Ashmita joined Aawaaj News at a time when its newsroom was just sprouting and laid a strong foundation for the platform’s future. Navigating through one of the most challenging periods in recent history, the COVID-19 lockdown and its impact on millions of lives, Ashmita led Aawaaj News to become one of the most reliable news sources for its thousands of readers, maintaining a clear sense of purpose grounded on principles of equitable representation of marginalised voices. From 2019 to 2022, she gradually built a team of strong in-house as well as freelance writers, photographers, editors, and designers.

Here’s what she has to say about her time at Aawaaj. 

“Absolute editorial freedom at Aawaaj coupled with an enthusiastic team focused on contemporary socio-political issues made work like a passionate ground for exchange of ideas and creativity. We stormed through the COVID-19 lockdown and did some of our best reporting during that time from the front lines. After having worked for various national dailies and radio for nearly 10 years, Aawaaj was finally the platform that allowed me to be the fierce journalist I always dreamt of becoming but was not allowed to.

Two years after leaving Aawaaj News, the hangover lingered and pushed me to go to graduate school. Aawaaj took me places I never thought I’d go, be it the toilets of abortion centers or healthcare centers in rural Bardiya district where there are no doctors, and you bet I made the most of them all. 

Complete editorial independence, constant positive reinforcement, safe work environment, and occasional clinking of glasses to celebrate our achievements – what else does a woman need to successfully lead a newsroom!”