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A Journalist’s Journey Beyond Language!

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The Story Behind the Headlines There are some events you attend just to listen. And then there are others that leave you transformed, altering how you see your field, your dreams, and even yourself. Madhav Gokhale Sir’s session on “My Bilingual Journalism” was, for me, firmly in the latter category. It wasn’t just a talk about journalism; it was a heartfelt narrative of resilience, self-belief, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. For those of us who live and breathe words, Gokhale sir’s journey felt like a lesson in what it truly means to build a career with purpose . It was a rare opportunity to hear the untold chapters behind a 40-year-long journey. The one marked by resilience, risk-taking, and relentless learning. From Small Beginnings to a Lifetime of Impact Born into a non-English-speaking background and starting his academic life as a commerce student, Gokhale sir’s first brush with English wasn’t until Class 5 . For many, that might have been a barrier. But, for him, it ...

Right vs. Privilege!

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  Stop Clapping for the Bare Minimum We live in a world where people are celebrated for being allowed to do things they should have never needed permission for in the first place. You apply for an official document, and it gets processed in a month. Someone says, “Wow, you’re lucky it was so fast.” You get to walk home safely at night. You whisper, “Thank God nothing happened.” A girl asks her family for permission to pursue higher education, and gets it. Everyone praises the family for being “modern.” But hold on, why are we cheering for basic rights being granted as if they were luxuries? We’ve reached a point where fundamental rights are treated like special favours , and people are taught to feel grateful instead of entitled . Example 1: RTI – The Right That Feels Like a Privilege The Right to Information (RTI) Act was created so that every Indian citizen can question public authorities and access information about government decisions, spending, and functioning. An...

Forever Bonds?

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We often speak of certain connections as if they’re carved in stone, ' forever bonds' . The ones that come into our lives unexpectedly, stay quietly, and shape us profoundly. These are the relationships we don’t plan, don’t define, and rarely forget. They're emotional sanctuaries, full of comfort, trust, and a rare kind of understanding. But a question lingers, almost unspoken: Are these bonds truly forever? It’s easy to believe in permanence when everything seems to be in alignment. When communication flows, when presence is effortless, when care is mutual and natural. In those moments, it feels like nothing could ever pull such a bond apart. But life has its own rhythm. People grow, priorities shift, silence creeps in, and sometimes, even the strongest connections begin to fade, not out of anger, but out of distance. Not because the bond was weak, but because time didn’t wait for it. So then what remains? Does a bond still count as “forever” if it no longer exists in ou...

My Pillars of Strength on Brothers Day!

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Today is Brothers Day, and while the world celebrates the beauty of brotherhood, I sit down with a heart full of gratitude, love, and memories that deserve to be treasured in words. For me, this day is not just a reminder of having brothers, but it’s about having soul companions who’ve walked with me through every storm and sunshine, who’ve lifted me when I couldn’t lift myself, and who’ve believed in me even when I was full of doubt. A Little History  Brothers Day is celebrated every  year on May 24, mostly in the United States, but over time, it has grown across the globe as a day to honour the special bond shared with brothers. The idea is to pause and acknowledge those who stand as silent protectors, loud cheerleaders, and forever friends. While it doesn’t carry centuries of tradition, it carries the warmth of real connections. And that’s what makes it so special for me because I’ve been blessed with not just one, but two brothers, each unique, each irreplaceable. Piyush...

Echoes of Valor!

  Photographic Exhibition on 1965 War Showcases Strategic Lessons To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 1965 India-Pakistan war , the Olive Green Society of Ex-Servicemen and Officers , in collaboration with the Department of Communication and Journalism (DoCJ), Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) , organized a photographic exhibition at Ranade Institute on Saturday.  Retired  Air Marshal Vir Chakra winner Prakash Pingle  and  Retired Wing  Commander Vinayak Davre   looking at their own photographs from the   1965 war . Honouring War Heroes The exhibition was inaugurated by Air Marshal Prakash Pingle (retired) , a decorated war hero who shot down a Pakistani fighter jet during the war. Wing Commander Vinayak Davre (retired) also graced the occasion, sharing firsthand experiences from the battlefield and underscoring the pivotal role of the Indian Air Force in securing victory. Other notable attendees included: Lt. Col. Avadhoo...

Upholding Ethics!

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 Arun Sadhu’s Legacy Honored with Book Launch Code of Journalistic Ethics , a book by the  late veteran journalist Arun Sadhu , was launched on Tuesday at Patrakar Bhavan, Pune. Edited by the  late Dr. Kiran Thakur , former Head of the Journalism Department at  Ranade Institute , the book was unveiled in the presence of  senior journalists and media professionals . A Tribute to Journalistic Integrity The event was coordinated by the  faculty of Ranade Institute  and  Granthali Publications . During the launch,  Nachiket Thakur , son of  Dr. Kiran Thakur , announced a  new initiative  to support  investigative journalism . “We are privileged to carry forward my father’s legacy. To honor his contributions, we have decided to introduce an  annual award  for young investigative journalists and provide a  financial scholarship  to a journalism student each year,”  he said.   Concerns Over Changing ...

The Magic of Post-Production!

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My Experience at Piyush Shah’s Session Movies are more than just great performances and gripping stories. A huge part of what makes them impactful happens after the cameras stop rolling. I recently attended a session on post-production by Piyush Shah, Founder and Director of Bandish Studios, organized by the Center of Excellence for Media,  Pune Management Association and Department of Communication and Journalism . The session was an eye-opening experience, revealing the behind-the-scenes magic that transforms raw footage into cinematic masterpieces. Session by Piyush Shah Breaking Down the Cinema Workflow Piyush Shah started the session by explaining that filmmaking is an umbrella activity, where multiple teams collaborate to create the final product.  He divided the process into three stages—pre-production, production, and post-production, emphasizing that post-production is where the technical and artistic aspects merge to refine a film’s stor...