The bustling newsroom of a TV broadcast media house. Vikram, the seasoned Chief News Editor, is mentoring Veda, a young journalist eager to make a mark. Intern Sowndarawali, sharp and curious, listens in, occasionally chiming in with practical insights.
Veda: Vikram, you always talk about journalism being more than just chasing numbers. The other day, I read this bit from the Gita—something about acting for everyone’s good. Can you break down that verse you mentioned, Chapter 3, Verse 20, and how it fits with what we do?
Vikram: Oh, for sure, Veda. The Gita’s got plenty to say about purpose, and this verse is basically calling us out—in a good way. Here’s the Sanskrit, just for the vibe:
कर्मणैव हि संसिद्धिमास्थिता जनकादयः।
लोकसंग्रहमेवापि सम्पश्यन्कर्तुमर्हसि॥
Karmanaiva hi samsiddhim āsthitā janakādayah,
Lokasangraham evāpi sampaśyan kartum arhasi.)
By performing their prescribed duties, leaders like King Janaka attained perfection. You too should act, keeping in mind the welfare of the world (lokasangraha).
Or, more or less: “Hey, people like King Janaka? They nailed it in life by doing their duty. You should act, too, but with everyone’s well-being in mind.”
What Krishna’s telling Arjuna (and, honestly, all of us stuck in the grind) is: don’t just hustle for your own gain. Do your work thinking about the bigger picture. That “lokasangraha” thing? It’s about pulling society along, not just yourself. So, in our newsroom? We’re here to inform, connect, and lift people up—not just serve up clickbait or stoke drama for ratings.
Veda: That’s all deep and stuff, but like… how? Newsrooms are pressure cookers. We’ve got to break stories, get those clicks, and keep the ad guys happy. How do we really work for “everyone’s welfare” in that chaos?
Vikram: Right, I hear you. The Gita isn’t saying, “Ditch your job.” It’s more: “Do your job, but don’t lose the plot.” We’re supposed to report the truth, but the *why* matters. Are we fanning the flames just for views, or are we shining a light where it’s needed? Like, if we’re covering crime, are we just hyping up the gore, or are we digging into why it happens—poverty, broken systems, corruption? That’s us doing the lokasangraha thing. Using our platform to, you know, actually help.
Sowndarawali (barging in): Sorry to butt in, but I’ve got a simple example. Saw a channel last week cover a slum fire—cue the sad music, crying faces, zero context. I kept thinking: why not dig into *why* these fires happen? Is it bad wiring? No safety rules? If we did that, maybe someone in power would finally pay attention. Isn’t that what the verse is getting at?
Vikram: Nailed it, Sowndarawali. That’s exactly it. The Gita isn’t saying “ignore the news,” but “frame it so it helps.” Give the people whose stories get drowned out a voice. Ask: does this inform or just exploit? Does it help, or just split people up? That’s the real test.
Veda: I get it, but honestly, sometimes people just want drama. Scandals, fights, stuff that’s easy to click. If we stick to “serious” issues, won’t we just lose our audience?
Vikram: That’s a fair worry, but remember—Krishna told Arjuna to do the right thing, not sweat the outcome. For us? It’s about making the important stuff compelling. Use sharp visuals, tell real stories, put a face to the issues. Lokasangraha’s like your North Star. Like, instead of “Politician Busted!” maybe try, “How Corruption Hits Your Wallet.” Still juicy, but it helps people think, not just gawk.
Sowndarawali: Oh, just like this docu I watched on farmers. It wasn’t just a sob story—it dug into what policies failed, and even showed stuff that worked elsewhere. I shared it with my friends because it made me *think*, not just feel bad. That’s what we should do, right?
Vikram: Bingo. That’s the Gita in real life, right there. It’s about doing right by your audience and the folks you’re covering. Lift up the voices nobody hears—farmers, frontline workers, whoever’s usually ignored. Media can do more than just report; we can actually push things forward.
Veda: So, it’s about intention and impact. But what if our bosses just want stuff that sells? How do we sell them on this lokasangraha thing?
Vikram: That’s the tough bit, but here’s the thing—leadership’s about setting the tone. Krishna tells Arjuna, “Leaders set the example.” If you pitch stories that hit both the public good and the bottom line—like a series on climate change that pulls in both viewers and environmentally-aware sponsors—you can turn lokasangraha into a win-win. Gotta be a bit sneaky, plant those seeds for change even in a boardroom obsessed with profit.
Sowndarawali: Okay, hear me out—what if we kicked off a weekly thing called “Stories That Matter”? Each week we zoom in on a real social issue, like, say, education for kids who usually get ignored. But here’s the twist: we actually show people’s lives, not just boring old numbers. It’d be the kind of stuff you wanna share with your mom—or your group chat. And you know advertisers would eat it up, because it’s got that warm-and-fuzzy vibe but it’s not fake. Win for society, right?
Vikram: Sowndarawali, you genius! That’s totally the kind of vibe the Gita’s all about. You’re not just doing your job—you’re leveling up and actually helping people. Krishna would be proud, honestly. Do something for the greater good, and suddenly your work means something, plus you’re helping others. Can’t get more win-win than that.
Veda: Oh wow, I think I finally get it. So, we aim for stories that lift people up, skip the drama and the clickbait, and remember we’re supposed to be journalists, not hype machines. But, real talk—how do we keep this up when the news is always a mess?
Vikram: That’s where having a clear sense of “why” comes in. Make lokasangraha your North Star. Before you say yes to any story, just ask yourself: Is this actually helping people? If it’s just gonna rile folks up or sell them junk, maybe pass. Do this long enough, and bam—you’re the news team people trust for real, meaningful stuff. That’s how you leave a mark.
Sowndarawali: It’s kinda like planting a tree instead of just chopping one down for a quick campfire. Trees take ages, but in the end? Everybody gets some shade. That’s what our stories should do—grow something good, even if it takes a minute.
Vikram: Nailed it, Sowndarawali. Veda, you see this? The Gita isn’t just for the old timers—it works for everyone, newbies included. Just keep that verse in your back pocket, let it steer your writing, your filming, all of it.
Veda: I’m fired up, Vikram. I’ll start pitching stories with lokasangraha in mind. Maybe we even run a workshop for the team on this stuff.
Vikram: That’s what I wanna hear. Start small, dream way bigger. Every story you put out there? It’s a shot at making the world suck a little less.
Sowndarawali (with a wise grin): You know, Vikram, Veda, it’s simple—our newsroom isn’t just a studio; it’s a garden. Plant stories that bloom hope, not weeds that choke it. That’s how we make the world a better place, one broadcast at a time.
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