Gitikka Ganju Dhar: A well renowned name in the Indian events industry

Meet Gitikka Ganju Dhar, she is India’s preferred anchor in the Indian live industry.

I do work in other related streams too. I act and I enjoy it immensely, I moderate and I am excitedly building a parallel career as a professional Moderator, says Gitikka. 

We at Bangalore Insider had an opportunity to have an interview with Gitikka. Here are the excerpts.

 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before choosing this field?

I have always been an anchor. From Day One and will be till I stand. I do work in other related streams too. I act and I enjoy it immensely, I moderate and I am excitedly building a parallel career as a professional Moderator. I write content, an indulgence that gives me immense creative satisfaction.  But the solid core of my professional edifice is anchoring, whether on television or as a Live Host. To answer your question, I was completing Masters in Mass Communication form the AKJ Institute of Mass Communication, Jamia, Delhi. I was cameraperson on our final film in the last year, when I was offered a television show to host. And I have hosted this marvelous career as a talker since.

 

How did you land up doing what you do now?

In personal life, I talk very little. It is my daughter who makes sure I talk. Left to me, I’d rather sit silently with a cup of tea and look out the window. To say that I love to talk, would be misrepresenting the love affair that I have had with talk over the last two decades. To say, this was what God ordained for me, would be more truthful. I did not decide to be an anchor. I was not aware that that there was a category such as this. I was training to be a filmmaker at the AKJ Mass Communication Research Centre at Jamia Millia Islamia. I was all set to apply for a job as a camera person in a leading news television production house. Our college had these massive studios that professional producers would hire for shoots. One of them offered me a television show, to host. So actually, I started my career in talk with television. I then got a call from Magnum Nexus, a leading event management agency of the time who was handling the presence of Honda Cars at the Auto Expo. I was auditioned and selected as one of the two main anchors of the seven day event. So, yes, technically I did not struggle. I was paid very well. I decided to venture further, spent a few years musing over the decision. Meanwhile the industry started calling and work began pouring in steadily. I had taken off before I even knew it, even before I was fully sure that this is what I wanted to do. Steve Jobs had once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Looking back, I can now connect the proverbial dots.

What motivates you?

The quest for perfection. Nothing less from me, works for me. I know that perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we may just attain excellence. My end goal is to only do the job at hand, to the best of my ability. So, in that sense, I have a short term vision. I rarely look up from the drawing board and gauge where I have reached. Fame and money do not primarily motivate me. I see them as a part of the game. To deliver something awesome, that gets me going. I earlier saw it as a drawback. I now see the million pieces of jobs done right, coming together. One should have a long term vision about where ones career is headed and how one must get there. But the focus should be in the moment. Karm kar, phal ki chinta mat kar.

 

How do you plan to stay ahead of your competitors?

I steer clear of the word competition. It puts a lot of pressure on the workings of the mind. The easier approach is to just deliver fabulousness and magnificence. The rest will fall in place. I know what everyone is doing, but I refuse to run a race with anyone. It saps energy and drains positivity. As a mother I need to be a positive, buoyant and a happy person. So, I am very clear that I will be happy for colleagues who have worked hard to gain success. Whether  or not they want to do the same in my case.

 

If not the current profession, what would you have been?

A writer, an actor or I would have had a solid career in public service.

 

Were your parents supportive of what you are doing? What impact have they had on your life?

My parents are one in a million. Yes, they were and are supportive of my choice of vocation. When I chose to pursue anchoring as my mainstay, many sniggered at the choice. They took it all in and sat back as I ploughed. It is a good thing you know, to let your children fly. A good thing, though, not an easy one. The process can throw at you moments of scarring doubt, but, selfless parents dig their heels in. Eventually, vindication does come. Post the birth of my daughter, they continue to be a solid support, pitching in when I travel. And the most moving part is that they expect nothing in return.  Whatever the impact my decisions could have had on me, they braced that impact. They were a shield. That is their impact in on my life.

 

What are your plans for the next 2 years?

To structure and get on the road, my career as a Moderator and Chat Show Host. To explore new realms as an anchor. To act, finally do the thing I dreamt of as a kid. To actively engage in public service.  And, to enjoy life.  All the big things and the small that are blessings.

 

What does a typical day off from work consist of for you?

What is that! I may take a break from work, but remember, I am a mom, and that is a constant assignment. As full of joy it may be, it is a responsibility, a concern ticking away 24 by 7 in your head.  The true blue, blow the worries in the wind, happens only on a holiday. That is when I let go and just be.

 

Any regrets till now? If yes, will you like to share it with our readers?

Many of them.  Everyone has regrets. What matters is how you deal with them. I am a private person.  As if some, subconscious cardinal rule, I am unable to share regrets openly. I share them with my closest circle, but not beyond. So, sorry, no can tell.

 

If you were given a choice of meeting any person you want, who will be that person?

Barack Obama. Mahatma Gandhi. Meryl Streep. See, I gave you three.

 

 

Any message that you want to send to your readers?

To take care of our bodies, we eat well, exercise and make sure to get enough sleep. That’s our internal environment. The environment that surrounds us, the air, soil, water and ecosystems  are equally important for our health and the health and well -being of others. The future of our children depends of us. It is a call that needs to be addressed like a war cry would. Everyone, from governments to individuals of all ages and abilities, can play an important role as stewards of the environment. Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth,  these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women’s empowerment. Solutions to one problem may be solutions for all. And always remember what Margaret Mead has said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“ You do you bit. That is a start.

 

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