Dr. Vartika Nanda: Media Educator & Prison Reformer: January 2023

Jan 31, 2023

Tinka Tinka India Awards, 2022: Inmates honored in Jails

Tinka Tinka India Awards, 2022: Inmates honoured in Delhi’s Tihar & Mandoli Jails

In a special ceremony in Delhi’s Tihar and Mandoli prison complexes, recipients of the exclusive Tinka Tinka India Awards were felicitated by the jail authorities in January. Three inmates from the two jails in the national capital were conferred the awards by the respective Superintendents of these jails, before a select gathering of inmates and the prison staff. They have been recognised for their exceptional achievements in art as well as for their special contributions towards prison life.

Amarjeet Singh (28) and Jal Kumar (29), both undertrial inmates lodged in Tihar Jail were given Tinka Tinka India Awards under the ‘painting’ category. While Amarjeet, who also works as a ‘Sahayak’ in the painting section of the prison, was given third prize for his special painting. Kumar has received the consolation prize for his exquisite submission in this category. Jaswinder (43), a woman undertrial in the Mandoli Jail, is one of the two inmates who was honoured Tinka Tinka Bandini Award for the year 2022. Recognised for her extraordinary work with the welfare department of the jail, she helps arrange basic facilities especially for those inmates who do not receive any visitors in jail. Jaswinder also runs a beauty parlour inside the jail premises.

Notably, the 8th national Tinka Tinka India Awards were announced in Ahmedabad’s Central Jail, Sabarmati, on December 9, 2022, on the eve of Human Rights Day. Conceived in 2015 by prison reformer and media educator Dr. Vartika Nanda, these are the only awards in India dedicated to prison reforms that recognise and honour creativity and humanity in jails.

The awards are conferred under 4 different categories based on a unique theme every year. With this year’s theme being ‘Newspapers in Jails’, the awards honoured 13 inmates and 3 jail staffers. 7 inmates were felicitated for their paintings, while 4 inmates were honoured under the ‘Special Mention’ category. Tinka Tinka Bandini Award was bestowed upon 2 women inmates. 3 jail administrators were honoured for their special contributions towards prison reformation this year. Of the 13 inmates, 9 were males, 3 females and 1 transgender. 6 of these were convicts and 7 undertrials.

These awards are a part of the many pan-India prison welfare initiatives undertaken by Dr. Nanda’s not-for-profit trust, Tinka Tinka Foundation. More than 100 inmates and 40 jail administrators have already been honoured as part of this exclusive award series, since 2021.

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Tinka Tinka India Awards, 2022: Transgender inmate honoured in District Jail, Dehradun

Recently, District Jail, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, became the site of a special ceremony to distribute the Tinka Tinka India Awards. The awards, which are presented by the Tinka Tinka Foundation, recognise the creativity, contributions and unique achievements of inmates, prison staff, and administrators, being the only national award series in the field of prison reforms. This year, a transgender recipient, 56 years old Sarika, lodged in Dehradun prison was recognised with a ‘special mention’ as a part of the Tinka Tinka India Awards. She was conferred the award by Dadhi Ram Maurya (DIG), Pavan Kothari (Jailor) and Sandhya Negi (Chief Warder) before a select gathering in the prison complex.

Inmate has been detained since 2017 in this jail and currently serves as the ‘Convict Overseer’ of the women section of the prison. Supporting the administration with its mammoth task of facilitating the transition and adaptation of each and every inmate to the restricting prison life, Sarika proved to be a perfect bridge between the prison administration and women inmates, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newly inducted women inmates often turn to Sarika for all their queries and share difficult experiences.

Of the 13 inmates, 9 were males, 3 females and 1 transgender. 6 of these were convicts and 7 undertrials. These awards are a part of the many pan-India prison welfare initiatives undertaken by Dr. Nanda’s not-for-profit trust, Tinka Tinka Foundation. Till 2021, more than 100 inmates and 40 jail administrators have already been recognised under this exclusive award series.

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Tinka Tinka India Awards,2022: Celebration in Central Jail, Bilaspur

Inmates receive Tinka Tinka India Awards in a special ceremony in

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

Extending the ceremonial significance of the occasion, a special programme was organised in Central Jail, Bilaspur to honour the inmates who were chosen for Tinka Tinka India and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards for the year 2022. Three inmates selected for these national awards were felicitated by Superintendent Khomesh Mandavi before a select gathering. These inmates were recognised for their exceptional achievements in art as well as for their special contributions towards prison life.

