Ankit Agrawal Cellular: +91 99688 85685 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://ankitagrawal.in Flickr: http://bit.ly/1qIBG4i Twitter: @ankitagrawal87
A motivated, energetic and outgoing individual with strengths in news and features writing, editing, photography, organisation and team-management, focused on meeting deadlines and currency of news without compromising with the credibility, who thrives on innovative challenges. Excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of working environments, including print and online news- media, advocacy groups and other organizations.
New Delhi based freelance bilingual multimedia journalist and photographer with broad interests in human rights, health, environment, politics, social movements and arts and culture. Through the career of over six years of experience in print and online media, worked on the above mentioned themes and works have appeared in the publications like BBC Hindi, Tehelka, Mint, Wall-Street Journal, Hindustan Times, Hoot.org, Fountain Ink, The Hindu, Quint Hindi, Zuma Press.
Experience: Freelance journalist and photographer (July, 2016-present) Working on a photography and research project as a part of the 2016 Neel Dongre Grant for Excellence in Photography to document the making of Indian Classical Music instruments especially Tanpura. This is a part of the larger project on the economy of traditional instrument-makers and the challenges faced by them because of technology, government policies and waning interest in classical music. The work will be exhibited at the India International Centre, New Delhi in April, 2017.
Short Term Consultant, World Bank (April 2016 to June, 2016) Involved in supporting the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) in generation and production of various print and online products that will help in achieving higher level of planned visibility around the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin program. Some of the key achievements are: Contributed in developing the concept note of the newsletter. Supervised and coordinated with various stakeholders during designing and production of Swachhta Samachar, Newsletters in Hindi and English. I also wrote the Hindi content for the same. Developed templates in English and Hindi for the people in grass roots to send success stories and photographs. Prepared status note of six states in English and Hindi. Interviewed District Collectors for the BBC Media Action’s upcoming book on 16 ODF districts. Contributed in increasing engagement and outreach on the social media. Involved in translation from Hindi to English and vice versa.
Freelance journalist and photographer (March 2014 to present) Involved in reporting, researching, editing, photography and translation in Hindi to English and vice versa. Documented Mahan Sangharsh Samiti’s struggle to save Mahan forests in Central India for the Greenpeace India. Assisted writer, cultural critic Veejay Sai with proof-reading and editing of his upcoming book on the history of Indian theatre. Book will be published by the Roli Books in September, 2016. Freelance for BBC Hindi. Among other articles, wrote special reports with photographs on the sexual & racial violence on Burmese refugees in Delhi by locals; M F Husain’s knowledge of Hindu iconography on his 97th birthday. Assisted Paronjoy Guha Thakurta, Senior Journalist, Filmmaker, Educator and Editor, EPW on various projects. We also interviewed Rebecca John, senior advocate, on the Media Trials for the media watchdog hoot.org. Assisted Sevanti Ninan, Editor, Hoot, with photographs in her project on the Digitization, Television Access, Public Broadcasting and the Poor. A contributor to the Zuma Press, one of the world's largest independent press agency and wire services. On contract as a journalist and photographer with Easy Expat Living, an international web- zine focusing on travel, food, lifestyle, arts and culture. Involved in visually documenting the Dagarbani-Dhrupad and other gharanas of the Indian Classical Music independently. Also digitizing and archiving the tapes and documents of my teacher Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, a 20th generation musician of the Dagar family. o Some of the photographs from the documentation were published by Niyogi Books, New Delhi, in senior journalist & columnist Humra Quraishi’s book titled Dagars & Dhrupad: Divine Legacy in February, 2016. I also assisted Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar in selecting photographs for this from his private archive. 5500 word long article titled The Vanishing Art of Tholpava Koothu with photographs published in the year-end issue XIV- No. 4 of the Nartanam, a reputed quarterly journal of Indian dance. I was featured as ‘Young Scholar’ in the issue. Also did editing and proof- reading of the issue. Translated old Hindi interviews of eminent art-historian Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan and did research work for Nartanam’s XV- No 2 which was focussed on Dr. Vatsyayan’s work. Edited doctoral thesis of Ms. Pallavi Mishra, Research Fellow, Public Health Foundation of India, titled Global Health Governance and Politics of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs): Critical Assessment of Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) which she submitted at the Centre for International Politics, Organization and Disarmament, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Tehelka (July 2012 to March 2014) Occasionally involved in reporting and commissioning articles for the website and magazine, apart from working full-time as a photographer. Was also involved in the production of the magazine from November 2013 to March 2014. The democratic set up in the organisation enabled this. Some of the highlights are: Occasionally reported on human rights issues and arts and culture. Broke the story of the Supreme Court’s decision outlining qualifications to be a whistle- blower. Profiled Niranjan Sahu, a bonded labor who managed to get free from the oppressive system. Profiled Jazeera V, who first broke a gender barrier by learning to drive an auto rickshaw. She is now taking on the might of the sand mafia in Kerala. Article on a theatre production inspired by Launda Naach, a Bihari folk tradition which is on its last legs. Interviewed veteran actress and activist Shabana Azmi on how the violence against women has permeated every level of society and also about the huge churning going on in the film industry. Interviewed Taimur Rahman, Lahore based academic, political activist and the lead vocalist of the band Laal on his influence, music and being an atheist in Pakistan. Took film-stills of Rebel Music, MTV’s six part series which looked into the lives of young people who are using arts and music to ignite the change around the world. I also assisted Academy Award winning Director, Producer, and Cinematographer Ross Kauffman in the series.
