Editors’ Conference 2015
07 September 2015
The Scindia School hosted the 4th edition of Editors' Conference from 3rd-5th September. 11 schools from different parts of the country participated in it. These were
:
- Assam Valley School, Assam
- Genesis Global School, Noida
- Daly College, Indore
- Welham Girls', Dehradun
- Welham Boys, Dehradun
- Scindia KanyaVidyalaya, Gwalior
- Maharani Gayatri Devi, Jaipur
- Vidya Devi Jindal School, Hissar
- BK Birla School, Pune
- Vasant Valley School New Delhi
- The Scindia School, Gwalior
On the day of arrival the delegates were divided into twelve groups through a draw of lots. This is done so that students work in a totally non competitive manner. This also ensures that students imbibe the best practices from the delegates of the other participating schools by working in close collaboration with them.
The keynote speakers were Mr Kishlay Bhattacharjee - an author and senior journalist with NDTV, Mr Akhil Hardia a seasoned Photojournalist, Mr Rakesh Mewade- Senior Graphic Designer with a reputed daily, Mr Arindam Mukherjee the Associate Editor, Indiatoday.in and Mr Nalin Mehta- Consulting Editor, Times of India. Each of the speakers shared their skill with the students and spoke about the ethics, challenges and rewards of journalism. Each talk was followed by an Open House wherein the delegates asked many pertinent questions related to the different aspects of journalism.
The students along with the teacher delegates were sent on a field trip for news collection after which they worked diligently towards creating a newsletter. The distinguished speakers were also there to help and guide the students during this activity.
The last day of the conference saw the keynote speakers give feedback on the work done by the students. The delegates were given very valuable inputs to improve the quality of reporting. The photographs and their placement as well as the general layout of the newsletter was discussed in great detail. The delegates found this session very useful and it will definitely help them come out with better quality publications in their schools.
The conference received wide coverage in the local media and all the keynote speakers were very appreciative of the concept of such an event. One of the speakers Mr Kishlaya Bhattacharjee has offered to help create a network out of this group and start a young editors programme supported by his foundation. He will also work towards creating a dedicated space for them and have workshops by trainers in all these schools.
Apart from the intensive brainstorming sessions and gruelling hours spent preparing the newsletter the delegates also had several moments of relaxation and fun. The icebreaking session with a rocking band performance and the cake cutting ceremony by the Editors-in Chief of the Review and Qila Quotes provided the right atmosphere to mingle and get acquainted with each other. The aesthetically done up reading area became the favourite spot for all delegates to relax and unwind. They could also be seen hopping from one photobooth to the other posing for photographs.
The other star attractions were the performance by the School Brass Band in the opening ceremony which completely mesmerised the audience. While the melodious Editors'Conference song ' Kalam Ki Taqat' reminded them of the power they wield with their pen their grey cells were kept ticking through the 'Food for Thought' contest. Each day the delegates answered one question based on journalism and the best two responses received a book prize.
The delegates went back with a great sense of accomplishment and with several words of praise for Scindian warmth and hospitality. They also left us with the promise to be there with us next year again for the same.
