NEW DELHI: It was a journalistic experience of a different kind. Three youngsters -- Lipika Maharana, Virendra Chaudhari and Renuka as the goodwill media reporters of Plan India, a child-centred organisation that aims to bring marginalised children into the mainstream -- covered the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The trio brought an exciting dimension to the games with television and print stories on sports and cultural events focusing on the Commonwealth Games' values of humanity, equality and destiny. Sharing their experiences with the media here on Saturday, Renuka, who lives in South Delhi's Sangam Vihar district, said this was their first visit overseas and they had earlier worked at community level.

"Media is a powerful tool to create awareness about issues concerning society. Earlier I thought that it was difficult to be a part of media group but now I am much more confident while doing interviews. Journalism is no doubt a challenging profession and I am happy that people are appreciating my work," added Renuka, who has helped produce a children's short film on Parliament.

Virendra, who lives in Mahuawa rural area of North India, said all of them learnt how to handle a camera, brush up their communication skills and were given tips on how to prepare a report.

Renuka said she wanted to interview Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Anju Bobby George but then thought of interviewing special athletes. A short film made by the three young reporters was shown in which they interviewed three special sportspersons.

On their cross-cultural interaction, Virendra said they along with young reporters from Pakistan and Ghana travelled from Melbourne to Healesville Sanctuary.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail