The Hindu : This media team is different

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 30, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

This media team is different

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 29. They are no professional journalists. Yet they are no less professional in their approach when it comes to writing a story or briefing the media about their latest venture of being part of the team that is all set to go to Pakistan for the "Cricket for Peace'' series to be held there from April 2 to April 17.

Proud to call themselves the "children's media team'', they are a group of six young and enthusiastic child reporters raring to go to Pakistan - and two city reporters who will be stationed here - instead of the usual group of adult reporters. The trip, a brainchild of actress Nandita Das and her husband, Saumya Sen of Leapfrog, features a group of underprivileged teenagers playing cricket with their counterparts in different cities in Pakistan like Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. This unique reporters' team accompanying the children's group would cover the event besides writing a series of features there in Pakistan.

Among the children who have been chosen to do the reportage are Mayank Anand and Ashish Jain of Ramjas School, Pusa Road; Nishid Sood and Akshat Jain of Delhi Public School, Mathura Road; and Sneha Rameshan and Neetu Vincent of Kerala School. Besides the city reporters, Felix Joy and Puja Singh from Kerala School and Gandhi Summer School respectively will handle the media here.

The children are not just excited to cross the border and play cricket matches, they are happy to be a part of all these activities. Akshat Jain of DPS says, "I am proud to be a part of this event. Now I can justify my thoughts about Pakistan to myself".

A similar reaction comes from Sneha Rameshan who feels privileged to be a part of the whole team. She says, "I feel great to be a part of this media team. It is a great learning experience for me." Neethu, her friend is also very much excited about the whole event. Says she, "Earlier I was a bit apprehensive about the whole programme but now I am learning so much and will do my best in Pakistan".

Nishit Sood, another member of the media unit says, "It is one of a kind event by which we will be bridging the gap between India and Paksitan". "Cricket", he adds, "is just a medium to reach out to the people there. If we succeed, the message of peace will spread".

The city reporters from the media unit, Puja Singh is a bit regretful about not being able to go to Pakistan. However, she feels happy to b a part of the children's media unit. She says, "I feel sorry but it does not matter much. Knowing each other is just what is required and in any case, being part of the process has already broadened my perspective.''

Expressing a similar thought, Felix adds, "It is annoying that I am not being able to go to Pakistan. Looks like I have got the leftover job. Nevertheless, this has been a learning experience for me and I am thoroughly enjoying every bit of it."

The "Children's Media Unit'' has resulted from the Gandhi Media Literacy programme initiated by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti in collaboration with the Centre for Advocacy and Research and Samatvam, a media volunteers group in three schools of Delhi as part of the centenary year of Indian Opinion, the newspaper published by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa.

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