Wednesday 27 July 2016

Job Opportunity at Asian Age

Job Opportunity at Asian Age

Asian age is urgently seeking very senior people to join their Delhi office. Position of associate and executive editor vacant.
They also have senior vacancies at their mumbai office: news ed, assistant ed, city ed, featured ed chief subs etc. 
Interested persons may email their resume to jayantiat@gmail.com

Monday 25 July 2016

National Seminar at IIMC, Dhenkanal

National Seminar at IIMC, Dhenkanal

Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal is organising a day-long National Seminar on Regional language Journalism in association with Odisha State Open University on 4 August, which happens to be Odia Journalism Day.

Speakers include Soumya Ranjan Pattnaik, Editor, Sambad, Rajeev Ranjan Shrivastava, Group Editor, Deshbandhu, Hindi Daily, Debabrata Mukhopadhay, Former Associate Editor, Jugantar and Prof. B. Balaswamy, Osmania University, Hyderabad. Opening Note: Mrinal Chatterjee. End Note:Subir Ghosh.

The four speakers will focus on four different aspects: technology upgradation, growth, balancing regional and national interest and tackling political and extra-constitutional pressure



Friday 22 July 2016

Column | Window Seat

Indian Railway Stations

Indian Railways has often been criticised for insufficient safety measures leading to tragic accidents, inefficient passenger handling and lack of cleanliness besides hundred other things. However, Indian Railways has done more to preserve and propagate our architecture and iconic monuments/buildings than any other organisation in this country. One can write a book or along with a good photographer prepare an illustrated Coffee Table book on this theme. Howrah Station, VT (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) in Mumbai or Chennai Central Station are well known examples. From Victorian Gothic architecture to  replica of historical palaces to even archeological monuments- Indian Railway stations have them all. Take for example the Cuttack Railway Station in Odisha. The unique look of this railway station takes inspiration from the Barabati Fort, which is a famous 14th century monument.


There are many railway stations which are not very known outside the concerned state like Ambikapur in Chattisgarh, which has been modelled on Ambikapur palace. These should be showcased. Special efforts should be made to maintain it properly. Souvenirs modelled on the buildings or artefacts related to that particular station or area should be mass produced and marketed. At New Delhi Station there is a store run by Northern Railways selling some railways-inspired souvenirs. But the passion to showcase is distinctly absent. It could be done through credible out-sourced agencies.
Odia Journalism Day
On 4 August 1866, the first Odia newspaper Utkal Deepika was published. Hence this day is celebrated as Odia Journalism Day, like May 30 is celebrated as Hindi Journalism Day (as on this date, in 1826, the first Hindi-language newspaper of India “Udant Martand” was published from Calcutta by Pt. Jugal Kishore Shukla) or July 1 is celebrated as Kannada Press Day (First newspaper in Kannada ‘Mangalura Samachara’, a fortnightly was established by Moegling on July 1, 1843 in Mangalore).
Utkal Deepika was published by Gourishankar Roy, a Bengali who chose to live in and work for Odisha. Unlike many newspapers of that era Utkal Deepika, interestingly had all the constructs of modern newspaper so far its content and editorial approach to issues are concerned. It highlighted the plights and problems of common people. At a time when Odisha was reeling under the worst famine that it had ever experienced, Utkal Deepika worked as a bridge between the common people and the administration to help the administration reach the masses. It heralded the cultural renaissance in Odisha, which had in it seeds of nationalist uprising. It created awareness for the need of education and about the rightful place that Odia language should enjoy, which later crystalized into demand for amalgamation of Odia speaking areas- thus forming the first separate state on linguistic basis. After 60 years of continuous publication Utkal Deepika was closed in 1936. Eighty years later on 13 July 2016 it was revived under the editorship of Jayasish Roy, who also is the editor of Odia daily Sambad Kalika.
Odia journalism like its other regional language counterparts is on a growth trajectory so far number and volume of business is concerned. In fact there is a feeling that Odia mediascape is too crowded. With too many players jostling for space and a share of the business pie, the competition is fierce. Competition is good for growth. But too much of competition is counterproductive, as players tend to take unethical means to outwit competition. That is what is happening in almost all regional language journalism. Generally the media coverage is over the top, loud and often the treatment is deliberately sensational. Trial by media is rampant and truth is often the casualty. On the 151st year of Odia journalism we must reflect and consciously attempt a course correction.
Kabali kand
Kabali starring Rajanikanth has been released globally with unprecedented publicity blitzkrieg and fan reception, almost bordering on madness. Several companies in Chennai and Bengaluru declared the day the film was to be released as a holiday for their employees. It created a social media joke: Other heroes look for a holiday to release their films. Rajnikath releases a film and it becomes a holiday. A passenger plane and a double decker bus have been painted specifically for the release of the film. Mile long queue could be seen before cinema halls showing Kabali in several countries, including some Muslim countries. I am told some movie halls have introduced 4 am shows- yes 4 in the morning, and people are thronging to get tickets.
That’s the power of one man: Rajnikath. Mind it.
Tailpiece: Kabali Effect!
Me: Dad, I am going to Delhi tonight.
Dad: (Surprised) why?
Me: I have to go watch Kabali.
Dad: No need to go, nonsense :P
Me: Please, please, please. Pala, It is Rajinikanth.
Dad: Naan oru thadava sonna, nooru thadava sonna maadiri (If I say something even once, it's as though I've said it a hundred times).
(Courtesy: Social Media forward)

