student editor

“Aap kis kaam ke liye aye hain?” asked the gatekeeper as we drove in through the gates of the Indian Express with Punita ma’am. ”We are the editors for the special children’s day supplement.” We nonchalantly replied, but all of us were excited and it really was hard to remain calm ad composed. Chavvi, an Express staff member briefed us and told us we had to choose authentic and original articles. As we sat down in the conference hall, segregating the articles I realized that it was a tough job, you had to put in the articles of those children who really seemed to have worked hard, that was just one day’s work.
The next day we edited the articles and chatted (well, actually gossiped), a little with Sheveta an ex- Carmelite also working with Indian express. She gave us a lot of tips which helped us in editing.
All this really wasn’t work,, the serious atmosphere that prevailed was filled with spurts of girly chatter. Doing all of this brought a lot of joy and cheer to us for it was something different and a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. These are two days I can never forget, the two days when I was a student editor.

Obama’s win, time to re-adhere to what we preach in our country

BY: DEEKSHA BHARDWAJ

``My idea of society is that while we are born equal, meaning we have a right to equal opportunities, all have not the same capacity,`` said father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi and this was what proved to be correct in the recently held US elections where `the Black` what most of the news papers called Barack Hussein Obama captured the seat of United Nations’ Top Dog registering a landslide victory. ``The quote says, all have not the same capacity so a `Black’ may have the qualities which a `Wihte’ do not posses.


I do not know whether I should comment on the election of Obama but I am sure that the same sets an example for our country’s politics as well where most of the political battles are fought over communal and casteist issues. Obama belongs to a community that had been struggling to make its mark after inching up from the age old slavery. He also had many examples where forefathers of his community had failed to make their mark despite their sincere effort to make the world realize that no human being is big or small by birth.


Mahatma Gandhi and prior to him many thinkers and observers pleaded for the cause of equality but never achieved a complete success. Now when the whole world is looking and though a little bias is still apparent in the reaction to Obama’s election. Obama is at top and no wonder that our great leaders had tried first to initiate the society into equality besides creating room for the downtrodden and suppressed as their matter of right. I felt particularly happy while reading that Obama is impressed by the Gandhian philosophy.


Though it is indisputable that most of the observers and political commentators highlighted Obama’s victory but most of them said it to be a historic Black’s entry into the White House. Another matter as I read in one of the national dailies that Obama during his campaign never tried to take advantage of the colour of his skin. Ironically, most of the papers and other media eulogized his victory as a Black’s victory and those who did not write it straight painted the background of his picture black thus saying it through visual and not words.


Is it not enough to indicate the bias? Anyhow he had made history and what makes be happier over it is the fact that he got it riding on the Indian principle of equality. And all we need is to re-adhere to what we have been preaching to the world that all are equal and thus deserve equal treatment.

A CUB NO LONGER

BY: ABHIVYAKTI SAXENA



I was wandering in the world…

Thinking......

Remembering the day…

when I had been sinking,

Into a river full of evil.

When my mother came and pulled me out

She protected me in and out

I sat....

Remembering the carefree life I had

I did not know what was to be sad

My life was filled with comfort and leisure

All I had was happiness and pleasure

When I wept the household shook

But now not even I person looks

I miss my mothers consoling hand

Upon my head like a magic wand

I miss those lovely birthday treats

Those gifts and presents and loads of sweets

The new things which my father bought

From classy shoes to beautiful dolls

I remember my sister’s sly grin

whenever I used to enter in

I knew she had played a prank

For this was her habitual plan

Then we used to screech and shout

Till my mom sent I of us out

Now remembering those days…

Are fond memories of mine.

I may be older and much stronger

I regret being A CUB NO LONGER.

I.E in I.E : VISITING THE IDEA EXCHANGE AT INDIAN EXPRESS

BY: DEEKSHA BHARDWAJ


Our liaison with The Indian Express began when we first went for a visit to the office to find out how the organisation was working to bring out a newspaper full of information every morning. The visit left us so mesmerised that we became eager to know more. Since it failed to satiate our hunger and desire to know more about reporting and editing, we looked for more opportunities to gather information. And finally the continuous effort of Punita Ma'am and the constant support of Sr. Maria Christi helped us get enrolled for an internship program with was scheduled to start of with us, Kashish, Pia and me attending one of their most prized endeavors, THE INDIAN EXPRESS – IDEA EXCHANGE! At hearing this all of us turned in unison to ma'am and the expression on our faces could only be described as awe. We were about to leave our footsteps on the sand of history. We were the only fortunate people who didn't belong to the Indian Express but were to be allowed to witness this prestigious event. And all this was to the credit of the Resident Editor of The Indian Express Mr. Vipin Pubby who very kindly opened the doors to let us learn much more.

The person whom were to meet is a big name of Bollywood and we never had imagined of siting face to face with him asking questions. He is a man of virtue, of honor; he is undoubtedly the star actor of a Wednesday. Yes my friends it is Anupam Kher that I mention.

It was by the touch of fate that we the members of the Reporter's Club were given a chance to interview the eminent personality during the prestigious Idea Exchange programme. It was the very first time that outsiders, moreover class 9 interns were allowed to witness this awesome event. Since we were the only fortunate ones to have sat there and witnessed this happening so let me quote one of the incidents,

On being asked whether being bald had made him conscious, he wittily replied "Bald is fashion. Moreover one of my fans gifted me a shirt saying, some have hair other's have brain. So you know it was never that bad."

This was only one of the anecdotes that he mentioned there. Anupam Kher as it is has been a great actor but to imagine that he has such a wit was beyond bounds to me before I actually sat across him. It was indeed a lifetime event at this age. We really had it, guys!

The event served a dual purpose while increasing our knowledge it also provide us with some humorous events that we shall recount years later too. It was indeed like killing two birds with one stone. We had gone there expecting some entertainment of meeting a film star but ended up gathering practicability of life!!!