Admission Notice for various courses of OSOU

Webinar | Development Communication and Social Media

Doodle, Painting and Sketching Competition

Weekly Column | WINDOW SEAT | 28.6.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 28.6.2020

Media in the time of Corona

Covid 19 and several other crises- from Amphan and Nisagra cyclone to locust invasion to Chinese incursion- have brought a peculiar kind of condition for the press. Never before in post-independent India, media faced this kind of situation.

It is the biggest pandemic in our living memory- and therefore a big opportunity for the press to disseminate information, make people aware, educate them- in short play all the roles media is supposed to do. Ironically it also almost spells doom for media, especially print media world over as newspapers can hardly be distributed in this locked down period. This might have a domino effect. Once a reader unsubscribes a newspaper, he may not again resume it, as by the time he is used to read the digital copy, which is largely free. As circulation plummets- so does advertisement revenue, the life line of print media. Digital news consumption is increasing. But it is not bringing in money to run the business. Indian Newspaper Society (INS) in their letter dated 24 March 2020, sought two-year tax holiday after “triple whammy” of Coronavirus, falling ad revenues, and customs duty on newsprint. Other media platforms have also been impacted.

Several media houses resorted to salary cut, lay off and retrenchment. Livelihood of hundreds of journalists is in jeopardy.

Already news-media is passing through a rough phase.  It is made worse by the spread of Corona pandemic. On 3 May 2020, Press Freedom Day UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his message:
"As the (COVID-19) pandemic spreads, it has also given rise to a second pandemic of misinformation, from harmful health advice to wild conspiracy theories. The press provides the antidote: verified, scientific, fact-based news and analysis."

The Press has to fight ‘infodemic’. It has also to fight for its survival. Media as a whole is fighting for survival. And look at the irony: this is happening on the centenary year of media education in India.

However, there are silver linings:

a.   People have understood the menace of fake news and the importance of getting credible news, which the traditional kind of journalism with old values- press- can provide. Therefore there has been and will be a demand for credible news and news that contextualize and explain, makes a meaning out of the mass of data.

b.   Small screen is replacing the big screen. OTT platforms are growing at a fast pace, even as movie halls remain shut. Television is reinventing itself.

c.   People are increasingly gravitating towards the digital duniya (either by choice or by compusion or a combination of both) and content is increasingly being monetized.

Will print media survive the crisis? Will television be able to reinvent itself? Will digital media bring in enough money for the media house to earn a decent profit? Will news media continue to have a moral universe and be concerned about the poor, downtrodden and the marginalized? Only time will tell.

Chiaroscuro

Chiaroscuro. The word means the treatment of light and shade in drawing and painting. Photographers also use this technique to create uniquye pictures- like the one you see. This photo has been clicked by National award winner photo journalist Tabeenah Anjum Quereshi. She also organizes visual story telling workshops in various institutions in the country including Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi and Dhenkanal and abroad. This is a photo of a Chinar leaf in Srinagar, where she hails from. Chinar trees have been an important part of Kashmiri tradition. A Chinar tree is found in almost every village in Kashmir. It characteristically grows in Eastern Himalayas and other places too.

Photo: Tabeenah Anjum Qureshi. Location: Srinagar.

Chinar (botanical name: Platanus orientalis or oriental plane) is a majestic tree. It grows as tall as 25 meters, with girth exceeding 50 feet. Its leaves are beautiful. In fall its deep green leaves may change to blood red, amber, and yellow.

When my first PhD scholar  Jyoti Prakash Mahapatra got his PhD degree I was in Manali, Himachal Pradesh with family. Incidentally we were lodged in the Forest Department Circuit House which had a huge Chinar Tree right in the campus. When I got the news I asked Jyoti what would you like me to take for you from here. He said, Sir get some Chinar leaves. I took some from Manali, framed one and presented him. It now adorns his drawing room wall. Another is pinned on the board in my office room along with a peepal leaf from a tree in our IIMC, Dhenkanal campus. It has now yellowed. Tabeenah has promised to send me a fresh one soon.