***
Mrinal Chatterjee, a journalist turned media academician lives on the valley of Paniohala Hills at Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction. His latest book ‘Point by Point’, a collection of his columns published in Odia daily Khabar and Sambad Kalika is being released on August 2016.
He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com
Posted on www.orissadiary.com on 22 July 2016

Column | Jagate Thiba Jetedina | 'Strinka Kathara Mane'

Samaja Saptahika, 23-29 July 2016

Thursday 21 July 2016

Job Opportunities at IIMC, Dhenkanal

Job Opportunities at IIMC, Dhenkanal


IIMC, Dhenkanal requires one Academic Associate/Asst. for Odia Journalism and two Academic Associate/Asstt for English Journalism on contract basis.
Remuneration: 18-20 K for Associate and 15-18 K for Asstt. Free lodging in Gents/ladies Hostel. Interested persons may please send CV to iimcdkl@yahoo.co.in by 26 July Tuesday.

My Column in Hindi Translation

Rourkela based Hindi daily Utkal Mail is publishing Hindi translation of my column 'Jagate Thiba Jetedina' regularly. They just sent me clippings of 6 pieces at a time. 
This column is originally written in Odia. Their sub-editors have translated it in Hindi. If it reads well, then they get the full credit. If it does not, then I am to blame. Read and Enjoy.






Days in August

4 Aug. Odia Journalism Day

6 Aug: Hiroshima Day
7 Aug:International Forgiveness Day
8 Aug: World Cat Day

9 Aug:  August Kranti Diwas

             International Day of the World's Indigenous People
12 Aug:  International Youth Day
15 Aug: Independence Day of India

19 Aug: World Photography Day

29 Aug. Natinaol Sports Day of India
              Sanskrit Day

Odia Journalism Day

4 Aug. Odia Journalism Day

On 4 August 1866, the first Odia newspaper Utkal Deepika was published. Hence this day is celebrated as Odia Journalism Day, like May 30 is celebrated as Hindi Journalism Day (as on this date, in 1826, the first Hindi-language newspaper of India “Udant Martand” was published from Calcutta by Pt. Jugal Kishore Shukla) or July 1 is celebrated as Kannada Press Day (First newspaper in Kannada ‘Mangalura Samachara’, a fortnightly was established by Moegling on July 1, 1843 in Mangalore).


Wednesday 20 July 2016

National Broadcasting Day


I'll attend this and speak on History of Present Status of Radio in India.
Radio is India is on a resurgence mode both horizontally and vertically since 2000, thanks to a court-triggered liberal government policy and entertainment-focused private FM Radio Stations.

Column | Kathare Kathare

Mo Sahar Samparka 15-28 July 2016

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Sports Journalism in India

Sports Journalism in India

I have written briefly about the history of Sports Journalism in Odisha in my book History of Journalism in Odisha. (Publisher: Sephali Communications. Contact sephalicommunications@yahoo.in)

My friend Sanatan Pani has been kind to post that in the sports website he edits: www.orisports.com, which happens to be the first Odisha -focused sports website.
Read it here: http://orisports.com/NewsDetails.aspx?nId=NDYyNg==

National Convention of Sports Journalist Federation of India (SJF) is being organised by Sports Journalists' Association of Odisha (OSJA) at KIIT University from September 14 to 18. (Find report in www.orisports.com)

I am trying to put together a monograph/book on 'Sports Journalism in India' on this occasion.

Inputs welcome.
mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com

Monday 18 July 2016

New Book | Shyamali Das

Shyamali Das

Well known fiction writer Krushna Kumar Mohanty has recently published an anthology of short stories: Shyamali Das. Mohanty has been writing short stories for over 30 years. This is his first anthology of short stories.


