Priya Gulati Podcast | Crime Journalism, Women Empowerment & Social Impact | The Socialens Talks

Priya Gulati Podcast on The Socialens Talks is a candid conversation about crime journalism, media realities, women empowerment, social impact, leadership, courage, responsibility and the experiences that shape a person over decades.

Priya Gulati shares a journey spanning around 40 years, including approximately 15 years in journalism, work with Amar Ujala, the transition into public relations and events, and the creation of the Tejaswini initiative and charitable trust during the COVID period.

What makes this conversation particularly interesting is that it does not focus on only one part of her life.

It moves through journalism, crime reporting, media ethics, threats, women’s confidence, entrepreneurship, community support, social responsibility and the importance of speaking up.

A 40-Year Journey That Changed With Time

When asked about her journey, Priya Gulati describes it as approximately 40 years old.

She began her career as a journalist during a time when journalism worked very differently from today.

There were no smartphones.

There were no computers for easy reporting.

There was no instant access to information through the internet.

Journalists had to physically go out, find stories and gather information themselves.

For Priya, this eventually led her toward crime journalism.

She describes those years as challenging, particularly as a woman working in a male-dominated environment.

Around 15 Years in Journalism

Priya explains that she spent approximately 15 years in journalism and worked with Amar Ujala.

Over time, however, journalism began changing.

She says that by 2013, she had decided to leave Amar Ujala and move away from journalism.

Her reason was not simply tiredness from work.

She felt that the nature of journalism itself was changing and that some of those changes were difficult for her to accept.

Digital media was beginning to replace the traditional newspaper environment, while she also felt uncomfortable with compromises surrounding the way news was being presented.

From Journalism to PR and Events

After leaving journalism, Priya started her own company in 2017, which she describes as a PR and events company, Bagget Consulting Group.

This became another stage of her professional journey.

Instead of remaining limited to journalism, she diversified into a field where communication, public relations, networking and events became central to her work.

This experience later became useful in building networks of women and creating platforms for community support.

The Reality of Crime Journalism

Crime journalism, according to Priya’s experience, was far from easy.

She describes working in an environment where threats could come through phone calls and where some stories had to be dropped because of safety concerns.

Being a woman and having a family also affected the decisions she had to make.

There were situations where she had evidence and proof but still felt unable to publish certain stories because of the potential consequences.

She describes this as one of the biggest challenges of her journalism career.

The Begging Racket Story That Changed Her View of Journalism

One of the most specific examples she shares concerns a story about a begging racket.

Priya says she had photographs, evidence and information and proposed the story to her office.

However, when the newspaper was published, the story was reduced to approximately 10 lines, and its headline and presentation changed the focus of the original investigation.

For her, this was deeply disappointing because the work she had put into investigating the issue had been significantly reduced in the published version.

She describes this experience as an example of the compromises she faced while working in journalism.

When a Crime Story Becomes Personal

Another powerful part of the conversation comes when Priya remembers an incident from her crime-reporting days.

She used to walk to work and pass through the railway station area.

One morning, she noticed a sack lying near the railway tracks.

When it was opened, she discovered that it contained dead bodies.

She describes this as a deeply shocking experience.

The case involved a widely discussed four-murder case, and she says she was among the first people to witness the scene.

After that, she continued working on the case and interacting with the police.

She also explains that journalists sometimes encounter information that cannot be fully published because of the potential consequences of revealing certain details.

Such experiences could stay with her for days and affect her sleep and peace of mind.

When Journalism Stops Feeling Like the Truth

Priya’s decision to leave journalism was also connected to what she saw happening inside the media environment.

She describes a time when she felt that some news stories were being created or planted, rather than simply reporting events.

She remembers the contrast with her childhood, when her father considered the newspaper highly trustworthy.

Later, after experiencing the media environment herself, she says she even told her father that he should stop treating everything printed in a newspaper as unquestionable truth.

This became an important turning point in her understanding of journalism.

Threats and the Decision to Step Back

Priya also recalls receiving threats while working on the begging-racket story.

She says she did not always know exactly where those threats were coming from, but she understood that the people involved could be influential.

