Full Magazine Transition

Editorial

The theme of the newsletter for the month of February is TRANSITION. Transition simply means “the process or a period of changing from one condition to another”, as defined by the oxford advance learner’s dictionary. This word is used in different fields for different connotations. In the field of literature it is a general aspects of writing style that signal changes in a story with the use of Transition words, such as "however" and other conjunctions. As a student of media and film it would rather refer to a method of juxtaposing two scenes, including: Wipe, a type of film transition where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape and Dissolve, a gradual transition from one image to another. For music lovers this would mean the middle passage of a piece of music.

As the word leads with different implication we too understand that way. The transition could refer to transformation as well. Now we just passed a transitional phase between the year 2011 and 2012. At present the nature is in its transitional note by shifting from winter to summer. Even the catholic liturgical calendar in a phase of transition from ordinary days to celebrate the paschal mystery of Easter Sunday through the 40 days of lent by practicing fasting and penance. At the same time, we the Niscortians too are going through a phase of transition by engaging ourselves in writing theses, planning for final audio visual production and month long internship before wrapping up the masters degree. Simultaneously there is also a two month long Pastoral Communication Course attended by priests, nuns and lay persons. This group is undergoing a change by brushing up their communication skills only to bring transition in the field of pastoral activities. 

As expressed by many of the participants, these two months are a transitional phase in their life that will give them a different outlook towards their thought as well as activities. We should be happy about any kind of change or transformation that takes place is for our well being. Whether it is nature or our attitudes, we should welcome positive  change. What is constantly true is change, so let’s be welcoming to the transition that would come on our way. Wishing everyone “Good Luck”, I sign out. 

Birendra Baliarsingh

NISCORT Reopens

NISCORT was reopened on 23rd January, after a three weeks of mid semester (winter) vacation. The holiday was scheduled after the completion of 1st and 3rd semester exams held from 23rd December to 5th January. There was no special festivities for the Christmas or New Year as the exams and the celebrations got   collided together. But we were all happy that it was an exceptional Christmas celebration. As soon as the exam got over many students made their way back to their homes. The three weeks of holidays that we got was more than enough for us to greet and embrace the New Year in various ways.  So it was a perfect transition from past to present or between the year 2011 and 2012. 

There is a saying in English that “departure always brings sadness”. The year 2011 is no more along with our holidays since we all went for holidays and came back. What happened in the past hardly people bother  but the reopening of our institute will be a interesting one. The year 2012, for some of our friends will be final year and for some of us will be a great chance to do better than the first semester. Hoping against hope the second year students are expecting to get settled in life after the 4th semester exams, while the first year students are preparing to learn more by studying and basking under the glory of NISCORT. So with the grace of Almighty, this year could be filled with lots of transition in our life through different occasion that we would hold close to our hearts. 

NISCORT reopened. It is not as before. There has been lot of changes within us and in campus as well. We all should reopen our minds to do something new that is expected from us. The pastoral communication course got kicked off from 23rd January. We see some new faces who have come from different parts of India. Let’s all make use of all the opportunities that we get here. The group consists of thirteen members from different parts of India. So the New Year has started with a good note indeed; therefore, let’s make use of all the opportunities availalble here.

Mathew Joseph & Sreeram Pradeep

Republic Day Celebration at NISCORT

As the nation celebrated its 63rd Republic Day on 26th January, NISCORT too celebrated in a patriotic manner. The Chief Guest of the function was Fr. Jude, the Director of NISCORT. The flag hoisting ceremony was held at 8 a.m. The Chief Guest hoisted the National Flag. Bhabani Sankar B. Singh, a 1st year MABJ student delivered the Republic Day message while Roseline Kiro coordinated the entire programme.

26th January, 1950 is one of the most important day in Indian history; on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign republic. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who fought and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of our country. So, January 26 was declared a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India.

This year, the Republic Day was celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country and especially in the capital, New Delhi where the celebrations start with the Presidential address to the nation. The beginning of the occasion is always a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of the martyrs who died for the country in the freedom movement and the succeeding wars fought to defend the sovereignty of our country. Then, the President comes forward to award the medals of bravery to the people from the armed forces for their exceptional courage in the field and also the civilians, who have distinguished themselves by their different acts of bravery in different situations.

