By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Dear Friends, I took to writing in 1971. My first article was published in a Punjabi film magazine “Tasveer” published from Jalandhar followed by three more in the same year. I was not conversant with Punjabi language as I have had my education in Uttar Pradesh. Yet, I ventured to write my maiden piece in Punjabi, my mother tongue. Later on I started writing in Hindi & English on films, tourism, sports and crime.
In late 1960s & early 1970s journalists were not suitably remunerated for the effort involved. There were lucky few with powerful political or religious backgrounds ruling the roost. Resultantly, I joined the SBI and later sought permission from the competent authority to allow me to pursue writing as a healthy hobby & pastime & also to be on the safer side. I was granted permission.
I read Modi’s Medial Jurisprudence to add to my knowledge regarding crime. I did investigative reporting for two decades until television came into vogue in India & most crime magazines downed their shutters .I covered many famous national & international cases which graced magazines & dailies like Sun , Detective Digest, Mystery, Manohar Kahaniyan, Nutan Kahaniyaan, Satya Katha, Sache Kissay, Menka, Madhur Kathayen to mention some. I also contributed to Navbharat , Dainik Aaj, Gaandiv, Punjab Kesri & Dainik Tribune, Jagbani, Ajit besides Maya, Manorma, Mukta & Sarita in 1980s. The other national dailies & periodicals I contributed to included the likes of The Tribune, Screen, Filmfare, Patriot, Pioneer, Indian Express, Onlooker, National Herald, Northern India Patrika, Daily Action ,Take 22, Weekend Review, Gentleman, Society, Ultimate Passion, Chastity, Lotus, Film Mirror, Observer, Cine Darpan, Star Life, Mermaid, Naughty Boy, Sexology, Fantasy, Fun, Lacemaker, Democratic World, The Sun, People, Temptation, Lust, Cape Argus & Sportsman to mention some. I also wrote some stories & features under my pen name James Broca .