At that stage, her office and senior colleagues supported her and advised her to be careful.

This experience demonstrates the difficult balance between pursuing a story and considering personal safety.

How Tejaswini Began Before the Trust

The story of Tejaswini did not begin directly as a charitable trust.

Priya explains that after starting her company, she organised an event called the Tejasvi Samman Samaroh.

At one Women’s Day event, approximately 202 women were honoured.

The following year, another event brought together around 80 women.

These events gradually created a network of women.

Then COVID changed the situation completely.

COVID and the Birth of a Support Network

During COVID, Priya’s company also faced difficulties.

After some time, women from her existing network started calling her.

Their husbands had lost jobs.

Families were struggling.

Women were asking how they could survive financially.

Priya’s response was practical.

She encouraged women to look at the skills they already had and think about how those skills could become income opportunities.

For example, women who made food, pickles or papad could use their existing abilities to create products and sell them within the network.

This was the beginning of a support-oriented business network.

From Business Network to Tejaswini Trust

During the second wave of COVID, the situation became much more serious.

Entire families were becoming ill.

People were hospitalised.

Some families could not even cook for themselves.

Priya describes receiving a call from a friend whose entire family was sick and who needed food.

That experience made her think about how many other families might be facing the same problem.

She began helping with food distribution from home.

What started with limited resources gradually expanded because people began supporting the effort with supplies.

A network of approximately 23–24 women eventually became involved in the work.

A City-Wide Support Network During COVID

The network eventually became much larger.

Priya describes people contacting the group when they needed:

• Food
• Ration
• Cylinders
• Oxygen
• Medicines
• Other forms of support

Some calls even came from outside India from people whose parents were alone in Dehradun.

The network tried to coordinate assistance for such families.

Priya also describes visiting hospitals and spending time with patients who had been left alone or were emotionally struggling during the pandemic.

Support From Uttarakhand’s Governor

Priya recalls receiving an unexpected call during the COVID period from the then Uttarakhand Governor Baby Rani Maurya.

The conversation included discussion about the food being prepared and its nutritional value.

For Priya, receiving that encouragement was an important source of motivation during an extremely demanding period.

She describes it as recognition of the work being done by the network.

Why the Trust Was Registered

Initially, the group was working without a formal trust structure.

As the work expanded, people began asking how they could donate and how the organisation was structured.

Priya explains that she subsequently registered the trust during COVID.

The organisation then continued its work in a more formal manner.

How Many Women and Families Have Been Reached?

When asked about the scale of the work, Priya says there were more than 450 women in the group at the time of the conversation.

She distinguishes between the number of women in the network and the number of families helped.

She estimates that, from COVID onwards, the organisation had helped approximately 40–50 families according to her recollection in the conversation.

The important point is that the work developed from a small COVID response into a continuing support network.

The Biggest Challenge: Building Trust

For Priya, one of the biggest challenges in social-impact work is not simply funding.

It is trust.

She points out that when one organisation or individual misuses people’s trust, it can affect how people perceive other organisations as well.

Her view is that organisations doing genuine work have to continuously demonstrate transparency, consistency and responsibility.

Tejaswini’s services, networking and events are described in the conversation as being provided without membership-style fees, making trust particularly important to the way the network operates.

Women Need to Believe in Themselves

When asked about the biggest challenges women face at the ground level, Priya gives a very direct answer:

Self-belief.

According to her, many women have the ability to do things but hesitate because they fear failure or judgment.

She believes that once a woman develops the confidence to say “I can do this,” many other barriers become easier to address.

She also discusses the importance of taking calculated risks and developing confidence in one’s own decisions.

Are Women Aware of Their Rights?

Priya challenges the assumption that women simply do not know their rights.

Her view is more nuanced.

She says many women know their rights but may avoid openly fighting for them because they are also thinking about protecting their homes and relationships.

This creates a complicated situation in which awareness exists, but taking action can still be difficult.

Awareness and Education Against Crime

When asked what can help prevent crimes against women, Priya emphasises awareness and education.

She also discusses her view that legal frameworks and implementation need continued attention.

