As Dhaka Lit Fest 2015 came to a triumphant close, a host of dignitaries graced the stages of Bangla Academy for talks, discussions and lively debates. “Wow Bites” was one such discussion where three leading ladies – journalist Munni Saha, businesswoman Rubana Huq and the first woman to climb Mount Everest Nishat Majumdar shared their stories through a gender lens. The panel was moderated by journalist Jude Kelly, creator of the Women of the World (WOW) festival.
As one of Bangladesh's leading TV journalists, Munni Saha rose to fame as a female journalist that made her name in what is considered to be a man's world. With her fearless skills and knack for asking hard hitting questions, Saha nows stands tall and proud as the Head of News of ATN News.
The Dhaka Tribune had a chance to have a quick chat with her to find out what books line her reading shelf, what her favourite Bangla phrase is and how she would like to switch a man's brain with a woman's, to help them gain perspective into a woman's world.
1. What book are you reading?
I'm currently reading and really enjoyin More Malicious Gossip by Khushwant Singh.
2.What is your all time favourite book?
Currently, I can't name just one. I'm a voracious and different kind of reader – sometimes I find myself lost in poetry and sometimes in fiction. I also have a habit of always reading three books at a time. Khushwant Singh, Rabindranath Tagore's Bishasher Jogot and Mallika Sengupta's Sitayana.
3. What was the one movie that you watched but can't get over? Margarita, with a straw was such a hauntingly beautiful movie, I was so moved by it that ever since I haven't been able to watch another movie. It's an Indian movie, but ever since I saw it, I haven't been able to get over it. It's such a great movie I'd even suggest you to watch it too.
4. Favourite word in the Bangla Language?
Tough question. I'd have to say, “Ami jani na” - it's such an interesting phase with so many connotations. Quite a philosophical phrase, to tell you the truth. In one sense, it simply means “I don't know” and can be used as a phrase that humbly admits to my ignorance. In another sense, “Ami jani na” can also, to some extent, talk about how we don't really know ourselves fully. It's one phrase I really love.
5. If you could have skills like Wonder Woman what would you?
Usually, I don't feel like I'd ever want any superpowers, or would like to have skills like Wonder Woman. I feel quite content being the simple human being – the journalist Munni Saha. However, if I was ever Wonder Woman, I would have chosen to replace a man's brain with a woman's so that he can get a perspective into female lives and see what we go through.
6. If you wrote a book on your life, what would the last line be?
“My work is my message.”