SOCH Culminates with an Alumni Meet, Fashion Show and Performer’s Night

Korel,Chandigarh 25 January 2020

The School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh successfully concluded the two day media festival ‘SOCH: Think Out Of The Box’ with a Panel Discussion, Alumni Meet ‘REVIVER’, Fashion Show and a happening Performer’s Night on Saturday, 25th January.  

The second day of the festival started with an interactive Panel Discussion on the topic ‘Cyber Space: The Grassroot Media’. The eminent Media Personalities of the Panel Discussion include Ritesh Lakhi who worked as Senior Editor, News 18 Punjab, Haryana HP 2016 – 2019. He graduated from the department in 1999. He is also the Founding Director of University Institute of Media Studies, Chandigarh University, Mohali. “Print has survived, only the medium has changed. We need good storytellers.” He said focusing on the need of good journalists who are brilliant storytellers.  

Yojana Yadav is 1995 batch pass out who is a Senior News Editor with Hindustan Times, Chandigarh. She oversees the production of HT editions for states north of Delhi.”Newspapers have to and are reinventing themselves. Now a days all the major newspapers have a digital arm. Newspapers will always be known for their credibility.” Addressing the audience, Yogana Yadav said.

Chitleen Sethi moderated the Panel. She works as a Senior Associate Editor for ThePrint. She is an investigative journalist and has worked with the Tribune, the Indian Express and The Hindustan Times. She received the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award for investigative journalism in 2010. Chitleen kept the diverse discussion on track with her well put inputs. She made sure that all the important  aspects of Print, Electronic and Online Media were covered. 

Manu Moudgil is an Independent Multimedia journalist with a focus on environmental issues who is also managing GoI Monitor, a website on policy issues and grassroots governance. “Newspapers these days are running fact checks on their front page. We need more voices to penetrate into the ground level.” He said, on the issue. 

Charanjit Singh is an alumnus of 1978-79 batch of the Department, who worked as a journalist, broadcaster, blogger, author, strategic communication and branding consultant, before founding his own PR consultancy in 1986, the first one in the northern region after Delhi.  

He is an executive coach certified by the International Coaching Federation. Having curated a number of professional and literary events, he is a visiting faculty to several Schools of Communications’ in the country. “My advice to the young budding writers and journalists is write. Write and polish your language. If you do that you will get a job anywhere in any media.” Chiranjit Singh said. 

Alumni from all over India marked their presence for the Panel discussion. Followed by the Panel discussion was an Alumni Open mic where the Alumni shared their innermost feelings about the department. An Alumni ramp walk topped the open mic. The faculty joined them in the ramp walk. Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu addressed the Alumni and the audience present. He is also an Alumnus of the department. The Vote of thanks was given by  Mr. Jayanth Pethkar, Associate Professor, School of Communication Studies. The Chairperson, School of Communication Studies, Sumedha Singh also extended a heartfelt thanks to everyone present. 

The evening started with a colourful Fashion show which saw Participation from eminent Universities of Northern India namely Kurukshetra University, Chandigarh University, Shoolini University and many others.

The Performance Night witnessed spellbinding performances by RJ Abhinav Mirchi 98.3, Saahir Banwait who is a rapper, actor and researcher. Singer Qnaal who also performed at the Performer’s night.