12:30 PM staff meeting. Greater Kailash II M-Block Market. Tehelka magazine offices.

I’ve pushed aside my negative experiences with Shoma and decided to give it a go. I like the idea of working at Tehelka too much to let it be held hostage by a problematic beginning.

At the staff meeting, reporters and editors duke it out as story concepts are approved and rejected. People flirt with their own ideas in real-time, only to have others nudge them in new directions. It’s a big country, and there’s a lot to write about. But a magazine has only so many pages it can print.

Elected communists who run a state — and sell out supportive villagers to wealthy interests. A fabled Indian military victory that didn’t really happen the way the story is told. News. Business. Sports. Corrupt politicians and good ones. Hindu fundamentalists and secular critics. Oppressed Muslim minorities and oppressive Muslim ideologues. It’s a big country, and there’s a lot to write about.

I could tell you what my first assignment is, but then I’d be scooping myself. But I can share my first lesson: Unlike American congressmen and congresswomen, Indian members of parliament answer their own phones. And post their mobile phone numbers online.

“Hi, my name is Sanjeev, and I’m calling from Tehelka.”