Freelance Journalist and Photographer (June 2011 to July 2012) Involved in researching, editing, photographing and writing during this period. Contributed as a photographer and researcher for books titled The Book of Paan and Breakfasts of India written by Prof. Pushpesh Pant, renowned Food Critic and former dean of School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The books are being published by the Roli Books, New Delhi. Freelanced as a content writer and photographer for the Centre for Media and Alternative Communications, (CMAC) New Delhi. Among other things, helped Parthiv Shah, Director, CMAC, in preparing a coursework on 'Human Rights and Photography' as his course for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) students as a Full-bright Scholar. Also, handled their twitter handle and helped them in organising the launch of their project Women on Record. A photo-essay published on the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union Elections in the bargad.org (March, 2012) Contributed to the Zuma Press, one of the world's largest independent press agency and wire services. I was also doing commercial assignments, one of my commercial clients during this period included DLF Emporio.
Mint (June 2010 to June 2011) Being Trainee Journalist, I was trained in various departments including Website, TV, Features, News and Photography. Among regular news events covered India Outlook Summit of World Economic Forum in New Delhi. Worked as a Photographer and Photo-Researcher for the 'Year End Special Issue', which also came as an App on the iPad and was the first such App by any media-house in India, and the 'Mint Anniversary Issue'. The work involved coordination within various departments for the smooth work-flow in the time-bound manner. While working here, a portrait of Raj Kondur, Director, Ascent Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd was published in the online edition of the Wall Street Journal. Worked with the website and social media desk for three months.
Additional Experience: Photo and Visual Documentation at Tasveer Communications for the television series Forts of India which was aired on the Doordarshan in 2010. The work also involved researching the relevant archival photos and videos. (August 2008 to April 2009) Member of the Organising Committee (Media) of Spandan 2009, an inter-faculty youth festival of Banaras Hindu University. I was doing rapporteuring and was also part of the production of the daily festival newspaper. Worked as a freelancer for the Yuva Vani programme at the All India Radio’s Bhopal and Chhindwara centres in Madhya Pradesh. One of my scripts on environment was also aired. (2003-2005)
Education: Pursuing Masters in Sociology in the distance-learning mode from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). (2017 expected) Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai with specialisation in New Media. Course included: Reporting, Writing for the Web, Multimedia Journalism, Podcasting, and Social Media. Electives opted: Arts and Culture, Health Journalism and Urban Studies. As a part of the course, I submitted an approximately 8000 word long dissertation on “The Vanishing Art of Tholpavakoothu”, a shadow-puppetry art form of Kerala, India. (2009-10) o While studying here one of short write-up with coloured photograph published on the front page of The Hindu’s Chennai Metro Plus. (April 5, 2010) Post Graduate Diploma in Conflict Management and Development from Malaviya Centre for Peace Research, Banaras Hindu University. (2008-09) Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) from Faculty of Social Sciences, Banaras Hindu University. Majors- Political Science. (2006-08)
Additional Qualification: Short Term Course on Buddhism: Art and Philosophy at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. (August 2014) Theatre Appreciation Course from the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi. (June 2014) Undergoing Dhrupad Vocal training under the guru-shishya parampara from Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar, a 20th generation singer of the Dagar family and a recipient of Padma Shree. (Since August 2012) Certificate course in Human Rights from IGNOU. (December 2006) Cleared state level environment awareness examination organized by ECSOS, Jabalpur, MP. This exam was co-sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests. (2005)