To mark the importance of this occasion, every year a grand parade is held in the capital, from the Rajghat, along the Vijaypath. To witness this event our PRO Fr. Domnik went to the celebration site joined by few of the students. The different regiments of the army, the Navy and the Air force march past in all their finery. The N.C.C cadets, selected from all over the country consider it an honour to participate in this event, as do the school children from various schools in the capital. At end of the patriotic fervor, as a transition this day brings the whole country together even in her essential diversity. Every part of the country is represented in this occasion, which makes the Republic Day the most popular of all the national holidays of India.

Ajaya Kumar Nayak

Witnessing the Wonder of the world

English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, said "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud pas sions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones."

A few of the regular as well as Pastoral Communication students of NISCORT on 19th February witnessed the above saying on Taj Mahal in Agra. The season was very pleasant, as it was a transition period from winter to summer. This time of the year is considered to be pleasant time for tourists to visit Agra. So, we availed this prospect and visited the great monument. Tourists from all over the world visit Agra not to see the ruins of the red sandstone fortress built by the Mughal emperors but to make a pilgrimage to Taj Mahal, India’s most famous architectural wonder, in a land where magnificent temples and edifices abound to remind visitors about the rich civilization of a country that is slowly but surely lifting itself into an industrialized society. Taj has a life of its own that leaps out of marble, an architectural masterpiece; nothing could be added or subtracted from it. The moment which we spent in the environment of the one of the new wonders of the world remains a moment of surprise and happiness.

Taj Mahal the symbol of love which was built by Shah Jahan in loving memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, stands on the bank of river Yamuna. It’s immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. In 1983, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Many people flock to see this wonderful place and even from across India to enjoy the scenic beauty and the fresh air which blows from the bank of river Yamuna. The Taj Mahal is a beautiful work of art but difficult to truly enjoy due to the number of visitors. One of the things I most enjoyed was the feel of the cool marble on bare feet. It was an odd moment to get out from the premise and move back to Delhi. The trip was also equally enjoyable travelling by van for 5 hours which will ever remain in memory to cherish the unfathomable love expressed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to his beloved wife Mumtaz. The trip to Agra was indeed one of my desires from the time I had read from my history classes which I materialized so late, and will be cherish ever.

Anjali Sandil

Son of the Soil

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti or'' Desh Prem Divas'' is a well-known day celebrated on 23rd January, every year. This year India celebrated 115th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose. He was born in Cuttack (Odisha) on 23rd January, 1897.  He was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian Freedom Movement.

Netaji was a great freedom fighter, great leader, truly loyal and for all these, he gave up the most powerful position in party politics. People celebrate this day with the great respects. Many schools, colleges, institutions organize cultural programs to mark the occasion. His brain child Indian National Army worked as a transitional force to over throw Britishers from India. Netaji was an honest, practical and courageous son of the soil. He was a great freedom fighter and leader of India. Therefore, this day we observe and remember our freedom fighter for his sacrifice for the transition in obtaining independence of our nation.

Tapan Kumar Nayak

Ravidass: A Socio-Religious Reformer

The medieval period is famous for Bhakti movement in Indian history. Many saints and sufis were present in this time who tried to abolish many evil practices from the society that generated from Indian culture. Among them was Shri Guru Ravidaas Maharaj Ji, who played an important role during this period and tried to abolish discrimination based on caste, class and religion. He was a North Indian Sant mystic of the Bhakti movement who was active in the 15th century. Venerated in the region of Uttar Pradesh as well as foreign country, his devotional songs and verses made a lasting impact upon the Bhakti movement. He is often given the honorific "Bhagat" or "Sant". Guru Ravidaas Ji is also the founder of the Ravidaasia Religion.

He was a polite socio-religious reformer, a thinker, a theosophist, a humanist, a poet, a traveler, a pacifist and above all a towering spiritual figure before whom even head-priests of Benaras lay prostrate to pay homage. He holds an important place among the saints of Indian origin. He is known as Sikh guru 'Shri Guru Ravidaas'. He was born on the day of Maagh Purnima in the year 1398 in a village near Varanasi. He hailed from a poor family considered as untouchable as per the social order prevailing in those days. He is known to be a disciple of Ramanand. His birthday was celebrated on 7th February with lot of enthusiasm in the country.

