BY J.M. LEE
Navjot was born and raised in a small village of Mowai of District Jalandhar in Punjab, India, where she completed her elementary education. In the late 1980s, her family moved to Jalandhar City. The transition from a rural to an urban setting marked a significant turning point in her life. Despite embracing city life, she remained deeply connected to her rural roots.
With over 29 years of experience in the media industry, Navjot began her media journey in 1995, when she successfully auditioned for the program Yuv Vani at All India Radio Jalandhar. After graduating with a Journalism and Mass Communication degree from GNDU Regional Campus Jalandhar, she underwent training at the Daily Indian Express in Chandigarh. She worked at media outlets like Hindustan Times, Doordarshan, and All India Radio. At the same time, she also headed the Department of Mass Communication and Video Production at B.D. Arya College Jalandhar Cantt. for several years.
In 2004, Panjab Radio in London, U.K., hired Navjot. A year later, she immigrated to Canada to settle in Toronto. Still, in 2006, she relocated to Vancouver to join Radio Red FM, embarking on the second phase of her broadcasting career. There, she held various roles until 2019. She is the host and producer of the YouTube show The Navjot Dhillon Wall. She also hosted The Navjot Dhillon Show on Radio AM 600 for almost three years.
One pivotal moment in her life was leaving her 13-year tenure at Radio Red FM, where she served as the National News Director and hosted two popular talk shows, she reflects, “This decision was difficult, but it allowed me to expand my creative horizons and start my own YouTube channel, Horizons, reaching a broader audience. Throughout my career, I have learned to be adaptable, agile, and open to feedback. My voice is vital to my identity, and I am grateful for the audience’s trust. I take this responsibility seriously, ensuring my voice remains authentic, credible, and reliable.”
Navjot has initiated conversations on stigmatized topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, gender and caste-based discrimination, and mental health issues. Despite challenges, she promoted awareness, understanding, and inclusivity. “I continued sharing the stories of marginalized communities. A defining moment in my career was being let go from my job for standing firm on my values. This challenging time taught me that integrity, ethics, and principles are non-negotiable. In a remarkable turn of events, my independent work gained recognition that year, culminating in the prestigious Jagjit Singh Anand Memorial Award for Best Journalism in 2023. Delivering the keynote speech at the 2024 Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature was a tremendous honour, validating the impact of my work.”
Navjot says that she is particularly inspired by women who have overcome unimaginable challenges and those from underprivileged and suppressed backgrounds, as she says, “Their resilience and courage motivate me to help them recognize their inherent strengths.” She has recently scripted a short film titled Whistle, based on women’s empowerment. The film has received acclaim after screenings in Canada and India. Navjot firmly believes that success is rooted in recognizing one’s self-worth, as she notes, “When women see themselves positively, they unlock their potential. They must fight against systemic biases and barriers to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. I advise young women to be aware, brave, confident, educated, empowered, and unapologetically themselves.”
With her first play, POOR CONNECTION, Navjot marks her foray into playwriting. Under the direction of Dr. Sahib Singh, the play will come to life on stage on July 5, 2025, at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts in Surrey.
As a broadcaster, writer, and a Life Coach (Jay Shetty Certified), she explains, “I strive to empower others with my concept ACCEPT, which stands for Awareness, Communication, Confidence, Empowerment, Positive Perspective, and Transformation.”
Navjot shares that achieving work-life balance has always been challenging. Still, she manages it by setting priorities and delegating tasks when possible. “I am grateful for my supportive life partner, Inderjeet Dhillon, who encourages me to pursue my passion while understanding the demands of my career.”
Navjot attributes her success to her mother, Balbir Kaur Khela. “Though she doesn’t have a higher education, her wisdom, selfless love, and unwavering support have profoundly shaped me. She envisioned a brighter future for me, and I have been fortunate to turn that vision into reality.”
Motherhood taught Navjot patience, empathy, and selflessness: “As a proud mother of two teenagers, Anhad and Baani, I strive to create a nurturing environment where they can learn, grow into unique individuals, and explore the world.”
