Within the dense forests of Bastar, the place each rustling leaf speaks of battle and braveness, Mukesh Chandrakar emerged not simply as a journalist however as a voice of the unvoiced. For me, he wasn’t only a colleague; he was a companion-a confidant who shared in moments of affection, laughter, and even scoldings. Mukesh was somebody you could not ignore, a relentless spirit who made you consider within the energy of storytelling.
A Buddy, A Learner
I keep in mind how we used to speak each week, generally each 10 days. He would share tales about Bastar, his newest reviews, or simply chat about life. As soon as, I observed he had a behavior of carrying a chunni (scarf) throughout his piece-to-camera. I teased him about it, saying, “Mukesh, you are a journalist. Venture an expert picture.” He laughed it off, however the subsequent time he appeared on digital camera, the chunni was gone. That second mirrored his willingness to be taught and adapt with out taking offense.
Persistence In Robust Calls for
As editors, we regularly demand perfection-multiple takes, completely different angles, or further pictures. Mukesh dealt with all of it with grace. Not as soon as did he complain or lose his mood. As a substitute, he delivered what was wanted, each time, with the identical unwavering dedication.
The Roots Of Resilience
Mukesh’s bond with Bastar ran deep. As soon as, throughout a journey from Bijapur to Basaguda with our colleague Nilesh, he pointed to the ruins of a home hidden amidst tamarind timber and mentioned, “This was my residence.” His voice was calm, however the weight of historical past was unmistakable.
Born in Basaguda, Mukesh misplaced his father in 1993 when he was simply two years previous. His mom, an Anganwadi employee, raised him and his elder brother amidst the shadows of battle. In 2005, as Salwa Judum terrorized Bastar, Mukesh, then within the eighth grade, noticed his village torn aside. Naxalites focused those that attended Salwa Judum conferences, whereas Judum members attacked those that refused.
“Earlier, we roamed freely, performed, fished with out concern. However quickly, even going 500 meters to the river turned a danger,” he as soon as recalled.
A Mom’s Energy
Mukesh typically spoke of his mom’s bravery. When rumors unfold that his elder brother and a pal, Tikku, had been becoming a member of the police, Naxalites summoned them to a Jan Adalat. Mukesh’s mom, in his brother’s absence, stood earlier than the Naxalites, pleading for his or her lives. Tikku was brutally overwhelmed, however her braveness saved her son.
By December 2005, the household moved to a Salwa Judum aid camp. Life there was harsh-rations had been full of weevils, and survival was a every day battle. For 2 years, Mukesh and his brother communicated with their mom solely by way of letters. Once they lastly reunited in 2008, Mukesh recalled, “Maa hugged me for half an hour, as if attempting to make up for all of the misplaced time.”
The Storyteller In The Making
Mukesh’s journalism was formed by these early struggles. He noticed firsthand how Salwa Judum leaders turned contractors, benefiting from substandard rations equipped to camps. He witnessed boys his age armed first with sticks, later with weapons, as they turned Particular Police Officers (SPOs). His tales had been private as a result of they mirrored his personal life. He would typically say, “We collected Mahua not for happiness, however for survival.”
In 2011, Mukesh misplaced his mom to most cancers. Her last want was to be buried beside her husband, with a bit of their residence’s roof positioned close to her grave-a custom of their neighborhood. Mukesh spent hours looking out by way of the ruins of their residence for a bit of the roof. “I did not know if it was ours or another person’s, however I needed to fulfill her want,” he informed Nilesh.
Mahua Collector To Journalist
Mukesh’s journey was certainly one of transformation. From amassing Mahua and dealing in a storage to changing into Bastar’s most trusted journalist, his life was a testomony to resilience. Training in Basaguda was a luxurious, but Mukesh pursued it with dedication. He dreamt of changing into a collector, however journalism turned his true calling.
His YouTube channel, Bastar Junction, reached over 1.65 lakh subscribers. At NDTV, Mukesh reported fearlessly on points starting from tribal migration to crumbling infrastructure and authorities corruption.
Braveness That Knew No Bounds
In 2021, Mukesh risked his life to rescue CRPF Cobra Commando Rakeshwar Singh Manhas from Naxalite captivity. Driving a motorbike with Manhas behind him, Mukesh introduced him again safely-a second that symbolized his braveness and dedication.
The Value Of Reality
In his last report, together with Nilesh, Mukesh uncovered a highway with 35 potholes in a single kilometre, highlighting the negligence of corrupt contractors. The report led to swift authorities motion, nevertheless it additionally price Mukesh his life. These implicated in his story silenced him ceaselessly.
A Buddy’s Reminiscence
Vijay Morla, Mukesh’s childhood pal, mentioned, “We collected Mahua collectively, dreamt of higher lives collectively. Mukesh made these goals a reality-not only for himself, however for all of us.” He remembers Mukesh’s resourcefulness: organising a small store, forming a carrom membership, or just discovering pleasure in small victories.
NDTV’s Vikas Tiwari, who labored carefully with Mukesh, remembers, “As soon as, a district collector requested Mukesh, ‘Weren’t you planning to grow to be a collector?’ Mukesh replied, ‘Within the race to grow to be a collector, I turned a journalist as a substitute.’ That was Mukesh-always rooted, all the time sincere.”
A Legacy Etched In Bastar
Mukesh’s story is a reminder of the worth of fact and the energy it takes to pursue it. His life and work mirrored the struggles of Bastar and the spirit of its individuals. As his voice echoes by way of the forests of Bastar, it reminds us that whereas fact will be silenced, it can’t be buried.
(Mukesh Chandrakar, 1991-2025)
Anurag Dwary is Resident Editor, NDTV.
Disclaimer: These are the non-public opinions of the creator