Chiranjeet, an inmate was recognised with the first prize in the ‘painting’ category, while another inmate Ajay Ratre was conferred the consolation prize in the same category. Both of them are 28 year old convicts lodged in this prison. Woman inmate, Baby Mandle, 45, was also honoured with Tinka Tinka Bandini Award for her efforts in providing educational support to women inmates lodged in the jail. Before her detention, she worked as a

support staff in a private hospital.

Tinka Tinka India Awards announced in Ahmedabad

Notably, the not-for-profit trust continued its long legacy by conferring the 8th national Tinka Tinka India Awards in Ahmedabad’s Central Jail, Sabarmati, on December 9, 2022, on the eve of Human Rights Day. Conceived in 2015 by prison reformer and media educator Dr. Vartika Nanda, these are the only awards in India dedicated to prison reforms that recognise and honour creativity and humanity in jails.

About Tinka Tinka Foundation

Tinka Tinka is the brainchild of prison reformer and media educator Dr. Vartika Nanda who heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi. She has been honoured with the Stree Shakti Award from the President of India in 2014, the highest civilian honour for women in India. Her work on prisons has twice found a place in the Limca Book of Records and was also recognised by the Supreme Court in 2018. Three books under the Tinka Tinka series – Tinka Tinka Tihar, Dasna and Madhya Pradesh – amalgamate the world of literature with authentic and diverse accounts of inmates from across the country.

Credited for introducing jail radio to Haryana, Agra and Uttarakhand in a long-stretched campaign that started in 2019, the organisation has created an umbrella of creativity under the Tinka Tinka Model of Prison Reforms, with the tagline – “Creating Rainbows in Prisons”. Its unique Tinka Jail Radio Podcast series on YouTube and other digital platforms, which recently touched the 50-episodes mark, is also the only podcast series in the country guided by the vision of prison reformation. Tinka Tinka India Awards and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards are extensions of many of these mammoth undertakings.

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Weekly Class Report: Media, Law and Ethics

WEEKLY REPORT: 23th December-27th December, 2022

In this week, topics related to the freedom of speech and expression in India under article 19 were discussed in class. This included various instances and legal cases where the court intervened and clarified what constitutes the rights of the citizens of India. The various cases that were discussed include Indian Express vs. Union of India, Reliance Petrochemicals Ltd. vs. Proprietors of Indian Express, M. Hasan and Anr. vs. Government Of Andhra Pradesh and R. Rajagopal vs. State of Tamil Nadu.

The right to information, including its origin and international development, was talked about. Sensitive issues such as defamation, libel and slander, phone tapping and attacks on artists, authors and cartoonists were also mentioned so as to alert the students about their rights and the limitations on them. The students were assigned tasks to research about the same in detail for the benefit of their knowledge.

Written by-
Stuti Garg
CR, Batch of 2024

Jan 29, 2023

Weekly Class Report: Introduction to Journalism

(Disclaimer: This is a brief documentation of the classes pertaining to Introduction to Journalism, taught by Dr. Vartika Nanda and has been compiled purely for academic purposes.)

WEEKLY REPORT: 12th December-17th December,2022

A discussion was directed with the aim of allowing students to interact with the concept 'INGREDIENTS OF NEWS' and its underlying components. This included proximity, locality, timeliness, prominence, consequences and emotions.

Proximity- Events that happen within the proximity of a news organisation are of more concern to that news media, and readers who are part of the same region.

Timeliness- Refers to how freshness can enhance a story. It is believed the timely nature of a story can attract readers since there exists a need to access instantaneous news or to know what's happening now.

Emotions/Human Interest- Such stories appeal to the emotions of readers, and allow readers to engage with the story in a different way.

Prominence- Refers to how certain events are newsworthy because prominent or popular people are involved (and that might be of interest to the readers).

Consequence/Impact- Refers to the interest in readers with reference to knowing about stories that can have significant impact on their communities or society.

Kissa Khaki Ka: Delhi Police celebrates one year of podcasting

16 January 2023

Kissa Khaki Ka: Delhi Police celebrates one year of podcasting

• First police force in India to have its podcast

• Stories are aired every Sunday

• 55 stories broadcast in a span of one year

• Vartika Nanda is the official storyteller

Commissioner of Police, Delhi Shri Sanjay Arora facilitated the entire team of Kissa Khaki Ka at the police headquarters on 16th January. This the first and the only podcast in India which is run by the police department started on 16th January 2022. This podcast series have presented to the world unique stories of crime and humanity related to Delhi Police personnels.

Release of the book- Kissa Khaki Ka

On this occasion, CP Delhi released the book titled Kissa Khaki Ka- Varsh Ek, Smritiyan Anek at the Adarsh Auditorium, Police headquarters in Delhi. This book has a collection of all the 54 episodes broadcast till 16th January 2023.