Ravidaas always worked for the betterment of the society. He explained his thoughts through imagination and devotion in simple words. Due to this, the common people have always easily understood his works. The incidents of his life have always been inspiration to the people.

The Dohas and Bhakti songs written by Ravidaas have always tried to spread love and care among the people’s hearts which are still used by the people. He also tried to bring the Hindus and Muslims together and this is evident from his thoughts which have been expressed in his songs. He said that one can meet God in his own heart even if he does not go on any pilgrimage. His beliefs and teachings are today known as 'Ravidaasi' beliefs and his followers call themselves as 'Ravidaasis'.

"On the happy occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidaas, let us recall the services of the saint and reformer who devoted his life to the service of India's suffering humanity," the President of India said in a message. "May we derive inspiration from Guru Ravidaas to rededicate ourselves to eradicate social inequalities," she added. He taught monotheistic spirituality and spread the message of equality through emancipation from the Indian caste system.

"The ideals of Guru Ravidaas to end all discrimination based on caste, colour and creed are a source of inspiration for us to create a just and humane society," the Prime Minister of India said in his message.

Ravidaas became well known and prominent because he motivated the poor people to challenge the discrimination they faced from the so called upper class especially Brahmins and asked them to fight against the practice of untouchability. His teachings were transition for life which carried the lessons of universal brotherhood, tolerance and equality of all castes.

Ashok Kumar Majhi

Surajkund Mela – 2012

A few Students of NISCORT visited Surajkund Mela 2012, held at Surajkund, near Faridabad, organized by the Haryana government from 1st to 15th February. It is the annual fair that showcases the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances & flavours of rich Indian cuisines. As winter turns briefly into spring, in a period of transition, a caravan of more than 400 National and State awardee craftpersons from every corner of India made their way to Surajkund.

The craftpersons from South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Nations also participated in the Surajkund Crafts Mela.The Craftpersons from all over India, SAARC and other neighbouring countries were selling the best of Handlooms and Handicrafts items. Assam the Theme State of this Year’s Mela is known for rice Granery of India. A number of neihbouring countires also participated in this Mela. Food Court with variety of Indian & SAARC countries Food attracted all those visited the site.

We all shared the Traditional meal and edibles from the Assam canteen. People especially children crowded the Amusement Zone with playful rides and swings. Towards the evening what made us wonder is the stage performances, folk dances, traditional ballets etc.  It has been an unforgettable experience of being reminded of rich cultures and traditions of India expressed though the crafts in the indigenous mela.

Ramesh Babu

Life in Colours

It is easy to go through the known path but all the more very difficult to tread on the unknown path. Choosing to do any course at NISCORT is surely like treading the unknown path in one’s life.  Though it leads to be innovative and creative yet, it needs courage and conviction in life. NISCORT, offering various courses adds color to one’s life. When life is added with color it becomes more beautiful and enjoyable; and when that beauty and joy help to celebrate life with others then it brings meaning to life.

NISCORT provides pastoral communication course for all those who are interested in making their communication skills very effective. This course adds knowledge to pastoral ministry of the church. It helps the person to be creative in thinking and acting in pastoral field. Thus, always it leads the person to be dynamic and understanding. As I am doing the Pastoral Communication Course here, I feel proud that my knowledge is being enriched and my communication skills are enhanced colorfully.

Life cannot be lived anyhow. It has to have certain discipline and principles. Pastoral Communication Course gives the principles and disciplines needed to communicate effectively in the pastoral ministry. Everyone wants to feel, touch and experience what they ear and see. This course helps me to realize  that.

Our country is well known for its unity in diversity. The participants of this course are from different parts of our country. Each one’s language, culture and way of life add colors and moreover makes the life beautiful here and now. Each one is unique in their thinking and acting. Thus it helps us to learn from each other and become better by ourselves. Love and concern for each other leads us to live together. We are all growing together by sharing our knowledge and helping the needy ones. In particular, we all add colors to each one’s life as our knowledge increases. Thus I believe that the pastoral communication course gives us new wing to fly creatively very high and at the same time acts as a transition to new ideas in our lives.

