Editor-in-Chief of Front Times of Bengal and Assistant Editor at Republican Mirror recognised with the Bengal Icon Awards 2024 for contribution to digital media and journalism
Durgapur, West Bengal — Saikat Sharma, who also works professionally under the name Rajdeep S. Sharma, has built a career that sits at the intersection of journalism, digital publishing and newsroom technology. Born on 10 November in Durgapur, Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, Sharma today holds multiple editorial and technical leadership roles across the eastern Indian media landscape, and is recognised as one of the region’s emerging digital-media entrepreneurs.
He currently serves as Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Front Times of Bengal, Assistant Editor at Republican Mirror, and Editor-in-Chief of the Republican Mirror Digital Platform. Alongside these responsibilities, he continues to offer freelance video-editing and technical support services to media houses, organisations and individual clients.
Sharma’s professional identity has been shaped by an unusual combination of interests. From an early age, he developed a strong curiosity about technology and computers, an inclination that gradually expanded into an interest in communication, journalism and digital media. Rather than choosing a single professional lane, he built knowledge across several complementary disciplines — a decision that would later define his career as both an editorial leader and a technical operator within digital news platforms.
His parents, S. Sharma and M. R. Sharma, are frequently credited by him as steady sources of support, encouragement and guidance throughout his personal and professional development.
Sharma completed a course in Fundamentals of Journalism at NBCU Academy, which strengthened his grounding in professional news practices. However, his learning has not stopped at a single qualification. He has pursued additional courses and training programmes across disciplines including digital media, video production and technical operations — reflecting a broader philosophy that treats professional education as an ongoing process rather than a one-time milestone.
Sharma’s journalism career began with editorial and reporting responsibilities at Mahila Unnayan Newspaper, an experience that introduced him to the practical realities of newsroom operations. He went on to work as a freelance journalist with Din Darpan Daily Newspaper, gradually expanding his experience across news reporting, editorial work, digital publishing, news content management, media production, social media distribution and technical news-platform operations.
As the media industry shifted increasingly toward digital platforms, Sharma’s early technical interests became a professional advantage. He went on to be involved in the development, establishment or management of several news and information platforms, including Ishan Alert Newspaper, Bharoter Khabar, Street Alert English Newspaper, Inform Durgapur and Inforly Nation — experience that gave him exposure to editorial leadership, content management, digital publishing and the technical side of running a news operation.
One of the most defining chapters of Sharma’s career is his role as Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Front Times of Bengal, where his responsibilities extend well beyond conventional editorial decision-making to include digital publishing, content production, editorial workflows and overall platform operations. This role marks his transition from working within existing media structures to building and managing a media outlet of his own.
He is also professionally associated with Republican Mirror, where he holds the position of Assistant Editor, and separately leads the outlet’s digital arm as Editor-in-Chief of the Republican Mirror Digital Platform — a dual role that reflects his ability to operate across both traditional editorial structures and digital-first media environments.
Technology remains one of Sharma’s core professional strengths. His skill set spans video editing, digital media management, social media content creation and management, digital marketing, technical operations, news editorial workflows, digital newsroom setup, content and video production, publishing systems, and digital news platform management. This range allows him to work with a news story not just as editorial content, but through the lens of video production, publishing and distribution.
Sharma’s work developing and operating multiple digital news platforms has established him as a media entrepreneur in his own right — a role that requires building systems capable of consistently producing, managing and distributing content while adapting to constant technological change. He is also a member of the Lead India Publishers Association and is associated with Delhi Crime Press, connecting his editorial work to wider publishing and media networks.
Beyond media, Sharma is active in social-service and humanitarian work. He currently serves as General Secretary of the Humanity Press Organisation in Durgapur, West Bengal, and is a National-Level Member of the International Human Rights and Crime Control Council. Through these roles, he has connected his communication skills to a broader interest in human rights and social responsibility.
In 2024, Sharma received the Bengal Icon Awards 2024, presented in recognition of his outstanding contribution and achievements in the field of digital media and journalism. For Sharma, the honour reflects a professional journey built across reporting, digital publishing, technology and editorial leadership.
A recurring theme in Sharma’s career is continuous learning. He often notes that the digital-media ecosystem changes rapidly — platforms evolve, audience habits shift, and video continues to take a more central role in communication. His professional philosophy centres on integrity, responsible journalism, technical adaptability, creative communication and the positive use of media and technology for social impact.
Despite already holding senior editorial and leadership positions, Sharma’s long-term career goal is to further establish himself as a Professional Video Editor or Technical Advisor — an objective rooted in his original fascination with technology and years of hands-on experience understanding how it functions within modern media organisations.
Sharma considers his family, particularly his parents S. Sharma and M. R. Sharma, a central foundation of his journey, crediting their guidance and encouragement for shaping his personal values and professional ambitions. Outside of his professional commitments, he lists travelling as a personal interest, an activity he connects to the curiosity that also drives his work in journalism and communication.
Those interested in following Sharma’s work across journalism, digital media and video production can find him on the following platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajdeeps.sharma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajdeeps.sharma
Full Profile: https://wikiprofiles.in/article.php?slug=saikat-sharma-rajdeep-s-sharma-journalists-media-durgapur-west-bengal-india
Saikat Sharma, professionally known as Rajdeep S. Sharma, is an Indian journalist, digital media professional, editor-in-chief, media entrepreneur and social activist based in Durgapur, West Bengal. He currently serves as Owner and Editor-in-Chief of Front Times of Bengal, Assistant Editor at Republican Mirror and Editor-in-Chief of the Republican Mirror Digital Platform. A recipient of the Bengal Icon Awards 2024, his career combines editorial leadership with expertise in video editing, digital publishing, social media management and newsroom technology, alongside active involvement in humanitarian and human-rights organisations.