The felicitation of storyteller and the team

The Police Commissioner felicitated Dr. Vartika Nanda on this occasion, appreciating her efforts to do this work on an honorary basis. The creative designing team of Delhi Police, Akhya, and the PRO team of Delhi Police were also felicitated along with all those police personnels who have appeared in Kissa Khaki Ka in the past one year.

Storytelling through audio platform

Kissa Khaki Ka is broadcast every Sunday at 2pm on all the social media platforms of Delhi Police. There is a wide range of stories that have been covered so far ranging from murder abduction and cybercrime. The storytelling includes both the stories of solving a crime and also tales of humanity.

The voice of Delhi Police

Kissa Khaki Ka is conceived written invoiced by media educator and prison reformer Dr. Vartika Nanda. She heads the Department of journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University. She also runs a podcast series, Tinka Tinka Jail Radio, the only podcast in India dedicated to prison reforms. Speaking on the occasion, she reflected upon her journey as a television journalist, her doctoral research work on coverage of rape cases by the media, work on prison reforms through Tinka Tinka foundation and her observations on the changing face of media with the perspective of a media educator. She urged the police force to disseminate the good work of police personnel by making available these podcasts as a piece of study at various police training institutes.

The Selfie Point

Delhi Police has created two special selfie points at the police headquarters so that all those who come to the headquarter make it a point to get their pictures clicked at this selfie point.

While Kissa Khaki Ka has already started appearing as a piece of question in various competitive exams, this digital storytelling has a long way to go.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WzW_AResJog

#podcasting #vartikananda #delhipolice #storytelling #digitalmedia

Jan 14, 2023

Kissa Khaki Ka: Delhi Police And Vartika Nanda: First Podcast Of The Police Completing One Year

‘Kissa Khaki Ka’: The Audio Journey

Delhi Police has made its mark in the arena of audio-digital storytelling through its one-of-a-kind podcast – Kissa Khaki Ka. This is the first time in India that a police department has launched its own podcast series. This unique podcast revolves around unheard stories of crimes, investigations, as well as anecdotes of heart and humanity by Delhi Police officials. These episodes are conceptualized, composed, and narrated by Dr. Vartika Nanda, a prominent media educator and prison reformer who is widely known for her Tinka Tinka Jail Radio initiatives. She has been making this contribution on an honorary basis. She heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.

The media team of Delhi Police, led by Suman Nalwa (IPS) has played a crucial role in executing these podcasts with creativity. These episodes are broadcast on the social media handles of Delhi Police, with a new episode released every Sunday at 2 pm. On 16th January, these podcasts are completing one year.

Different kinds of stories

From featuring constable Than Singh’s school for underprivileged children near Lal Qila in its first episode to celebrating the generosity of Sandeep Shahi in distributing helmets on the roads of Delhi with his distinctive campaigning style for the cause of road safety, these podcasts throw light of various aspects of humanitarian side of policing.

Ujala Bikhertee Kiran: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZV_RA71azU

In its many episodic features, the podcast has highlighted the role played by the police personnel in safeguarding the city against the coronavirus pandemic, solving crime, and reinstating the order of justice in the national capital. These stories have dynamically engaged the people of Delhi and nurtured a sense of understanding, respect, and empathy for police officials across all ranks.

Towards a New Era of Podcasting

Kissa Khaki Ka will go a long way in documenting police life and bridging the communication gap between the police and the common public. A similar feat is being achieved by Tinka Tinka Jail Radio Podcast, India’s first exclusive podcast series on prison life and reform, which is conceptualized and conceived by Tinka Tinka Foundation, founded by prison reformer Vartika Nanda. It has provided a platform for inmates and jail staff to showcase their creative talent to the outer world during their confinement.

Tinka Tinka Prison Reforms: https://youtube.com/channel/UCoLvUj5Y1stLIo78eG11Y3g

Episode 17, Tinka Foundation Day, Sheru, and Former Inmates: https://youtu.be/aqIRNBkIpDI

Both these podcasts are bringing forth a new revolution to the world of audio-based storytelling and reinvigorating public life with unique human interest features. With their inspiring narratives laden with positivity and dynamism, these podcasts are making their presence felt among the masses and striking a new conversation in domains so far untouched, unseen and undiscussed by the mainstream public.

Episode 34, One Year of Haryana Jail Radio: https://youtu.be/7sk1GewUFks

Episode 37, Ramnavami in Kurukshetra Jail Radio: https://youtu.be/s8_ylOreiO0

The authors are final-year students of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi.