Tail piece: Choose your options wisely

1. If  you watch  NDTV, Quint, Wire and Print or read Ajay Shukla and Brahma Chellaney - You will think India has been  taken over by Fascists and  there is going to be civil war soon  and  that China is about to reach Gurugram.

2. If you watch  Zee TV, Republic, News X, Republic Bharat, India TV and Bharatvarsh - You will think India is the new major Military-Economic World Power under PM Modi and we will soon take over Islamabad.

3. If you read newspapers, you don't know whether God or the  Govt.  is  running the country.

4. If you watch  the stock market, you don't know whether the economy is sinking or reviving.

5. If you read Whatsapp messages,  you will find  that the world is facing every conceivable problem, but there is an expert to provide  a solution  for every problem. 

6. If you read/watch all of the above - You will be a confused man, will be posting garbage forwards and will not know whether to panic or chill.

So don't read/watch anything - spend time with your wife - listen to her sermons, follow her advice and do whatever she says - you will be happy, at peace and in nirvana.

You will certainly be able to take care of yourself and your family and be happy... 

Please choose your options wisely. 

Tail piece: Boycott

Yesterday at the airport, two pretty Chinese girls and an Indian girl were sitting opposite me.

 But I was looking at the Indian girl only.

Boycott means absolute boycott...

(Courtesy: Social Media)

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction and translates poetry. An anthology of his translated poems titled SABDANJALI has just been published. 

Mobile Film Making Competition on Children during Covid Period.

Jaipur, Rajasthan based Lok Sambad Sansthan would like to invite video phone recording film of 20 second on voices of children during Covid period for selecting two best entries for award from all social media participants.so rush your response to loksamvadsansthan@gmail.com.

Last date to receiving entries would be July 30 2012.

Launch of Sabdanjali

Anthology of Translated Poems. It will be launched on 23 June at 6 pm on Google Meet.
Click here to join: https://meet.google.com/rdp-qhny-vze

E-Launch of Monograph

 To join click: https://meet.google.com/rdp-qhny-vze

Article on Post-Corona New-noraml Life

Post-Corona new-normal life. Published in Odia daily Nitidina on 20.6.2020

Window Seat | 21.6.2020

Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee| 21.6.2020

 

Adapting to the new normal

The term ‘new normal’ is used to imply that something which was previously abnormal has become commonplace. The term arose from the context of cautioning the belief of economists and policy makers that industrial economies would revert to their most recent means post the 2007-2008 financial crisis. This word came to vogue from 2009-10. It is being increasingly used in the context of the changes brought in life, lifestyle and economy by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Life is changing- fast. Social distancing, staying indoors, covering the face when one goes outside- these practices are changing the way we interacted with each other and the society at large. It is also impacting the way we have learnt to work and do business, the way we have been imparted education.

This change is shaking us, rattling us, confusing us. It takes time to adjust to the change. In normal times change happens slowly and we adjust to the changed circumstances at our own pace. However, the pace of change has suddently become so fast that it is becoming difficult for us to keep pace with the changed environment.

Expert voices from different fields are telling us to prepare for the “New Normal”. A recent research conducted by Well Being  Trust, an American  Academic  of  family Physician warns that the social, economic and psychological ramifications  resulting from the current pandemic may lead to a growing  number of suicides born out of sheer despair.

 

Human beings have the gift of biological and psychological of plasticity, the ability to adapt to changing environment with thoughtful and creative responses through such adaptations our ancestors increased their chances of survival throughout evolution. 

Louisiana State University business professor named Leon C. Megginson said in 1963 that “According to Darwin’s Origin of Species, it is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself.

Once we stop despising whatever is coming our way and face it with courage and mindfulness, the worst gets over and the new possibilities  emerge. In the present circumstances, therefore, we need to modify our responses  and be prepared for the new normal..

