The first incident which triggered this change was this journalist who works for The Hindu publication. During my internship, I was handling a consumer technology client. And for that client\u2019s work, I had to call up journalists and pitch. So, one of the work was to pitch for a renowned Sri Lankan Opera singer. As usual, I was asked by my senior to talk to the features journalists for this singer. And for two days, in spite of making numerous calls, I realised that none of the journalists were interested in writing about her and some even said that they cover different beats. And that\u2019s when I realised that perhaps I was reaching out to the wrong journalists. I did my \u2018homework\u2019 and mapped out a set of journalists who write on music. On the third day, I made my first call for this singer. The name of this journalist was Anurag Tagat. When I explained him that I have someone\u2019s profile and I feel it might interest him, he interrupted me by saying that he only covers music. On mentioning with conviction, that I know his beat and the fact that this will definitely interest him, he did sound happy and surprised. And at last, I bagged my first interview opportunity for this singer. My \u2018homework\u2019 on this journalist gave me success!<\/p>\n
And that\u2019s when I realised the worth of the word, \u2018homework\u2019. I realised why teachers put so much stress on this particular thing or rather why was I scolded all the time for not doing my homework.<\/p>\n
There is another incident which I particularly recall from my internship days. One day, during a call with a journalist, ten minutes into the conversation, he sternly said that he has changed his publication. And when I told him that I was aware of it and wanted to talk with him regarding that, he did sound happy. Furthermore, he appreciated that I have done my homework well.<\/p>\n
So, finally the cribbing child has grown up and now appreciates her homework.<\/p>\n
This blog originally appeared on the author’s blog site<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n – Riya Sarkar<\/p>\n![\"research](\"http:\/\/scoreindia.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Screenshot_20170715-230910-01-196x300.jpeg\" "\\"homework\\"")