From Children’s Media to Independent Journalism: The Story of Sheru

In December 2014, near the Fatehpuri railway station temple in Old Delhi, a photograph was taken. It showed a young boy standing in a busy public space, holding equipment and learning how to tell stories. At the time, it was just another day. Eleven years later, that image returned as a Facebook memory and quietly reopened the story of how Sheru’s journey into journalism began.

Today, Sheru is a photographer, journalist, and the founder of the independent digital news platform TheTrendingPeople.com. But his journey did not begin in a newsroom or media office. It began on the streets of Delhi, among children, microphones, notebooks, and community-led media programmes.

A Dream Without a Traditional Path

From a young age, Sheru wanted to become a journalist. He was interested in real stories and everyday life. However, his entry into the media world was not through formal institutions or large organisations.

Instead, his early opportunities came through initiatives that believed in participation and expression, especially for children. These platforms did not treat young people as passive learners but as active creators of media.

Two such initiatives played a key role in shaping his understanding of journalism: Delhi Children’s Times and Butterflies Broadcasting Children.

Delhi Children’s Times: Journalism by Children

Delhi Children’s Times is known as India’s first newspaper created by children. Children report, write, and edit stories about their lives, schools, and communities. Adults guide the process, but the voices remain those of the children.

Working alongside this initiative helped Sheru understand journalism in its simplest form. Stories were written in clear language. They focused on what children saw and felt around them. There was no pressure to follow trends or create dramatic headlines.

This experience taught him that good journalism does not need complex words. It needs honesty, curiosity, and clarity. It also showed him that meaningful reporting can come from anyone, regardless of age.

Butterflies Broadcasting Children: Learning Through Radio

At the same time, Sheru became involved with Butterflies Broadcasting Children, often called BBC, which is India’s first radio show produced by children.

The programme is run by Butterflies, an organisation that works for children’s rights. Children plan radio episodes, conduct interviews, and discuss issues that affect their daily lives. The aim is simple: to give children the right to speak and be heard.

For Sheru, this experience was about learning to listen. Recording voices in busy streets and public places required patience and respect. It taught him that journalism is not about speaking over others, but about allowing space for people to share their stories.

Discovering Photography as Storytelling

During these early years, Sheru also began using photography as a way to tell stories. What started as documentation slowly became a deeper form of expression.

Through photography, he learned to observe people closely. Facial expressions, body language, and everyday moments helped him understand stories beyond words. His work as Sheru Photography became closely connected with his reporting.

Photography taught him patience and sensitivity. Over time, it became clear that images and words together could create stronger, more human stories.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Sheru’s early experiences did not follow a formal media curriculum. Instead, they came from real-life learning. Streets became classrooms. People became teachers.

Children’s media platforms showed him that journalism can be participatory. They also showed him that media has the power to give confidence, especially to those who are rarely heard.

These lessons stayed with him long after those early projects ended.

Creating an Independent News Platform

In March 2021, Sheru took a major step forward. He founded TheTrendingPeople.com, an independent Indian digital news platform based in New Delhi.

The platform describes itself as a space for “journalism with a human touch.” Its aim is to provide clear, balanced, and credible news while also focusing on stories that are often overlooked.

TheTrendingPeople.com covers many areas, including politics, entertainment, sports, health, business, biographies, and current affairs. The focus, however, remains on making news easy to understand and relevant to everyday life.

Leading a Small Newsroom

Sheru works as the Founder, Director, and Chief Editor of the platform. He is supported by a small editorial team that includes Miss Parvati Kurakula, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, and Manish Khouriwal, Managing Editor.

Together, the team manages content planning, editorial standards, and daily publishing. The platform also allows contributors to share personal stories and opinions, continuing the idea of participatory media.

Giving Space to People’s Stories

Beyond reporting daily news, TheTrendingPeople.com also serves as a platform where individuals can express their views and share lived experiences. This approach reflects Sheru’s belief that journalism should include people, not speak for them.

The platform encourages responsible storytelling while maintaining independence and balance.

Writing for Youth-Led Platforms

Sheru has also written for platforms such as YouthKiAwaaz, which focus on youth voices and social issues. These platforms have helped him reach readers who value personal experience and ground-level reporting.

For him, youth-led media spaces are important because they connect individual stories with wider public conversations.

Looking Back to Move Forward

The Facebook memory from 2014 reminded Sheru that his journey began with small steps—listening, observing, and learning from others. It began with children who believed their voices mattered.

Today, as a journalist and photographer, those early lessons continue to guide his work. He believes journalism should be calm, clear, and human.

In a fast-moving media world, his story is a reminder that meaningful journalism can grow slowly, grounded in experience and purpose. Sometimes, looking back helps explain not just where a journey started, but why it continues.