Behind the Headlines with Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava: A Journey of Legacy, Resilience & Reinvention
In an age where news is often driven by noise instead of nuance, Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava stands tall, an unapologetic voice rooted in truth, conviction, and lived experience. A fourth-generation journalist, author, and former NDTV anchor, Jyotsna has worn many hats. But whether she’s writing hard-hitting columns or anchoring national news, she remains grounded in integrity and clarity.
In this compelling episode of The AboutHer Show, host Sangeeta Relan sits down with Jyotsna to explore her journey, from her early days in a newsroom to becoming an author and thought leader on issues like gender, media, mental health, and resilience.
About Jyotsna Mohan Bhargava
Jyotsna is a respected columnist, a former senior anchor at NDTV, and the author of Stoned, Shamed, Depressed and her latest book, Pratap: The Defiant Newspaper, co-authored with her father. She also hosts Table Talk with Jo, a YouTube talk show known for its calm, respectful, and meaningful conversations, a refreshing alternative to the often combative tone of modern media.
Also Read: Instruments of Truth- Aparna Sanyal on Writing, Resilience & The Road Less Travelled
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
1. Evolve with the Times
One of the strongest messages from this conversation is Jyotsna’s life mantra:
“The name of this journey called life is to constantly evolve and go with the tide. Don’t box yourself in.”
This guiding belief has helped her transition between roles, television anchor, print columnist, author, and now, digital creator, without losing her core identity.
2. The Power of Family Legacy
Jyotsna’s roots run deep in journalism. Her grandfather, a freedom fighter, rejected gender-based traditions like kanyadaan as early as the 1920s. Her latest book, Pratap, named after the family’s newspaper launched in 1919, celebrates not just journalism but a progressive ethos that’s been passed down through generations.
3. Writing as Resistance
To Jyotsna, storytelling is both an act of creativity and an act of courage. Her writing, fiction or non-fiction, is never just about content; it’s about meaning. Fiction, she shares, allows her to explore truths in ways facts sometimes can’t. Journalism, on the other hand, is about speaking truth to power. And for that, one must have a voice, and the courage to use it.
4. Navigating Motherhood and a Career
Like many working women, Jyotsna had to step back from a flourishing media career to focus on motherhood. But she returned, reinvented, and rebuilt, through writing, creating her own platform, and finding a rhythm that allowed both her personal and professional identities to coexist. Her advice to mothers: “You have to believe that your time will come again. Fight for it.”
5. Holding Ground Against Patriarchy and Trolls
From being trolled by anonymous men to confronting ageism on social media, Jyotsna refuses to be silenced. She reminds us that visibility is power, and calling out misogyny is necessary. “We are not here to be slotted,” she says. “We are mainstream. We deserve our place in the sun.”
Pratap: The Defiant Newspaper
Her latest book, co-authored with her father, is a tribute to a revolutionary newspaper and a family legacy built on fearlessness. It tells the story of Pratap, launched in Lahore in 1919, and its role in India’s freedom struggle and cultural discourse.
Advice for the Next Generation
For aspiring writers, journalists, or simply anyone trying to find their voice in a loud world, Jyotsna offers simple yet powerful advice:
- Read deeply and widely. It broadens your world and helps you think critically.
- Question what you see online. Don’t accept social media narratives as truth.
- Build more than one skill. In uncertain times, versatility is your safety net.
- Don’t seek validation. Ask for opportunities because you deserve them, not in comparison to others, but on your own merit.
Also Read: Nidhi Razdan – Life is Short. Do What Makes You Happy
She also stresses the importance of responding with dignity, even when the world doesn’t always do the same. Ghosted by guests or trolled online, she always replies with grace, refusing to play power games. “Everyone deserves the dignity of a response,” she says.
What This Episode Leaves You With
This conversation is a powerful reminder that reinvention isn’t about discarding the past, it’s about bringing it with you, reshaped, into your next chapter. Whether you’re a journalist, a writer, a parent, or someone simply in transition, Jyotsna’s journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom.
Listen to the full podcast here: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Audible | YouTube
Call to Action
If this episode moved you, here’s how you can support and stay connected:
✅ Share this episode with someone reinventing themselves
✅ Buy and review Pratap: The Defiant Newspaper
✅ Subscribe to Table Talk with Jo on YouTube
✅ Sign up for the AboutHer newsletter for weekly inspiration from voices that matter
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About the Author: Sangeeta Relan
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I’m Sangeeta Relan—an educator, writer, podcaster, researcher, and the founder of AboutHer. With over 30 years of experience teaching at the university level, I’ve also journeyed through life as a corporate wife, a mother, and now, a storyteller.
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