Date: 2nd August, 2025
The Department of Journalism, Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, had the honor of welcoming veteran journalist Nidhi Razdan as the chief guest for our Orientation Day. She addressed the students with grace, confidence, and infectious energy, offering thoughtful guidance on shaping their future paths. The moment was deeply moving for me—both professionally and personally. Witnessing my former colleague from NDTV, who also happens to be from my alma mater IIMC, inspiring young minds, thrive with such elegance and purpose, filled me with pride and emotion. Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda
Report by Malvika Anand and Ayushi Rai
The Department of Journalism hosted its orientation for the incoming batch of first-year students with a warm and spirited welcome on August 2, 2025. The session began with an address by the department union, which introduced students to the department’s environment, academic journey, and student-led culture. Their welcome set the tone for the day, helping freshers feel comfortable and excited for what lies ahead.
Following this, they introduced the Chief Guest, Ms. Nidhi Razdan, a distinguished Indian journalist, author, and media educator with over two decades of experience in broadcast journalism.
Ms. Nidhi Razdan addressed the students with a thoughtful and encouraging talk, setting the stage for meaningful conversation around journalism and its role in today’s world. She began by sharing her thoughts on the changing face of media and why journalism continues to matter, reminding students that “having knowledge is your biggest weapon.”
After her initial remarks, she invited students to ask questions, leading to an open and engaging dialogue with the new batch. Students posed thought-provoking questions such as how one handles fear and pressure in journalistic practice, and how integrity is maintained in the face of external influences. Responding with candour, she discussed key themes such as the role of journalism in a democracy, the rise of digital and citizen journalism, the challenges posed by misinformation and fake news, and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence on media practices.
Ms. Razdan also reflected on her journey as an LSR student and fondly recalled her first reporting assignment, which she undertook under the guidance of Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, now the department’s Head.
Emphasizing the importance of media literacy, the need to question narratives, and the responsibility journalists hold in an age of information overload, her responses, grounded in experience, offered clarity and inspiration to students stepping into the field.
After the engaging interaction, Ms. Razdan was felicitated by Prof. Vartika Nanda as a gesture of appreciation for her valuable insights and for taking the time to guide and inspire the new batch.
The orientation continued with an academic overview led by the department union, where they explained the structure of the Journalism programme, covering the distinction between core and additional papers. Their clarity and enthusiasm gave the freshers a deeper understanding of what to expect academically, while also underscoring the student body's active role in departmental functioning. Faculty members then took over to elaborate on key academic policies: Ms. Sneha Bhati introduced the IPAC (Internship, Projects, Apprenticeship and Community Outreach) and the attendance policy, while Ms. Suruchi Shirish provided details about the fourth-year extension under the UGCF structure.
Students were also introduced to various departmental platforms and initiatives that extend beyond the classroom. The department’s flagship academic fest, Juxtapose, was presented as a vibrant one-day event that brings together media, ideas, and young voices across disciplines, a space for conversation, collaboration, a bit of chaos, and a whole lot of fun. Additionally, students were informed about the department’s two major publications: CounterTalk, the annual newsletter, and The Fourth Estate, the bi-annual journal, both of which serve as avenues for student expression, editorial experience, and journalistic inquiry.
As the session progressed, the union took a moment to formally introduce the freshers to the faculty members who form the academic backbone of the department. Each faculty member extended a warm welcome and shared a few words, helping students feel more connected and reassured as they stepped into this new phase.
.jpeg)