This 140 pages paperback book contains 20 of his stories, all written in 1990s.
It has been published by Balasore based Shraddha Publications and priced at Rs 100/-.
It is available through www.dhunt.in 

Column | Jagate Thiba Jetedina

Samaja Saptahika, 16-22 July 2016

Write up | Rath O Path


Samaja Saptahika 9-15 July (Rath Yatra Special) issue.

Job Opportunity at IIMC, Dhenkanal

IIMC, Dhenkanal needs Academic Associate/Assistant

IIMC, Dhenkanal needs Academic Associate/Assistant for English Journalism on Contract basis. 
Remuneration: Academic Assistant 15-18 K, Academic Associate 18-20 K plus free lodging. 
Interested persons may send CV to iimcdkl@yahoo.co.in by 24 July 2016, Sunday.

Sunday 17 July 2016

New Book | Kitira Bilatbula

 Kitira Bilatbula


Written by the well known littérateur Dash Benhur, this tiny travelogue meant for the young adults came out on the day of Bahuda Yatra this July. 



This book shares the intimate experiences of a twelve year old girl called Kitty regarding her short trip to Britain with her parents.
Published by Siksha Sandhan, Bhubaneswar it contains 128 pages and is also priced at Rs 128/-.
It should be a fascinating read for both the young adults and adults young at heart.





Saturday 16 July 2016

IIMC Entrance Result 2016

IIMC Entrance Result 2016


Results for IIMC Entrance Test 2016-17 have been announced.
See this site for the complete results:
http://www.iimc.gov.in/WhatsNews_Description.aspx?News_id=30201

Column | Window Seat

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee

Heritage Walk

Recently I met Dr. Reena Bhaduri, granddaughter of Sir Asutosh Mukhopadhaya in Kolkata. We met at the residence of Sir Asutosh in Bhawanipur, a historical place, which now houses a museum on Sir Asutosh and also a college run by Bharatiya Vidya Bhaban. 
Nearby there are some places of historic importance- residences of persons who changed the face of Bengal in particular and India in general by bringing in renaissance in Bengal  in 19th century.
Dr. Bhaduri was suggesting a heritage walk through these places, organised either by State Tourism Dept. or organisations like EZCC. I told her something like this is being done in Old Bhubaneswar to familiarise people with the ancient temples. It is being regularly done in Belfast, Ireland taking people through the conflict zones and showing them the graffiti. 
My friend Nita Das tells me that such heritage walk is conducted in Ahmedabad, Gujarat by the tourism dept with Guides.
After I posted our conversation on a social media platform Kaveri Kumar, News Editor at PTI Kolkata wrote that “a walk like this already exists in Kolkata for over 20 years. It is conducted on Sunday mornings in the heritage part of the city - Dalhousie square and north Kolkata, which is the heart of Babu Kolkata. It a must do for many foreigners.”
 I did not know this. Many including Dr. Reena Bhaduri also did not know about this walk.
Lesson learnt: Walks like these must be well publicised. And more such walk areas be identified and created. Efforts must be made to make this walk a pleasurable one. The areas must be cleaned up and made more accessible.
As the template for such walk already exists, all that the tourism department just needs to do is to follow the best practice.

Website on ‘Karmaveer’ Gourishankar Roy

Gourishankar Roy (13 July 1838- 7 July 1917) published the first Odia newspaper Utkal Deepika in 1866. He has had a great contribution in the cultural awakening of Odisha in the mid-19th century. He instituted several socio-cultural organisations, which played an important role in the social and political history of Odisha. He is considered to be one of the makers of modern Odisha.
Unfortunately hardly any information about him was there in the cyber space.
Pradeep Kumar Panda, an Engineer by profession has singlehandedly created a website on him. It has a downloadable book on Gourishankar, an anthology of essays and articles edited by Dr. Sricharan Mohanty, a link to a documentary film on Gourishankar produced by Films Division besides other information.
Despite failing eyesight Mr. Panda has documented information on Gourishankar on cyber space, a job the State should have done.
This website shows what a single individual can do, if he is driven by passion and commitment. See the website here: 
http://karmaveergourishankar.info
And here is the link to the documentary: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxT_n3WSWFw
On a different note, Utkal Deepika, was re-launched on 13 July 2016 from Bhubaneswar  on Gourishankar’s 179th birthday after 80 years. The Newly Launched paper has exactly the same mast head like that of the Old Utkal Deepika. It is also a weekly like Utkal Deepika used to be. 
Utkal Deepika, the first Odia Newspaper started its publication on August 4, 1866 and continued up to 1936. Jayashish Roy, who happens to have close family link with Gourishankar Roy is the editor of the re-launched paper.