Framing Issues

The media coverage of the plight of hundreds of thousands of migrant labourers returning home brought into focus their problems. It made the well-heeled class aware of the invisible people who build a city and form its lifeline, who run factories, who sell knick-knacks at the pavement and golgappa at the baazar. It underlined the necessity of a comprehensive data bank of migrant labourers and a safety net.

Young film actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has brought the issues of depression and mental health into public discourse. Coverage of his death in some television channels have also brought public criticism. As a former journalist and presently media teacher, I believe- dead bodies deserve dignity, and there has to be some poise in its coverage.

Tailpiece: Next Caller Tune 

During this crucial time, mask is not a mere accessory! It's important that we wear it properly and use it as a protective measure against COVID-19.

The next BSNL caller tune should be to ask People to wear masks that cover their mouth and nose and not their Chin.

***

Journalist turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, Odisha. He also writes fiction and translates poetry. An anthology of his translated poems has just been published.

 

Webinar on Fake News

Audio Book RElease

Column | Pathe Prantare

ପଥେ ପ୍ରାନ୍ତରେ । ମୃଣାଳ । ୧୪.୬.୨୦୨୦

କରୋନା ବ୍ୟାପିବାର 

୨୧୦ ଦିନ ପରେ...

କରୋନା ଭାଇରସ୍‌ ପୃଥିବୀକୁ ଆସିଛି ବୋଲି ଜାଣିବାର  ଦିନ ଥିଲା ଜୁନ ୪ ତାରିଖ। ଗତ ବର୍ଷ ନଭେମ୍ବର ୧୭ ତାରିଖରେ ଚୀନ୍‌ର ଉହାନ୍‌ରେ ଏମିତି ଏକ ଭାଇରସ୍‌ର ଅବସ୍ଥିତି ବିଷୟରେ ଜଣା ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା । ମାତ୍ର ୧୦୦ ଦିନ ଭିତରେ ଏ ଭାଇରସ୍‌ ସାରା ପୃଥିବୀରେ ସଂଚରି ଯାଇ ଏକ ମହାମାରୀର ରୂପ ନେଇଥିଲା । ୨୦୦ ଦିନ ଭିତରେ ଏହା ସାରା ପୃଥିବୀରେ ମଣିଷର ଜୀବନ ଶୈଳୀକୁ ବଦଳାଇ ଦେଇଛି । ବଦଳାଇ ଦେଇଛି ବ୍ୟବସାୟ ବାଣିଜ୍ୟ, ଶିକ୍ଷା, ମନୋରଂଜନ, କ୍ରୀଡ଼ା ଓ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟନର ରୂପରେଖ । ପୃଥିବୀର ଅର୍ଥନୈତିକ ଅଭିବୃଦ୍ଧିର ହାର ଆଶଙ୍କାଜନକ ଭାବେ କମିଯାଇଛି । ଅର୍ଥନୈତିକ ସମସ୍ୟା ସହିତ ଏବଂ ଅନେକାଂଶରେ ଏହା ଫଳରେ ଅନେକ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହେଉଛି ସାମାଜିକ ସମସ୍ୟା । ଏ ଭାଇରସ୍‌ର ଟୀକା ବା ଏହା ହେଲେ ଭଲ କରିବାର ଔଷଧ ବାହାରିବାକୁ ଆହୁରି ବହୁତ ଡେରି ଲାଗିବ ବୋଲି କହୁଛନ୍ତି ବୈଜ୍ଞାନିକମାନେ । ତେଣୁ କରୋନା-ଜନିତ ଏ ଅବସ୍ଥା ଆହୁରି ବେଶ କିଛି ମାସ ଲାଗିରହିବ ।

ଇଏ ଏକ ନୂତନ ଜୀବନ । ଏହାକୁ ନୂତନ-ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ ଜୀବନ- ନିଉ ନର୍ମାଲ୍‌ ଜୀବନ ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଉଛି । ଆମେ କଣ ଏ ଜୀବନ ସହିତ ଖାପ୍‌ ଖୁଆଇ ଚଳିପାରିବା?

