Stroll
down memory lane
Some sweet and sour memories with Roshni
By Mahira Majid Ali
While taking admission in the Department of Media and Communication
Studies, I thought we will start with practical work as it is all about Media.
But the real practical work of journalism started in second year, when we
learned how to report and write news stories, feature, article and profile
writing by our teacher, Sir Sohail Sangi, a man of his word. At the very
beginning of second year, I had no such rapport with him and to be very honest,
I was scared of his eyes. However gradually, I got a chance to understand him
more. During my first presentation in his class, he stopped me and said your
way to present is like a teacher. Are you a “Mastriyani”? His appreciation made
my day. Let me say without good rapport learning is not possible. He taught me
how to work with team, managerial and leadership skills and face problems in
different stages of life. I was a very shy girl in the beginning of my
university life and did not like to talk anybody. At that time, he selected me
as a coordinator of the practical work of Roshni. He might have seen the girl
who was hidden inside me.
Well, the work of Weekly Roshni started in third year, the first and
foremost practical work in print media by our department. This work included
beat reporting, writing articles, feature, profiles, taking interviews, and
proof reading etc. In this way, the work of weekly Roshni continues entire
week.
Roshni newspaper is a trilingual newspaper. I remained editor from the very
first issue till the last of my batch. Till fifth semester, everything was
going smoothly. After that, in sixth semester, the students of M.A-Previous
also joined us. That was the time when I learnt how to deal with different
troubles as a leader. In Urdu board, editors used to complain about mischief of
reporters. Most of the time, they submitted inaccurate news just to get the
attendance. Once, a reporter submitted news with some ambiguity and wrong
picture was published with the news, the concerned department sent complain
letter to our chairperson. On advice of Sir Sangi we apologized and gave them a
sorry note. This made us learn that admission and corrigendum are part of
ethics in Media.
Performance of Sindhi board improved when the students of M.A previous were
added to the editorial board. Still some areas remained problematic.
In English section worked smoothly, as most of the editors and reporters
were good and serious in studies. The major problem was the scarcity of English
beat reporters, as only a few students opt English medium. Here, I want to
share a funny anecdote, once during proof reading, I did not check headline of
a news properly and gave it to sir, saying that I have checked it there is not
any error. Sir Sangi marked the mistake, removed his glasses, gave me and said
to put them on. At that time, I was busted in laugh and remembered his saying
that a dog, crow and a journalist never feel insulted. Synonyms
It was a great time working with Roshni. There were hardships, deceitful tricks as well as troubles
but we all have given our best effort to work with Roshni.
Everyone who worked in Roshni, whether an editor or a reporter, he has
different experience and views.
Rebecca Ursani worked as a reporter as well as an editor says, I
think both have their own charm. As a reporter you have to dig out news in
scorching sunlight but after submitting news you are free. While an editor, no
doubt sits in lab but he has to work whole week in editing pasting and
proof-reading.
Farhana worked as reporter complains, most of the times the news were referred
back. And the reporters had to go back to the allotted beat department to
complete the missing information.
Zain Hyder Shah who worked as editor says, his
experience in Roshni has changed his life. In many ways it grew my thinking and
writing skills. I learned how to deal with the bunch of people. After working
in Roshni, I felt I got an immense grip on the newspaper writing skills. Only
it troubled me sometimes when Sir Sohail used to pass his order to write
editorial in 2 hours or so. This whole experience brought profoundness in my
skills.
According to Rajesh Kumar terms journey of
Roshni as fruitful and wonderful. Not only because we learnt basics of print
media but also cooperation, team work and motivation with knowledge and courage
of teachers as well as fellows.
Saud Worked as editor, says a newspaper which we students
normally regarded a minor thing but working with the team I became aware of the efforts of all the staff
of newspaper and the procedures through which a newspaper goes through then I
realized its worth.
Well, Roshni has given us many memories, increased our knowledge and
experience. Sir Sohail Sangi made us to think like a journalist and work like a
journalist.
Practical work was carried under supervision of Sir Sohail Sangi
Department of Media and Communication Studies, University of Sindh