An important part of her message is not only knowing what laws exist, but understanding how people can protect themselves and avoid becoming vulnerable.

The conversation also touches on cyber-security awareness and workshops conducted through their network.

The Story of Aditi Sharma

One of the most meaningful examples Priya shares is the story of Aditi Sharma, whom she describes as a transgender woman.

Priya explains that when she first met Aditi, Aditi had not yet started her café.

Through this connection, Priya also became more familiar with other transgender and LGBTQ+ people facing different challenges.

She describes seeing a change in how people responded to Aditi over time—people began trusting her, accepting her and including her in social spaces.

For Priya, this represents a change in social attitudes and demonstrates what can happen when people receive opportunities and acceptance.

Opportunity Can Change Lives

Priya’s larger point is that members of the transgender community should not be reduced to stereotypes.

She argues that when people receive opportunities, education and support, they can build careers and contribute in many different ways.

She mentions another transgender person working in law and handling cases as an example of how opportunity can open different paths.

The central theme is acceptance, dignity and opportunity.

When Leadership Becomes Emotionally Difficult

Priya openly admits that there are times when she becomes emotionally overwhelmed.

She describes reaching moments where she feels she needs to gather herself and stand up again.

The growing number of women who trust her also creates a sense of responsibility.

At times, she says she has even thought about stopping Tejaswini.

But then she thinks about the women who depend on the platform and the trust they have placed in her.

That responsibility becomes one of her motivations to continue.

Her Message to Women Facing Injustice

Priya’s advice to women facing injustice is straightforward:

Do not keep the problem completely to yourself.

She encourages women to talk to someone they trust—friends, neighbours or other supportive people.

The first step, according to her, is to start sharing the problem rather than remaining completely silent.

The conversation emphasises communication as an important part of seeking support.

Her Message to Today’s Young Generation

Priya also speaks directly to young people.

One concern she identifies is lack of patience.

From her experience with hiring, she says that organisations can have work opportunities available but still struggle to find people who are willing to work with commitment and persistence.

Her advice is to become hardworking and patient.

If someone has a passion, she encourages them to pursue it seriously rather than treating it as something that only fits within fixed working hours.

Balancing Responsibilities

Priya explains that her responsibilities are different from those of someone managing a traditional household with a spouse and children.

At the same time, she has responsibilities toward her mother, family and professional life.

She describes her work with Tejaswini as an additional responsibility that she has consciously chosen to carry.

What motivates her is hearing from women who say that her advice or the platform helped them.

Maintaining people’s trust gives her a reason to continue.

“Struggle and Sacrifice”

When asked to describe her journey in two words, Priya chooses:

Struggle and Sacrifice.

She explains that the work she has built was not handed to her.

She worked for years to create her professional and social networks.

She also makes an important distinction between her consulting business and Tejaswini.

She explains that her Bagget Consulting Group is her primary livelihood, while Tejaswini is the social-impact platform she has built alongside her professional responsibilities.

She also speaks about the responsibilities she has toward her mother and her own household.

Sensitivity Can Become Strength

During the rapid-fire section, Priya chooses sensitivity over strength.

When asked why, she explains that sensitivity allows her to empathise with women.

For her, empathy is closely connected to the ability to support others.

This creates an interesting perspective on leadership:

Being sensitive does not necessarily mean being weak.

Sometimes sensitivity can help a person understand problems that cannot be solved through logic alone.

Fear Is Also Part of Courage

When asked to choose between fear and courage, Priya chooses fear.

She explains that one of her fears is failing to live up to the expectations of the people who trust her.

With hundreds of women connected to the network, she knows she cannot personally solve every problem.

But the responsibility remains.

This is an honest perspective on leadership because it does not present courage as the complete absence of fear.

Her Message to Society

Priya’s message to society is about awareness and participation.

She encourages people to pay attention to what is happening around them instead of adopting a “leave it, what can I do?” attitude.

She talks about everyday issues—from problems in one’s neighbourhood to larger social concerns—and argues that citizens also have responsibilities toward the communities they live in.

Her message is essentially about becoming more aware, expressive and responsible rather than expecting institutions or public representatives to solve every issue alone.