ପ୍ରାଣୀ-ବିଜ୍ଞାନ ଏବଂ ମନସ୍ତତ୍ୱ-ବିଜ୍ଞାନ କହେ ମଣିଷ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତିତ ପରିସ୍ଥିତି ସହିତ ଖୁବ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଖାପ୍‌ ଖୁଆଇ ନେଇପାରେ । ଏହା ମଣିଷର ବିଶେଷତ୍ୱ । ହୁଏତ କରୋନା-ପର ଜୀବନ ସହିତ ଆମେ ଖାପ୍‌ ଖୁଆଇ ନେବା । ହୁଏତ ବାହାରକୁ ବାହାରିଲାମାତ୍ରେ ମୁଖା ପିନ୍ଧିବାଠୁଁ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କଠୁଁ ଦୁଇ ଗଜ ଦୂରେଇ ରହିବା, ଦିନିକିଆ କ୍ରିକେଟ୍‌କୁ ଷ୍ଟାଡିଅମ୍‌ରେ ନ ଦେଖି କେବଳ ଟିଭି ପରଦାରେ ଦେଖିବା, ବାହାଘର ରିସେପ୍‌ସନ୍‌ରେ ଏକାଠି ଭୋଜି ନ ଖାଇ ଖାଦ୍ୟ-ପ୍ୟାକେଟ୍‌ ଧରି ଘରକୁ ଆସିବା, କ୍ଲାସ୍‌କୁ ନ ଯାଇ ଅନ୍‌ଲାଇନ୍‌ରେ ଭରଚୁଆଲ୍‌ ପାଠ ପଢ଼ିବା, ସିନେମା ହଲ୍‌ରେ ସିନେମା ନ ଦେଖି ଏକୁଟିଆ ମୋବାଇଲ୍‌ରେ ସିନେମା ଦେଖଇବା, ମଲ୍‌ରେ ପାଞ୍ଚ ଜଣଙ୍କ ସହିତ ମିଶି କିଣାକିଣି ନ କରି ଅନ୍‌ଲାଇନ୍‌ରେ ଜିନିଷ ପତ୍ର କିଣିବା ଆମର ଅଭ୍ୟାସ ହୋଇଯିବ । ଅଭ୍ୟାସ ହୋଇଯିବ ସାଂଗମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ମସ୍ତି କରିବା, ଖେଳ ପଡ଼ିଆରେ ଫୁଟ୍‌ବଲ୍‌ ଖେଳିବା । ଆମ ପିଲାମାନେ ଭୁଲିଯିବେ ଅଜା କି ଆଈ ଛାତି ମୁହଁରେ ଗୁଂଜି ଅସୁର ଅସୁରୁଣୀ ଗପ ଶୁଣିବା । ଯୁବକ ଯୁବତୀମାନେ ବୋଧେ ଚୁମ୍ବନ ବି ଭୁଲିଯିବେ । ସହବାସ ବେଳେ ବି ମୁଖା ପିନ୍ଧିବାକୁ ପରାମର୍ଶ ଦେଲେଣି କେତେଜଣ ଚିକିତ୍ସାବିଜ୍ଞାନୀ । ବାସ୍ତବଜୀବନରେ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିବେନି କେହି । ପାଖକୁ ଆସିବେ ଭରଚୁଆଲ୍‌ ୱାର୍ଲଡରେ । ଶୂନ୍ୟ-ଜଗତ । ଇଏ ଏକ ଅଦ୍‌ଭୁତ ଜଗତ । ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଳ୍ପନାର କଳ୍ପ ଜଗତ ନୁହେଁ । ବାସ୍ତବ ଜଗତ ବି ନୁହେଁ । କଳ୍ପନାହୀନ ଅଧା ବାସ୍ତବ । ଏକ ପରା-ଜଗତ । ଦେଖିପାରିବ । ଛୁଇଁ ପାରିବ ନାହିଁ । ଶୁଣି ପାରିବ । ଆଘ୍ରାଣ କରି ପାରିବ ନାହିଁ ।

