You must have seen this woman on TV or might have heard her voice on radio. If not that, your child might recognize her as a teacher from his/her school. Rakhi Shukla is a woman with many feathers. She is an RJ, emcee, teacher at Subodh School, hosts ETV Rajasthan’s Sangini series, social activist…apart from being a brilliant wife and mother to 2 sons.

We met Rakhi at her place to know how she has managed to ‘have it all’.

JWB – How, Rakhi, how do you manage everything?

Rakhi (laughs) – I can’t sit idle.I want to do something valuable when I am not asleep and therefore, I found jobs that can cover my whole day. I leave in the morning and come back by evening after completing all my jobs while enjoying them to the fullest.I don’t work for money but to explore my capabilities. Because of this I am happy with myself that helps me spread happiness at home and beyond. That’s how I manage everything.

JWB – You got married at quite an early stage and grew up without a father. How did all this affect your life?

Rakhi – When I was 12, my father passed away. I saw my mother doing her best to raise her kids. I was married off early, around 18, because my mother wanted to see me settled.However, I married on one condition. I told my in-laws that I wanted to work and so, I completed my studies first.

When I had my 1^st child, I happily took a sabbatical. When he grew up and I was all set to rejoin, I realized I had been pregnant again! That period was long. Almost 5 yrs without working and sitting at home started to bite me, but also made me more determined.

JWB – How was your life at the job front?

Rakhi – I got a job of the newsreader where I had to memorize the news before speaking in front of the camera. Next, I got selected for Awaz Rajasthan city channel out of 120 candidates. I later became a part of Doordarshan, Akashwani Radio Pink City and ETV.I kept doing more entertaining jibes in between like being a part of a dance video of Veena Cassettes, did voice-overs, CD anchoring, etc. I still do them for fun!JWB – What is your learning from all this?

Rakhi –

JWB – Don’t you feel the guilt of not giving your best at home like other working/non-working women?

Rakhi – I will be lying if I say I don’t.

JWB – Any hidden desire that is still on your wish list?

Rakhi – I want to become an actress! 

Photographer – Shashank K Tyagi.