A. Lawrence

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivratri is a Hindu festival celebrated every year in reverence of Lord Shiva; this year it was celebrated on 20th February. Shivratri literally means the great night of Lord Shiva. This festival glorifies the Hindu god Shiva, Lord of cosmic destruction and dance. It is celebrated on the 14th night of the new moon during the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna, during which many Shiva devotees fast and offer special prayers. Shiva is worshipped in the form of a lingam, a phallic symbol with a yoni that represents female creative energy. Together it represents the union of organs, and the totality of creation. Flowers, incense and other offerings are made, while prayers and bhajans are chanted.

Since many different calendars are followed by various ethno-linguistic groups of India, the month and the Tithi name are not uniform all over India. The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael or Bilva or Vilvam leaves to Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. In accordance with scriptural and discipleship traditions, penances are performed in order to gain boons by the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach life's summum bonum steadily and swiftly. A week long International Mandi Shivratri Fair held at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh every year.

While Lord Shiva is worshipped as a symbol of sexual vitality, he is also known to have destroyed the physical form of love, Kama, with His third eye when the latter tried to interrupt his meditation. Loved by His children Ganesha and Skanda, and followed by his dutiful wife Parvathi, he became a symbol of ideal householder to his devotees despite of his well known image as the ideal ascetic. Even today many young and unmarried girls in rural India worship lord Shiva and pray for a devoted husband like Him. Combining both the male and female aspects of creation in him, lord Shiva earned the popular name of Ardhanariswara. Surely, his model image brings certain transition in the life of many of his devotees.

Dukhi Kumar Ranjit

It's Meenakshi Vs. Raja

World around session on February 17th   was a grand feast for the movie buffs in NISCORT. The movie Mr and Mrs  Iyer  directed by Aparna Sen was screened for the film analysis session. The panel session was addressed by the director of NISCORT, Fr. Jude and assistant director, Fr. Dejus. The session got kicked off by the welcome speech made by Fr. Thomas. The screening had a specialty because it was the   first world around session that was attended by Pastoral Communication students.

The movie has received a cult status in India. Made in a shoe string budget of Rs. 2.5 crores, it discussed about the religious fanaticism and fundamentalism that battered the society. The story had a contrast transition to depict; as during a bus journey, a devout Hindu Tamil Brahmin woman Meenakshi Iyer protects a Bengali Muslim man Raja by introducing him as her husband when communal rioting breaks out. Movie had a fantastic casting of Rahul Bose and Konkona Sen as lead actors. Their screen chemistry as well as spellbound performance gripped the viewers’ attention and provided an inclination to deep down to the storyline. Even though it discussed about religious fundamentalism and violence the film maker had adopted an abstract format to convey the story. There was no much of  violence portrayed in the film but in spite of that the filmmaker succeeded in disseminating the message. Aparna Sen a national awardee writer and director has deftly crafted the subject in such a way that it didn’t make the movie too tedious to watch. To its credit the movie has won several national and international awards.

After the screening of the movie there was an analytical discussion session between the students and the faculty members. This was initiated and conducted by Fr. Jude. This process was proved to be a vital and productive phase of the session. It unearthed different perspectives on the movie by the students. On the whole it proved to be an enlightening world around session that NISCORT had in the month of February.

Sreeram Pradeep

Broadcast Engineering Society Expo - 2012

It has been a moment of pride, for students of NISCORT, participating in 16th International Exhibition on Terrestrial & Satellite Broadcasting at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on Friday 29th to 31st of January 2010. The Expo bannered under Broadcast Engineering Society, BES (India). The theme was ‘Broadcasters & New Media Technologies’ and its focus was on the expanding opportunities in the following sphere. This 3 day exhibition was the India’s biggest Broadcasting Technology show.

BES organized this EXPO with a purpose of providing a perfect platform to all media professionals, dealers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and all the organizations related to this field so that it will enforce as transition in the field of broadcast media and technology. This EXPO included display of technology and equipment related to broadcasting arena such as Production & Post Production, Satellite & Microwave, Multimedia, Networking, Cable, Broadband, DTH, HDTV, IPTV, DRM, DRM+, Internet TV and Transmission etc.