ଏମିତି ଏକ ଜଗତରେ ବାସ କରିବାକୁ କେମିତି ଲାଗିବ ଆମକୁ? ଯେତିକି ଭାବୁଛି- ସେତିକି ଅଜବ ଲାଗୁଛି । କେବେ ଭାବି ନଥିଲି ଏମିତି ଏକ ସମୟ ଆସିବ । ଆସିଛି- ଏବେ ତାକୁ ଗ୍ରହଣୀୟ କରି ନେବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ । ସମୟର ଚାହିଦା ସହିତ ଆମକୁ ବଦଳିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ ।

ଅନ୍‍ଲାଇନ ଶିକ୍ଷାଦାନ

 

କରୋନା ସଂକ୍ରମଣରୁ ଦେଶକୁ ବଞ୍ଚାଇବା ପାଇଁ ଲକ୍‍ଡାଉନ କରାଯାଇଛି । ସାମାଜିକ ଦୂରତା ଉପରେ ଯୋର ଦିଆଯାଉଛି । ଶିକ୍ଷାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ, ଅଫିସ୍‍ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ବନ୍ଦ କରାଯାଇଛି  ।

ଏହା ଅଫିସ୍‍ କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଓ ବିଶେଷ କରି ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏକ ବଡ଼ ସମସ୍ୟା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିଛି । ଲକ୍‍ଡାଉନ ଯେତେବେଳେ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରାଗଲା- ସେତେବେଳେ ଅନେକ ସ୍କୁଲରେ ନୂଆ ପାଠ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହେବାର ଥିଲା । କଲେଜ, ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟରେ ସେ ବର୍ଷର ପାଠପଢ଼ା (କୋର୍ସ) ଶେଷ ହେବାର ଥିଲା । 

କିଛି ଦିନ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ପରୀକ୍ଷା ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତା ହେଲେ ଏହି ସମୟରେ ସ୍କୁଲ, କଲେଜ, ଶିକ୍ଷାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ବନ୍ଦ ହେବାରୁ ଶିକ୍ଷାଦାନରେ ବଡ଼ ସମସ୍ୟା ସୃଷ୍ଟି ହୋଇଛି । ଏମିତି ସମୟରେ ଅନ୍‍ଲାଇନ କ୍ଲାସ୍‍, ଓ ୱେବନାର ଶିକ୍ଷାଦାନ ଏକ ବଡ଼ ସାଧନ ଭାବେ ଉଭା ହୋଇଛି  ଗୁଗୁଲ କ୍ଲାସ, ଗୁଗୁଲ ମିଟ୍‍, ଜୁମ୍‍ ଆପ୍‍, ୱେବଏକ୍ସ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ସଫ୍ଟୱେର ଏ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ବେଶ୍‍ ଉପଯୋଗୀ ହୋଇପାରିଛି  ।

ଅନେକ ସ୍କୁଲ, କଲେଜ, ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ, ଉଚ୍ଚତ୍ତର ଶିକ୍ଷାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ଏହାକୁ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରୁଛନ୍ତି । ଖୁବ୍‍ କମ୍‍ ସମୟ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅନ୍‍ଲାଇନ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପଦ୍ଧତି ବେଶ୍‍ ପ୍ରଚଳିତ ହୋଇଛି । 

ଏହା ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ କକ୍ଷର ବିକଳ୍ପ ନ ହେଲେ ବି ବହୁ ଅଂଶରେ ପାରମ୍ପରିକ ଶିକ୍ଷାଦାନର ଅଭାବକୁ ଦୂର କରିପାରୁଛି ।