The Future of Tejaswini

Priya says that several initiatives are in development for Tejaswini.

One area is helping women become more independent by supporting them with:

• Loans
• Platform training
• Online business opportunities
• Registration on e-commerce platforms
• Business guidance
• Protection against online fraud

She specifically mentions platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart as examples of places where women could be helped to establish their businesses.

The larger goal is to create a stronger support system that helps women stand on their own feet.

What This Priya Gulati Podcast Really Explores

The conversation moves across several different areas:

• Journalism
• Crime reporting
• Media ethics
• Women’s empowerment
• Social impact
• Entrepreneurship
• Community support
• COVID response
• Leadership
• Trust
• LGBTQ+ inclusion
• Self-belief
• Awareness
• Youth and work ethic
• Social responsibility

What connects all these topics is the idea of responsibility.

Whether she was working as a journalist, building a business or supporting women during COVID, Priya describes situations where other people’s needs became part of her decision-making.

Key Takeaways

• Career journeys can change significantly with time.
• Journalism can involve difficult ethical and personal decisions.
• Media visibility does not automatically mean complete representation of reality.
• Social-impact work depends heavily on public trust.
• Women can benefit from stronger self-belief and confidence.
• Awareness and education are important tools for prevention and self-protection.
• Opportunity can change how society sees marginalised communities.
• Leadership can involve emotional pressure as well as responsibility.
• Sensitivity can help develop empathy.
• Young people need patience, commitment and work ethic.
• Community support can begin with very small actions.
• Social responsibility is not limited to institutions; individuals also have a role.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Priya Gulati?

Priya Gulati is a professional from Dehradun with a long career journey that includes approximately 15 years in journalism, work with Amar Ujala, a later transition into PR and events, and social-impact work through Tejaswini.

What is the Priya Gulati Podcast about?

The episode discusses crime journalism, media realities, women empowerment, social impact, COVID relief work, trust, leadership, LGBTQ+ inclusion, youth, self-belief and social responsibility.

How long did Priya Gulati work in journalism?

She says she gave approximately 15 years to journalism and worked with Amar Ujala.

When did she start her PR company?

She says she left Amar Ujala in 2013 and later started her PR and events company in 2017.

How did Tejaswini begin?

The initiative developed from women’s networking and events and expanded during COVID when women began seeking support after family incomes and jobs were affected.

What happened during the COVID second wave?

Priya describes building a network that helped families with food, ration, oxygen, medicines and other essential support.

What does Priya say is a major challenge for women?

She identifies lack of self-belief as a major challenge and encourages women to develop confidence in their own abilities.

What message does she give to women facing injustice?

She encourages women to speak about their problems rather than keeping everything to themselves and to reach out to people who can provide support.

What is Priya’s message for young people?

She emphasises patience, hard work and serious commitment to one’s chosen work or passion.

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https://thesocialenstalks.com/aditi-sharma-podcast/

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https://thesocialenstalks.com/kuldeep-singh-dharwal-podcast/

Watch the Full Priya Gulati Podcast

Watch Priya Gulati Podcast – Full Episode on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqb-NOmPGnc

The Socialens Talks Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@thesocialenstalk

Conclusion

The Priya Gulati Podcast is a conversation about a professional journey that moved from journalism to PR, entrepreneurship and social-impact work.

Her experiences in crime journalism exposed her to difficult situations, ethical compromises and the realities behind news reporting.

Later, the networks she built through her professional work became useful during COVID, when women and families needed practical support.

The story of Tejaswini shows how a small network can develop into a broader support system when people decide to work together.

Perhaps the most consistent message throughout the conversation is that responsibility grows with trust.

Whether it is the responsibility of a journalist reporting a difficult story, a professional supporting clients, or a social-impact leader helping women find opportunities, the work ultimately depends on people being willing to show up and take responsibility.

For viewers interested in journalism, women empowerment, entrepreneurship, social impact and real-life leadership, the Priya Gulati Podcast offers a detailed and personal conversation about struggle, sacrifice, responsibility and the decision to keep building even when the journey becomes difficult.