So I just got laid off from News9. I could not take anything in writing, and will likely lose my gratuity, just one month before I become eligible for it. They have also blocked three months of pay, so I have to financially struggle for two months now. Will get a final settlement, hopefully that will give me some savings. They basically asked me to resign at gunpoint. Something similar had happened to my dad 26 years ago, and he never talks much about it. It was a shock, and I have to find another desk. The thing is there are not too many newsrooms that do both Science and Tech in Mumbai. Right now I have a bunch of choices to make...
1. Continue working in media as a journalist or jump to corp comm.
2. Stay in Delhi or move to Mumbai
The two are kind of linked together, if I move to Mumbai, I cannot continue to work as a science and tech journalist. I will have to give up everything that I have gained expertise on, over the course of half a career. Spoke to a lot of people and they are helping me, with some plans laid out.
1. Join another organisation in Delhi quickly
2. Move back to Mumbai and take a break, see what opportunities show up. Can ask for relocation fees if I get a job at Delhi again.
Either way, need to start preparing to exit this place. Out of an abundance of caution, I am scheduling this post for after my notice period. Actually written on 3 May.