କିନ୍ତୁ ଅନ୍‌ଲାଇନ୍‌ କ୍ଲାସରେ ଆମର ଅନଭିଜ୍ଞତା ଯୋଗୁଁ ହେଉ ବା ଏଥିରେ ବ୍ୟବହାର ହେଉଥିବା କାରିଗରି ଜ୍ଞାନ ଓ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ବ୍ୟବହାରରେ ଅନଭିଜ୍ଞତା ଯୋଗୁଁ ହେଉ ଏଥିରେ କିଛି ଅସୁବିଧା ଦେଖା ଦେଉଛି ।

ଅନ୍‌ଲାଇନ୍‌ ଶିକ୍ଷାଦାନ କିଭଳି ଆହୁରି ଫଳପ୍ରଦ ହୋଇପାରିବ ସେ ବିଷୟରେ ଢେଙ୍କାନାଳସ୍ଥିତ ଭାରତୀୟ ଜନ ସଂଚାର ସଂସ୍ଥାନ ନିକଟରେ ଏକ ଷ୍ଟାଣ୍ଡାର୍ଡ ଅପେରେଟିଂ ପ୍ରସିଡିଅର- ମାନକ ସଞ୍ଚାଳନ ପଦ୍ଧତି ତିଆରି କରିଛନ୍ତି । ସେଥିରେ କେତେଗୁଡ଼ିଏ କଥା କୁହାଯାଇଛି ଯାହା ଏ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକର ହୋଇପାରେ ।

କରୋନା କାଳରେ କେତୋଟି ସାଉଁଟା କବିତା

କରୋନା କହୁଛି: ଘରେ ରହ

ଭୂମିକମ୍ପ କହୁଛି: ବାହାରକୁ ଯା

ମୋତେ ଲାଗୁଛି, ଈଶ୍ୱର କହୁଛନ୍ତି:

ଛାଡ଼ ବାବୁ ସବୁକିଛି, ମିଛ ମାୟା ସଂସାର

ଆ, ଉପରକୁ ଆ ।

**

ଆକାଶରେ ଅମ୍ଫାନ୍‌, ପରେ ପରେ ପଙ୍ଗପାଳ

ପାତାଳରେ ଭୂମିକମ୍ପ

ଚାରିପାଖରେ କରୋନା

ତିନି ଲୋକରେ ଯାତନା ହିଁ ଯାତନା ।

ତ ଏବେ ଭାବନା...

ମଣିଷ ଯିବ କଉଠି?

ଆତ୍ମନିର୍ଭର

ଆମ ନବଘନ ବାବୁ ଭାରି ଆତ୍ମନିର୍ଭର ମଣିଷଟିଏ ।

ନିଜ ପିଠି ବି ସେ ନିଜେ ଥାପୁଡାଇ ଦିଏ ।

(ସୌଜନ୍ୟ: ତ୍ରୟମ୍ବକ ଶର୍ମା, ସଂପାଦକ, କାର୍ଟୁନ୍‌ୱାଚ୍‌)

ଓକେ, ଟେଷ୍ଟେଡ୍‌

କରୋନା, ଚୀନ୍‌, ଅମ୍ଫାନ, ଭୂକମ୍ପ,ପଙ୍ଗପାଳ, ମାନ୍ଦା ଅବସ୍ଥା... ଏସବୁ ପରେ ଯିଏ ବଞ୍ଚି ରହିବ- ତାରି ମୁଣ୍ଡରେ ଷ୍ଟାମ୍ପ୍‌ ଲଗାଯିବ- କ୍ୱାଲିଟି ଚେକ୍‌ଡ, ଓକେ, ଟେଷ୍ଟେଡ୍‌ ।

(ସୌଜନ୍ୟ: ସାମାଜିକ ଗଣମାଧ୍ୟମ)