Their casual attire and easy stride can easily be confused with nonchalance. But as these final-year students of Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad, share their diverse views, their awareness and eagerness to learn comes as a breath of fresh air.
Back from a trip to Vishakhapatnam and Srikakulum districts, these journalism students had a first-hand experience of rural field reporting.
They went to the grassroots level to learn about local issues and problems, trying to understand the troubles of the villagers and their fight against the atomic power plants, and also getting the perspective of the local authorities.
“We interacted with the villagers and found out more about their agitation and the impending loss of livelihood and health issues,” explains Nikhil M.G., one of the student editors of their magazine Vantage . “Also interacted with the local authorities to get both sides of the story. We had done our background research of course before we went on the trip.” The magazine will contain stories and photo features based on their trip and the content and layout will be handled by the students as a part of their final project.
During some of their field assignments they also encountered stories that left a deep impact on them.
“During some of our interactions with the villagers we realised how helpless we are and we also discussed in what ways we can help them out,” says Arnima Rao, who also felt the need to do objective reporting instead of getting swayed by emotions. Shruti Shetty shared a more shocking experience. “One of the villagers was ready to sell her daughter and insisted that I take her with me,” she says. “I was a bit flabbergasted and didn't know how to react.”
The students also felt that the villagers were wary of the mainstream reporters, but more willing to talk with them. Shiva Krishna Gundra found, “In spite of being aware that we were students, they trusted us and shared their experiences with us.” Most of the students agreed that the experience was a slice of reality for them and much different from earlier reporting assignments, which were done within the confines of their college. “We get our stories from talking to our colleagues and professors in the University or over the phone,” says Rahul Pisharody. “But this trip gave us more confidence.” Amanda Tariang adds, “Now I feel compelled to share their problems and create awareness.”
Apart from the news reports, the magazine will include news analysis and features about the culture and flavours of the villages the students visited. “The field experience gave us enough exposure and taught us to be more accountable and responsible for what we write,” says Midhun Raj U.
With their two-year course coming to an end, the students are ready for campus placements and to start their journalism career. And how confident are they? “We are trained in reporting, desk work and page designing,” says Sidharth Varma.
He speaks for all his classmates when he adds, “We are ready for the real world and to deal with whatever comes our way.”
