly about an issue,one should stop writing about it. A good journalist must know how to distance himself from a story and then analyse it. Neutrality and objectivity are ideals we should strive to achieve all through our lives.”

Bagla has authored several books,the most well-known being ‘Destination Moon: India’s quest for Moon,Mars and Beyond.’ published by HarperCollins India Private Ltd (2008) and ‘Trees of India,’ a large format pictorial book published by Timeless Books in 2000. A photojournalist whose works have been published in prestigious newspapers and journals like National Geographic,Time,Nature,New Scientist,Scientific American,Newsweek,Elle and The Economist,Bagla has won accolades for his photo exhibition on water issues titled “Drops of Water,” which was displayed globally in New Delhi,Mumbai,Pune,Bhopal and Washington DC.

Whether a story is completely science based or is related to complex socio-political issues,“a journalist should always ask the right question to the right person at the right time,” thinks Bagla. “I deal with the space and astronomy,the most secretive departments under the government. Still I get the information I require. It is not easy,I had to devote 25 years to get here,” he says.

In 2006,Bagla was conferred the ‘National Award for Outstanding Effort in Science & Technology Communication in Print Medium’,the highest honour of its kind for science journalism in India,given by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. Previously,in 2003 he became the first Indian to win the ‘Outstanding Journalism’ award from the United Nation’s sponsored Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR),the world’s apex body looking after agricultural research and headquartered at the World Bank,Washington DC.

“I keep reminding myself that we reporters are nothing more than mirrors to the society. The motto of my life is to remain a good,honest reporter,” Bagla,unfazed by all the adulations,signs off.