VIPS Spandan 2016: Experts say media students must develop skills as per new technology

New Delhi [India], Oct.26 (ANI): Experts from the media attending the inter college annual mega media festival- SPANDAN 2016 - organized by the Vivekananda School of Journalism and Mass Communication, have unanimously opined that the media space is now overwhelmingly in digital mode, and those aspiring for jobs in this medium, must develop skills that match with new technology. At the media panchayat, a panel of media professionals that included Milind Khandekar, Managing Editor, ABP; Sanjay Mehra, Head Multimedia, ANI; Rifat Jawaid, former BBC editor and Founder, Junta Ka Reporter; and Akash Soni, senior journalist and news anchor, discussed various dimensions of the topic "Is common man ready for a shift from traditional to digital media?" Milind Khandekar said, adding "The digital media has introduced a change in the way of expression." Sanjay Mehra said, "Citizen journalists are already driving the news agenda and editorial in mainstream media." Akash Soni appealed to media students to break old formats and develop new skills per new technology. Rifat Jawaid said, "Digital media complements traditional media with its timeliness and wide reach." Dr. Naresh Sharma, Director, Kailash Hospital; Varun Singh Bhati, Bronze medalist at summer Paralympics 2016 were the Guest of Honor at the inauguration ceremony. Dr. S.C Vats, Chairman, VIPS, Prof I. M. Pandey, Director General, VIPS, Prof. J.L. Gupta, Executive Chairman (Academic Council), VIPS presided over the ceremony. Prof. Charu Lata Singh, Dean, Journalism and Mass Communication, VIPS, delivered the opening address. Dr. S.C. Vats said, "To be a successful journalist, one must gain knowledge of all domains." Prof. J.L. Gupta expressed that students learn more outside the classroom through extra-curricular activities and events like Spandan. Dr. Naresh Sharma said that media students should focus on developing the concentration of mind and the way they communicate. Varun Singh Bhati motivated the students to be goal-oriented and strong-willed to accomplish their dreams. The 2016 Spandan Souvenir was also released at the inaugural ceremony. As part of Cinephile, a screenplay writing workshop by Mahendra Jakhar, screenplay writer of Manjhi- The Mountain Man fame, was also organized. The third edition of Cinephile, the international film festival of VSJMC, VIPS, was inaugurated by Deepak Haldankar, film director and cinematographer with a special screening of his film "Mycorrhiza". The film festival screened films by national and international filmmakers in the student and professional category. The fourth edition of Newseum, an exhibition on news media, was set up by students on the theme 'Investigative Journalism', highlighting cases from Watergate Scandal to Panama Papers. With an aim to promote and support the prestigious 'Make in India' campaign of Government of India, the theme of Spandan 2016 is 'Back to the Roots'. The main highlight of the festival is 'Ehsaas Bharat Ka' which includes stalls of Indian cuisine, handicrafts and handlooms. The first day of Spandan was concluded with the staging of Vijay Tendulkar's play Kamla, translated by Vasant Dev, directed by Praveen Kumar. Dr. Charu Lata Singh, Dean, VSJMC along with faculty member Ms. Divya Arora and Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh expressed satisfaction over the hard work put in by the students. It is the students who organize the festival, generate funds and execute it. The official sponsors of Spandan 2016 include, Take Off Scarlet (TOS), Unity Group, GAIL, Rainbow Fabrics, Pizza Hut, Pepsi and Gold's Gym amongst other. (ANI)