An all-pervading enthusiasm and infectious confidence filled the air at The Hindu office at Begumpet where children showed eagerness to learn to break all barriers.
The visit of about 160 students from the Telangana State Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions to the office on Sunday to pick up a few lessons on journalism reflected their ability to charter into new areas of learning that such students often fear to try. Of course, they returned with information on the profession but not before sharing that they were ready to face the challenges in trying their hand at journalism.
The students were part of the TSWREI Society’s summer programme ‘Samurai’ where they get a chance to be exposed to various professions and interests during vacation. Chosen from all the 31 districts of Telangana, the socially-disadvantaged students, most of whom are also first generation learners, said they wanted to make a difference in the society using journalism as an instrument.
The two-hour session saw questions on media bias to challenges in the profession and dynamics of newspaper publishing to why The Hindu was a sought-after newspaper even after a journey of 138 years. The Hindu Telangana Bureau Chief Ravi Reddy; Deputy City Editor R. Ravikanth Reddy and Senior Assistant Editor Srinivas Subramanyam answered the questions giving an overview of the newspaper’s journey, its credibility, quality of the news delivered and the newsroom dynamics.
The students were given some tips on improving their English language skills and how they could use blogging to enhance their writing and creative skills. They were also told about the immense opportunities in the Civil Services if they worked hard. Interestingly, the students themselves revealed that The Hindu was the paper for Civil Services aspirants in the country and how it has become a part of their learning in schools.
The students asked questions in English quite confidently and argued their views eloquently. They were accompanied by their teachers.
