Journalism Must Take Society’s Voice to the People: Pragati College Principal

Pragati College Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar addresses students during the Journalism and Mass Communication Department’s Induction Programme at Pragati College, Raipur, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, as faculty members attend the session.-Photo Credi:channel24india,com

Journalism and Mass Communication Department holds induction programme for students; speakers stress field exposure, curiosity, regular classroom participation and continuous practice

Raipur: Journalism is a field that works for society, and students entering the profession must develop the ability to observe, question and communicate what is happening around them through different media platforms, Pragati College Principal Dr Saumya Nayyar said on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Dr Nayyar was addressing students during an Induction Programme organised by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Pragati College, Raipur.

The programme began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp before Goddess Saraswati, revered as the Goddess of Knowledge, followed by the Principal’s address.

Welcoming the students to the new academic session, Dr Nayyar said journalism occupies a distinctive place among academic disciplines because its students cannot restrict their learning to classrooms.

“You are different from students of other departments because you have to go into the field and ensure that happenings in society reach the people through your medium — whether it is print media, electronic media, digital media or social media.” — Dr Soumya Nayyar

She emphasised that a journalism student must remain connected with society and develop an understanding of events and issues affecting people. The responsibility of a journalist, she said, ultimately involves taking information from the field to the public through appropriate communication platforms.

Asking Questions Is Essential to Journalism

Dr Nayyar also advised students to be regular in their classes and make maximum use of the knowledge and experience available from their teachers.

Principal Dr Soumya Nayyar interacts with students during the Journalism and Mass Communication Department’s Induction Programme at Pragati College, Raipur, on Thursday, September 3, 2026.-Photo Credit:channel24india.com

She encouraged students not to remain silent when they failed to understand something and said they should approach their teachers repeatedly until their doubts were cleared.

“If you do not understand something the first time, ask your teachers again. Asking questions should become your nature.” — Dr Saumya Nayyar

Administrator Jyoti Thakur, addressing the students, highlighted curiosity as one of the fundamental qualities required in journalism.

“Journalism is all about curiosity. Be curious to know, keep practising and continue learning from the opportunities available around you.” — Jyoti Thakur

She encouraged students to begin practising journalism within the college itself rather than waiting for formal field assignments. College programmes and activities, she said, could become useful opportunities for students to develop their reporting and writing abilities.

She suggested that students prepare press notes and news reports on events organised in the college and show them to their professors for assessment and corrections. Regular practice would help them understand how an event is observed, relevant information is selected and the material is eventually developed into a news report.

Head of the Department Dr Praveen Yadav welcomed the students to Pragati College and wished them a successful future in the professional path they had chosen.

He encouraged them to make productive use of their academic years and develop the knowledge and practical abilities necessary to establish themselves in journalism and mass communication.

Assistant Professors Kumar Bahukhandi and Sanjiv Verma, and Librarian Sunin Singh were also present on the occasion, along with students of the department.

The induction programme sought to familiarise the newcomers with an important reality of journalism education — that becoming a journalist requires more than completing a syllabus. Curiosity, questioning, observation, regular writing, classroom learning and exposure to the field must develop together from the beginning of their academic journey.