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Catching India live
CNN anchor Veronica Pedrosa in New Delhi... Trying to give a rounded picture. Photo: S. Subramanium.
CNN ANCHOR Veronica Pedrosa came to India for the first time recently. Fed on a diet of camera stills and video clippings of the country all this while, she says she "had cultivated a sophisticated view" of India. But of her five-day stint telecasting live from New Delhi on the evening prime time news show World News Asia on CNN this past week - instead of anchoring it as usual form Hong Kong - Veronica remarks, "The reality is bracing."
She says she has found in herself "an instinctive sympathy" for many a hard life being led here.
Having met a cross-section of Indians ranging from businessmen to technologists to Indian youth in general on her show aired twice daily from this past Monday to Friday, she says she tried "to give a rounded picture of today's India to the global audience."
CNN turning its attention to India is not surprising. "Asia, at present, has seen a big growth in every field. And in this region, the leaders undoubtedly are China and India. So, the CNN's idea behind going big on India is to bring to our viewers a week-long close view of the country," says this well-recognised Manila native. Besides having an eyeful of India, she also conducted a daylong workshop for young Indian journalists.
Sharing thoughts
"I shared my experiences with them. I told them what I have learnt from which assignment I had done in 13 years of my career," says this former BBC World Television correspondent. "Also, we had an interesting interactive session with the participants at the end," she adds. Having covered street demonstrations, natural disasters, soft, human-interest stories and more, as a reporter for Manila-based newspapers before getting in front of TV camera lights to interview biggies like Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, East Timor Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, Philippine President Helen Clark, former Philippine President Corazon Aquino among others, she indeed has a few stories to talk about.
"I should say, the interview which left me most impressed was that of Aung San Suu Kyi's even though I had to talk to her on phone. She moved me. Also, Horta's was interesting enough. He had a ready laugh," she recalls.
Married to award-winning CNN cameraman Mark Phillips, Veronica, a mother of two, says she never compromises with anything but does "a bit of juggling" with her work. "I prioritise work," she offers a tip to working mothers.
Though she thinks stepping into print journalism is an absolute necessity to become a good TV journalist, she points out a significant difference. "While only printed words can describe certain emotional situations, only a team working together can produce a successful TV show. Television is a complete team act. I enjoy this part of it."
The excitement is certainly catching.
SANGEETA BAROOAH PISHAROTY
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