Arguably the most passionate health journalist in the subcontinent, Lucknow-based Amit Dwivedi’s despatches on health and development run in more than a dozen publications around the world, even as awards and encomiums are heaped upon him. Among them: a certificate of merit from the San Francisco department of public health, USA (2002) and a youth leadership award conferred by Prof. (Dr.) Sheldon Cohen, Atlanta, USA (2005).
The latter was bestowed for Dwivedi’s persistent campaign to highlight the evils of smoking and tobacco addiction. “India has the world’s largest youth population which is being targeted by multinationals and domestic cigarette and tobacco companies,” he says. Shunning the powers and perks of journalism in mainstream media, Dwivedi has chosen to write for the Citizen News Service, an organisation that depends on contributions from volunteers, and syndicates development reports and features to 400-plus media publications globally.
“Journalism is a great medium for cause advocacy. But associating with just one publication or organisation limits reach and impact. I focus on grassroots stories from the poorest sections of society. While health isn’t a glamorous subject, it’s a very important one. The health of a society determines its socio-economic development,” says Dwivedi, an alumnus of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Faizabad (UP). Since he began writing in 2007, Dwivedi has covered diverse subjects including agriculture extension services, the rising number of women farmers, linkages between diabetes and tuberculosis, and floods and homelessness. His writing has featured in international publications such as Thai Indian News, Banderas News (Mexico), Op-Ed News, News Blaze (USA) and The Zimbabwe Guardian.
But Dwivedi’s involvement with the trials and tribulations of the poor and marginalised is not restricted to projections in the media. Despite a punishing work schedule, he finds time for volunteer work. “Apart from writing and consultancy assignments, I make time to work with young people. This is necessary as youth — many of whom don’t read — need to be sensitised to crucial issues in an increasingly materialistic and uncaring world,” he says.
Dabbling in numerous development issues has not altered his intrinsic focus. “My top priority is to develop into a perceptive pro-poor writer. I need to tell stories that are missed out, given the mainstream media’s focus on ‘big’ issues. In my opinion, grassroots stories will shape the 21st century world. I want to tell these stories,” says Dwivedi.
Write on!
Vidya Pandit (Lucknow)