Link: https://www.womansera.com/kissa-khaki-ka-delhi-police-and-vartika-nanda-first-podcast-of-the-police-completing-one-year/

Courtesy: Woman's Era

Jan 11, 2023

INGREDIENTS OF NEWS

DISCLAIMER: The notes given below are the compilation of information from various sources based on the topics that were discussed in the ‘Introduction to Journalism’ class. These notes are being compiled to help the students of Journalism enhance their knowledge.

DEPARTMENT: B.A. (Hons) Journalism

SEMESTER: I

PAPER: INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM

UNIT:I

TOPIC: INGREDIENTS OF NEWS

Time Period: The mentioned topic was discussed in class in the first week of December, 2022.

News is an account of human activity, which seeks to interest, inform, or educate the readers but it is a pain-staking task to create, organize, write and re-create news material making it worthy of interest for the audience. A news item becomes worthy not just because of its formatting and exposure but also because of the elements which form its part. We may call them “ingredients of news”

1. Immediacy

Immediacy or timeliness is an important requisite of news. A reporter usually places emphasis on the latest angles of an event. The words ‘today’ and ‘tomorrow’ are related in most of the news stories. Occasionally a story may concern events that happened in the past. In this case, the reporter discusses some present aspects of a past event.

We are well acquainted with the term “breaking news”, which highlights the immediacy aspect of news.

2. Proximity

Proximity or nearness refers to geographic nearness. Normally a reader is more interested in an event geographically nearer than the one which has taken place in some remote part of the world.

3. Consequences

A reporter should emphasize the angle of a story that will interest most readers, listeners or viewers in terms of consequences.

4. Prominence

Prominence means persons, places, things and situations known to the public for their weather, social position, achievement or previous publicity. The reporter should always add as many prominent names and places in news stories as possible. The more renowned a particular name, place, event or situation, the more interest the news will create among its readers.

5. Drama

It also promotes the value of a news story. A reporter tries to find a picturesque background and dramatic action for his news.

(This particular aspect has been facing a lot of backlashes and criticisms in the present times as the quality has gone downhill with extremely loud subjects and unnecessary vulgarity. What our critics and audience believe is that some sprinkle of masala here and there is fine and even important, but extreme chaotic news, obscene ness and violation of people's privacy is where they draw the line)

6. Oddity

Oddity or queerness always helps to make facts interesting. The greater the degree of oddity in a story, the greater is its value as news.

7. Conflict

It is one of the most important news elements. It is inherent in nearly all news of sports, war, crime, violence and internal disputes and in all stories involving difference of opinion. Generally, the news of conflict also involves other news values such as drama and oddity and therefore, has an emotional impact, a factor that appeals to many people. Many types of stories have conflict as their underlying element: the struggle against odd. As a wise man once said, “Conflict is the adrenaline of news”

8. Suspense

People need a reason to keep reading. The news shall be able to keep their own edges all the time so that they are fully alarmed when they hear a new piece of info and eager to look into it.

9. Emotion

Anything that deals with people's experiences and conveys real emotion will help them to connect with your message, but this should be done appropriately and with authenticity. It doesn't have to be a tear-jerker of a story, nor does it need to be designed to keep your audience in stitches - sometimes it helps to just be a little bit more human in your communications.

10. Extremes/superlatives

Reporters and audiences might be interested in the first, the best, the longest, the smallest, the highest – if the media can legitimately claim one.

11. Scandal

Reporters want a scoop on the scandal – everyone wants to hear all the details whenever there is moral or legal misconduct.

12. The Bizarre

Anything with shock value seems like a click bait and we keep on clicking and clicking.

13. Celebrity

Whenever something happens to someone important or semi-famous, we tend to care more about it because we have been watching these people growing up and unknowingly a connection develops, and with that a deeper interest in their lives.

14. Impact

Impact poses a question: How will it affect the readers? A reporter emphasizes the angle of the story that interests more readers, listeners or viewers in terms of impact. The number of people affected by an event influences the story’s newsworthiness.

Example: A rise in income tax may, at first sight, seem the basis of a dull and depressing article but it has an impact because it would affect most people’s pockets.

‘The more people involved in an event, the stronger the story, the more impactful it is’.

History never actually repeats, but it does seem to repeat tendencies. Similarly, news stories never duplicate each other, but they do have a way of falling into definite categories. Analyzing them as we read them from day to day or listen to them as they come over through different sources of news like radio, TV or newspaper, we can easily distinguish elements of news interest which recur constantly. Given above are some of the most important elements, which make NEWS. However, there are always occasions when we find new situations arising and taking place as eminent news stories in media all over the world.

(This is compiled by a team of 3 students from the batch of 2026. This is published under the Media Research Cell, established by Dr. Vartika Nanda in the year 2020.)