Total 78 exhibitors from India and abroad participated in the event. Some of the major companies from the long list are SONY, Prasar Bharati, Prime Focus, Playbox Technology, Harris Broadcast, Qualcomm India, Schaf Broadcast, Sennheiser India, RSG Infotech Pvt. Ltd. WASP 3D and many others.

As we were visiting the sections of exhibition we were introduced to new broadcasting technologies and their Demos. We were given handful of brochures that contained all information about these latest broadcasting methods. This Expo has made us understand the challenges being faced by the Broadcasting industry today and the need to have update knowledge of new technologies in the field.

Ramesh Babu

Past is Past

Past is past, it is what it is; we cannot change it even if we wish.  When it is negative, it acts as an anchor, holding us back.  When it is positive, we can only lean on as if a support. Every day is a new day and this is a new year 2012. As we all have taken steps towards 2012, with a view in mind to do something. So, the question is what are we going to do?

You might respond to it saying, “I just can’t forget what happened to me.”  It could be something traumatic or it could be that you just cannot let go of your temperament what you used to be. I know it isn’t easy.  Letting go can be painful; adding to this, it can even feel wrong in certain circumstances, but the only way we can move on is to let go.

Transform your past to motivate your future.  Use it to help you appreciate this moment and drive towards a better tomorrow.  Don’t waste another single minute by letting your past hold you back.  No one would want that; but this is up to you.  Because, you are the only one who can let it go and you are the only one who can decide to live today.  You have the power to change your potential thinking.  All that you need is within you; you only need to give yourself a better awakening.  You just have to stop looking back and move on.

When the nights are long and you cannot sleep for all the sadness of a past left unresolved; when you cannot draw the future squarely and move on; when the past haunts both your waking hours and your dreams... it's likely that you are in the grip of anxiety and inertia. But there will always be a transition at which you must cease to stay fixed in the past, that will enlighten you from within and help you mark every step you take forward.

A wise man once sat in the audience & cracked a joke. All laughed like crazy. After a moment he cracked the same joke again and a little less people laughed this time. He cracked the same joke again & again; when there was no laughter in the crowd, he smiled and said “When you cannot laugh on the same joke again & again, then why to keep crying over the same thing over and over again. So past is past; why worry for past.

Bhabani Sankar B. Singh

Reason, Season & Life Time

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a life time. When you figure it out which one; you will exactly know what to do for each person. When someone in your life enters for a REASON…..It is usually a need you have expressed. They might have come to assist you through a difficult period, to provide you guidance and support, and to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they step out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, our work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

People come into your life for a SEASON….. Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may touch you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But…., only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional Foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is mystic. Reason, season and lifetime remain an ultimate transition in our relation with others.

Naresh  Kumar Ranjit 

NISCORT Redefines Freedom of Speech and Expression

The staff and students of Niscort felt the steady rising of heat as they discussed one of the burning issues in the media circles through a presentation on- ‘Fundamentalism and the Freedom of Speech and Expression’ in the World Around session on 24th February. It was ably guided by Fr. Devassy, the Course Coordinator of the institute.

Explaining the reason for choosing this theme, “There is a growing fear among the artists and a deep decline in the quality of work after what happened at Jaipur Literature Fest (JLF)-2012. Hence, we felt the issue of freedom of expression under threat is hot and happening”, said Manoj, the leader of the presentation group. Well, after the media, it was the turn of Niscort to condemn the treatment meted out to Salmaan Rushdie by the organisers of the JLF and the cancellation of the release of Taslima Nasreen’s book- ‘Nirbashan’. The group zeroed in on this topic for presentation, as it felt that many instances of fundamentalism- based on religion, caste, region, political affiliations and ideologies is increasingly threatening the fundamental right of freedom of expression.

The group attempted to bring out the theme through video and paper presentations. The video gave an overall picture of the aspiration and exercise of freedom in India and how down through the decades since independence it has been flouted by elements which are ‘fundamentalist’, ‘fascist’ or ‘intolerant’. With its title- ‘Let my Country Awake’, worked as a transition and evoked the audience to wake up for a new and free India from their sluggish status. The three papers presented by- Jomy Thottiyan, Bobbins Abraham and Jhoncy Rubala touched the topics: Constitutional Provisions for Freedom of Speech and Expression, Various Instances when fundamentalists defied this basic right and A Critical Analysis respectively. The papers were appreciated for its thorough research and scholarly contents.

