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Kantipur appreciates the interest shown in the feature published last Monday titled 'From War Journalists to Skydiving'. To address the concerns, Kantipur has contacted Sujita Shahi, the character of the feature herself, relatives and professional colleagues. In this context, we would like to clarify the following point.
1. Sujita is not only a brave skydiver, but also the established tourism professionals of Nepal have confirmed it. In the feature story, Sujitha claimed to have done a 'solojump' in Pokhara on 19 November. Suman Pandey, the former president of PATA Nepal and the founder of Everest Skydive Company, also told Kantipur, "She used to dive in tandem (with the help of a driver) before, after training, she did 'solo jump' this year." We have been running this company since 2008. She is the first woman to skydive solo from our company.
She brings not only herself, but many Europeans to Nepal. She is also happy, she has also praised the Pearton region of Nepal.' Sujitha reiterated that she plans to skydive on Mount Everest and in Denmark next year. Officials of the Tourism Board and other businessmen also said that Sujita's efforts are commendable and should be encouraged for this.
2. Relatives confirmed that Sujitha also went to Hong Kong as her father was in the British Army. According to them, Sujita was living in Germany with acquaintance, friendship and marriage with the manager of the German company that was responsible for the construction of the magnificent Tingkau Bridge in Hong Kong at that time.
3. Sujitha claimed to have done her master's degree in journalism in Hong Kong, trained at South China Morning Post and Star TV and worked at DW and RTL TV in Germany. On the subject of studying journalism, he explains, “Yes, I studied at Baptist University.” It is not a practice in any interview to show your certificate after a character says that's what I studied. Similarly, she told reporters that her byline would not be found as she claimed to be working as an 'undercover war reporter'. However, there was a place to ask for material with pictures to explain the context of 'war reporting' which would have strengthened the story.
Similarly, when asked for reference material, she said that she could not give it for personal reasons after public questions were raised about the claim that she was abducted in Afghanistan and was now in the commando force. "Undercover Jabka material is not found on Google, nor can it be given to you. He said, "It is because of the comments that I have spoken to you that I am in crisis." We conclude that the feature should not have included references that could not be independently corroborated, regardless of what he said.
4. According to Vikesh Shrestha, the publisher of Revival Magazine, which was published at that time, Sujitha did journalism in Nepal in the 1990s. Sujita's English was good, she was diligent, so I gave her the responsibility of executive editor. Later she went to Hong Kong. Since then, manpower could not be gathered. The magazine was discontinued. However, I still know him as a good person.'
5. Everyone who came in contact with Kantipur has openly praised Sujita Shahi as a professional, self-reliant and courageous person. However, we express our commitment to make the fact-checking system stronger with the conclusion that some natural questions have not been addressed in the course of publishing a story that gives a positive message to a society gripped by despair.
– Editor-in-Chief
