Sangita Panta Thapa, 43, has witnessed the mounts and bents of the Nepali broadcast media since her early affiliation with Nepal Television. She is best remembered as a program presenter of several children programs including ‘Indra Dhanush’, and ‘Baal Kunj’. Currently, she is producing a youth-based program ‘Young Achievers’ and is also involved with the weekly agricultural research program, ‘Krishi Anusandhan Ra Prabidhi’. 

In an interview with My City’s Sonam Lama, the senior NTV program producer talked about her experience and challenges working in Nepal Television.

What influenced you into taking up the role of a TV presenter?

Joining TV was an unexpected beginning of my professional journey. After my graduation in commerce, I was keen at joining Nepal police. However, my interest was rather driven towards TV after joining a training program as a young program presenter in 1996. I was enrolled into the training upon my father’s recommendation. He used to work in the administrative sector at NTV. Unlike today the impact of TV was quite effective on the viewers and as a young individual, I was fascinated by a range of TV shows based on children’s activities and was curious to find out how the world behind TV actually worked. 

Attending further training programs on TV production and running TV shows ultimately marked the beginning of my career in TV.

As a working mother, what challenges do you witness and how do you juggle your personal and professional lives?

For every individual, especially women to prosper professionally, I believe she should be provided with the environment to explore and a platform to overcome her fear. I have been working for more than two decades now and I strongly feel that I have been able to gain my identity. Further, I have motivated my children as a working mother. Multitasking has its own setbacks; I need to prioritize my work, and at the same time allocate time for my home and family. However, the merits that I have earned, as an independent woman, outweigh the sacrifices that I have made as a working mother.

At a time when social media is on a constant rise, how does TV impact its viewers?

The rise in social media has certainly shifted viewer’s focus to a greater perspective which has posed multiple challenges for TV. However, it has also raised the bar for TV programs to be more competitive. Furthermore, unlike the influence of social media in city and touristic areas like Kathmandu, a majority of demography in remote and rural areas of Nepal rely on broadcast media. I manage to connect with many of the young interviewees for my program via social media. Therefore, I believe both the roles of TV and social media ultimately complement one another proving to be the source to connect various people belonging to different age category.  

As you have attended myriad national and international training programs, what gap do you find in the work module and professionalism between the programs?

Broadcast media is steadily growing with the urgency to develop at a faster pace. The work scope in TV has widened allowing females to perform equally as men, even in technical sectors. During my visit to Japan, it reflected me that we were equally capable of effectively carrying out any work in all levels. However, we are more focused on quantity based work ultimately compromising on the research content and quality of our works. 

You have run various programs related to children, youths and senior citizen. Which do you find the most interesting?

Working with different age groups exposes to different experiences. Every program has its own significance in providing a medium to connect, express and motivate people belonging to the similar age group. I currently run a youth-based talk show called ‘Youth Achievers’, and I have so far found it to be the most interesting programs I have ever run. I feel energized and motivated as an individual interviewing people who have achieved so much at a young age.