The members expressed their varied experience of doing the research and giving a final shape to the presentation. “I gained knowledge on current affairs”, said Selva Malakia, the second year AVC student; and Walter D’Mello, the first year BJ student was satisfied with, ‘what he could learn from the seniors- like script writing and video editing’. However, Aman, the first year MJ student was candid enough to confess- “I did not put hundred percent efforts. I could have done much more”.

The last word was reserved for Fr. Dejus J.R., the Assistant Director of the institute, who while appreciating the overall content and presentation suggested that the three papers should have had better coordination. Well, that came straight from the management principles. But the special admiration was reserved for the cartoonists of the institute: Mathew and Kaushik, who had done commendable job of presenting the theme on the chart papers. They have the skill and creativity to put idea into lines and curves. That’s what freedom of speech and expression is all about.

Thomas D’Silva

Transition of Love

“Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever.” -Unknown

When we talk of love obviously the young couples come to our mind and whenever we talk of the celebration of love obviously our thought stops at a special day widely known as Valentine's Day. But actually this originated in the west and after the globalization it reached to the east and since then it has become a dedicated day on 14th February for young couples, committed to each other.

The original feast of "St. Valentine" was just a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saint named Valentinus or Valentine. All the modern romantic connotations were added several centuries later by poets. Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.

In India, in the ancient times, there was a tradition of adoring Kamadeva, the lord of love; exemplified by the erotic carvings in the Khajuraho Group of Monuments and by the writing of the Kamasutra treaty of lovemaking. This tradition was lost around the Middle Ages, when Kamadeva was no longer celebrated, and public displays of sexual affections became frowned upon. Around 1992, Valentine's Day celebrations started catching up in India, with special TV and radio programs, and even love letter competitions. The economic liberalization also helped the Valentine card industry.

In modern times, Religious Fundamentlists consider the celebration to be cultural contamination from the West, result of the globalization in India.  Fundamentalist grpups have asked their followers to reject the holiday and the "public admission of love" as they are "alien to Indian culture". Although these protests are organized by political elites, the protesters themselves are a section of fanatics who fear that the globalization will destroy the traditions of the society: arranged marriages,  joint families, full-time mothers, etc. Despite these obstacles, Valentine's Day is becoming increasingly popular in India. The modern Valentine’s Day is a latest transition in the celebration of love.

Birendra Baliarsingh

We Remember You

Senior Journalist Mr George Joseph (58) (former professor at NISCORT) died on Monday in a private hospital in Noida. He suffered a massive heart attack at his residence in Indrapuram, NCR-Delhi on Sunday and was rushed to a nearby hospital in Noida. He breathed his last in the wee hours of Monday. His body was kept at Kerala house, Delhi to enable the public to pay homage and later taken to his home town in Kerala for the last rites on Tuesday.

Mr George Joseph began his career as a journalist in 1980 with the National Herald before moving to Times of India. He was working as a coordinating editor with IANS and posted to Kashmir in the early 1990s with the Indian Express and become an eyesore for terrorists groups, especially Hizbul Mujahideen(HM) because of his writings. Threats were issued by HM asking him to leave the valley but he stayed back. He was the Delhi bureau chief of Malayalam TV channel Jeevan TV. He worked fearlessly amidst challenges, his journalistic approach brought a transition in the field of reporting.

A condolence meeting - well attended by faculty members, professors and students of NISCORT - was held in the Basement Hall at 11 am on February 29. As mark of respect to the dear departed Professor of NISCORT a minute of silence was observed and prayers were offered. Rich tributes were paid to the memory of the courageous and eminent journalist who can be a model for all aspiring media persons. Fr.Devassy, the Course Coordinator organized the meeting. Fr.Dejus, the Asst. Director expressed his words of condolences in the loving memory of Mr. Joseph. Other friends of George - Mr. A.J Philip, Mr. P.V. Thomas and Mr. Yogesh Vajpeye  shared their relationship with him.

Bhabani Sankar B. Singh