IIMC to start specialisation programme for journalists: Union minister Vaishnaw
New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) will start a fellowship programme for journalists from next session for specialisation in certain fields like technology, economy and strategy, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday.
Vaishnaw said this on the sideline of the 57th convocation of the IIMC here.
"I have to share with you that from the next session onwards, we will be starting a fellowship programme for journalists, so that they can get an opportunity to specialise in certain fields.
"We have seen, globally, journalists get the opportunity to specialise in technology, economy, strategy, and so many other sectors so that, they can collect that knowledge and have that research potential which is there in them. Next session onwards, we will start that (in IIMC)," he said.
Vaishnaw, the minister for Information & Broadcasting, Railways and IT, said the IIMC is one of the premier institutions of India and it has a very high placement rate.
IIMC students are very well sought after in the media world and the institute today had the convocation programme where Vice President of India laid the foundation stone for the new academic block, he added.
Vaishnaw said it is a totally new infrastructure that is going to be constructing at IIMC's New Delhi campus.
"Also, we have set up an incubator in IIMC. I interacted with the startups. Very creative ideas are coming up. I am specially impressed by the startup which is creating Indian folk tales and converting them into new technology-based storytelling," he said.
Earlier, speaking at the function, the minister said there has been major use of the technology in media now and in many areas the Artificial Intelligence is being used.
He said technology is being used in different ways and under such circumstances, social media platforms provide such platforms that any channel can start its operation with very limited resources.
"This is a major inflection point in mass communication. And you are entering into the field in such a time that you will help build the Vikshit Bharat. You are the Gen-Bharat, Generation Bharat. You are going to build the developed nation by 2047 which is the nation's resolve.
"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has set a big agenda to make the country developed by 2047. In that process, you all will have your roles. you all will make and that is why you are Gen-Bharat," he said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
