Objective Journalistic Style and Passive Voice

In standard Hindi, we usually say 'who' does 'what'. But in journalism, the 'who' is often less important. We use the karmani prayog or passive constructions. This involves using the main verb in its perfective form. Then, we add the auxiliary verb jaana. For example, likhna becomes likha gaya. This structure removes the personal touch. It creates a sense of universal truth or official record. It is like wearing a suit for your sentences. It looks sharp, professional, and very serious. You are telling the reader, 'This is a fact, not my opinion'.

1. 1Creating this style is a step-by-step process. Follow these simple steps:
2. 2Identify the main verb of the action.
3. 3Change the verb to its past participle form (usually ends in aa, e, or ee).
4. 4Add the appropriate form of jaana based on the gender and number of the object.
5. 5If you must mention the actor, use the postposition ke dwara or se.
6. 6Ensure the verb agrees with the object, not the subject.
7. 7Example: Sarkar ne niti badli (Active) becomes Sarkar ke dwara niti badli gayi (Passive).

Use this style when you want to sound like a pro. It is perfect for news reports about accidents or politics. Use it in job interviews when describing company achievements. It works great for writing formal emails to government offices. If you are reporting a crime where the culprit is unknown, this is your best friend. It is also used in scientific papers to show results. Basically, use it whenever the action is more important than the person. It adds a layer of sophistication to your Hindi. It shows you understand the nuances of formal communication.

Do not use this at a dinner party with friends. You will sound like a walking newspaper. Avoid it when telling a personal story about your childhood. It feels cold and robotic in intimate settings. If you are giving a direct command to a younger sibling, stick to active voice. Using passive voice in a casual text message might make people think you are mad at them. It is too heavy for light-hearted jokes. Keep it for the boardroom, not the living room. Grammar is all about context, after all.

Many people forget to change the verb agreement. They keep the verb agreeing with the original subject. That is a big no-no. Another mistake is overusing ke dwara. In journalistic Hindi, we often drop the actor entirely. If you say ke dwara in every sentence, it sounds cluttered. Some people also confuse the 'incapability' passive with the 'objective' passive. Mujhse khana nahi khaya gaya means 'I couldn't eat'. Khana khaya gaya means 'The food was eaten'. Context is king here. Do not let these small slips trip you up.

The journalistic passive is different from the 'se' passive. The 'se' passive often implies a lack of control or ability. For example, Galti se shisha toot gaya. This sounds like an accident. The journalistic passive Shisha toda gaya sounds like a deliberate, reported action. Also, compare it with the active voice unhone kaha. Saying aisa kaha gaya hai sounds much more official. It shifts the responsibility from a person to a general consensus. It is the difference between 'He said' and 'It is said'.