Rain

Tip, tip. Tup, tup. Tipir,tupur.
It is raining in different rhythm throughout the day for the last three days, turning everything around into different shades of green including the big bare brown rocks, which is covered my moist dark green moss. 
Seeds sprout. Leaves grow. Creepers appear- almost overnight. The forest seems to come closer every passing day. 
There is a riot of life growing around me at the valley of the Paniohala Hills, where I live. And I am loving it.

Tailpiece: Topic

Two frogs chatting
Frog 1: tur
Frog 2: tur, tur
Frog 1: Tur, tur
Frog 2: Tur, tur, tur
Frog 1: Kur, kur, kur
Frog 2: Abe sale, topic change mat kar.
(Courtesy: Social Media forward)
***
16 July 2016
Mrinal Chatterjee, a journalist turned media academician lives on the valley of Paniohala Hills at Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction. His latest book ‘Point by Point’, a collection of his columns published in Odia daily Khabar and Sambad Kalika is being released on August 2016.
He can be contacted at mrinalchatterjee@ymail.com



My New Book | Point by Point

Point by Point

Srujan Communication is publishing my book 'Point by Point'. It is an anthology of columns, published first in 'Khabar' and then in 'Sambad Kalika'.
Himanshu Kumar Mohapatra tells me that it should be published by August this year.
Cover illustration by my student Swastik, who is presently working in Kanak TV.
Design and layout: Jitendra Pati.



Wednesday 13 July 2016

Theatre Workshop at Koraput, Odisha


The workshop aims to hone the skill on the basics of theater. It will particularly focus on the body language and music.
The detailed week long plans are being finalised by the resource persons.

Here are two links to the profile of the trainer of the workshop Sri Prabir Guha.
http://sangeetnatak.gov.in/sna-hindi/sna_hindi/sna-awards2008/probir-guha.htm
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/maverick-director/article1432741.ece

This is the first theatre workshop of EZCC in Koraput. The workshop is also being partly supported by District Council of Culture, Koraput.

Those who are interested to participate in the NANDANIK EZCC Theatre Workshop at Koraput from July 24-30, 2014 are requested to register first with CV & passport photo. 
Local candidates may register today (17 July) while outstation candidates may register through email at nandanik.koraput@gmail.com 
Seats limited.
Enquiry 09938600683


Saturday 9 July 2016

New Book | Gandhiji Discovers Odisha

Gandhiji Discovers Odisha

Noted littérateur Dash Benhur  has just published a book titled 'Gandhiji Discovers Orissa'. It has been translated from original Odia by Bikram K. Das. 
It encompasses a series of events that dotted Gandhiji's discovery of Odisha.
This slim volume contains 204 pages and is priced at Rs135/-. The publisher is Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Bhubaneswar. 



Website on Gourishankar Roy

Website on 'Karmaveer' Gourishankar Roy



Er. Pradeep Kumar Panda has singlehandedly created a website on Karmaveera Gourishankar Roy, who published the first Odia newspaper Utkal Deepika. It has a downloadable book on Gourishankar, an anthology of essays and articles edited by Dr. Sricharan Mohanty, a link to a documentary film on Gourishankar produced by Films Division besides other information.
This website shows what a single individual can do, if he is driven by passion and commitment. Despite failing eyesight Pradeep Babu has documented information on Gourishankar on cyber space, a job the State should have done.
Take a bow Pradeep Babu.
See the website here: http://karmaveergourishankar.info
And here is the link to the documentary:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxT_n3WSWFw

Days in July 2016


Days in July 2016

(Media Friends may plan stories around the day/issue/event)

11 July: World Population Day


16 July: Snake Day


17 July: International Justice Day




18 July: International Nelson Mandela Day




19 July: Anti Medical Terrorism Day





28 July: World Hepatitis Day





Cartooning in India

I have written an article on Cartooning in India and have sent it for publication. I'll post the article here after it is published. Meanwhile, here are some cartoons drawn by famous cartoonists of India over the ages. To know more about individual cartoonists one may read my series: 50 Great Cartoonists of India, published in Cartoonwatch (English), Samadrusti (Odia) and Deshbandhu (Hindi)
Cartoon published in HIndi Punch.

Cover of Basantak. This Bengali magazine promoted cartoons in a big way in 19th century.

Cover drawn by Gaganendranath Tagore, who in a way heralded a new era in cartooning in India

Cartoon by Jatin Sen, another popular cartoonist-illustrator of 19th century Bengal

Cartoon by Shankar, who promoted a bunch of very talented cartoonists in post-independence India

Cartoon by R.K.Laxman

Cartoon by T. Samuel

Cartoon by Mario Miranda