Workshops and Training: Participated in a day long hands-on workshop on cryptography organised by the Software Freedom Law Centre, India. The workshop made us aware of the about mass surveillance, data mining with emphasis on establishing the secure communications. (2014) Participated in the seventh media conference which focused on ‘Changing Face of constitutional systems in India and Media’ organised by the Vikas Samvad, Bhopal at Kesla village, Itarsi, MP. Participants included veteran journalists like P Sainath, Gandhian environmentalist and conservationist Anupam Mishra and socialist Sunil Gupta and innovators like Shubhranshu Choudhary of CGnet Swara among others. (2013) Participated in three week long International workshop on Environment, Peace and Sustainable Development, which was jointly organized by the UN University for Peace, Costa Rica and Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by Jan Breitling, Professor, UN University of Peace, Costa Rica. (March, 16, to April, 4, 2009) Participated in three week long International workshop on Media, Terrorism, and Insurgency, which was jointly organized by the UN University for Peace, Costa Rica and Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by Victoria Fontan, Professor, UN University of Peace, Costa Rica. (March, 4 to April, 22, 2009) Participated in ten day long International Training workshop on Social Exclusion and Inclusion in the Saraswati Puja of Banaras, which was jointly organized by the Karlstad University, Sweden and Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by Marc Katz, Professor Emeritus, Department of Religious Studies and Theology, Karlstad University, Sweden. (October, 29 to November, 3, 2007) Participated in International Training workshop on Field Work and Neighborhood Studies, which was jointly organized by the Karlstad University, Sweden and Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by Gerhard Gustanfssom, Professor, Department of Human Geography, Karlstad University, Sweden. (October, 29 to November, 3, 2007) Participated in and helped organize International workshop on Peace-building Through Theatre: Age of Globalization, which was jointly organized by the United States Educational Foundation of India, Jana Sanskriti Theatre Group, West Bengal and Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by Brian Brophy, Actor, Theatre practitioner and visiting Fulbright Scholar, and Sanjoy Ganguly, Director, Jana Sanskriti Theatre Group, West Bengal. (December, 13-14, 2007) Participated in International Training Workshop on Crafting Peace through Citizen Diplomacy, which was organized by the Malviya Centre for Peace Research, BHU. This workshop was conducted by John Davis, Co-Director, Partners in Conflict Project, Centre for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland, USA. (March, 22-25, 2006)
Awards/Nominations: Neel Dongre Grant for Excellence in Photography 2016 to document the makers of instruments used in the Indian classical music. (2016-17) One of the winners of photography contest titled “Without Borders” organised by the MSF India. (2015). Awarded honourable mention in international photography contest titled City Vibes - Engaging with Public Spaces. (2014) Winner of the “Snapshot of Democracy Photo Contest” organised by the World Youth Movement for Democracy, Washington DC. As prize, I attended their Seventh Assembly, which was held in Lima, Peru and also exhibited my work. (2012) Two photographs selected by the Lonely Planet in the mosaic which they created to celebrate selling of their 100 millionth guide book in the world. (2010) Won an online photography contest organised by the http://www.papyrusclubs.com (2009) Nominated by the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for the Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange programme: A programme of the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. (2007)
Skills: Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Audition, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Frontpage, Adobe Dreamweaver, Quark, Avid Express, Adobe Flash, Microsoft Movie Maker, SPSS, Zotero, Mendeley, Atlas.ti. Experience in handling the WordPress based websites and blogs. Experience in research-both field experience and desk research. Writing, editing skills and rapporteuring. Organizing conferences, seminars, and establishing networks.
Languages: English, Hindi Selected Publications:
BBC Hindi:
1. Special reports with photographs on the sexual & racial violence on Burmese refugees in Delhi by locals: http://bbc.in/1YVJXzG A longer version in English with photo-essay can be accessed here: http://bit.ly/1T7vVGK 2. M F Husain’s knowledge of Hindu iconography on his 97th birthday. This article was written in the context of removal of his Ganesha painting from a five-star hotel lobby in Mumbai during Ganeshotsav. http://bbc.in/23a0LEq
Hoot.org:
Long interview of Rebecca John, senior advocate, on the Media Trials and how journalists are sometimes used by the investigation agencies. http://bit.ly/1YVKaD9
Nartanam:
1. ACJ dissertation titled The Vanishing Art of Tholpava Koothu with photographs published in year-end issue of Nartanam XIV- No. 4. Was also featured as a ‘Young Scholar’ for this paper in this issue of the journal. http://bit.ly/1VUZ7Yy 2. Translation of conversation between eminent art-historians Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan with Dr. Premlata Sharma. It was published in Nartanam’s XV- No 2 which was focussed on Dr. Vatsyayan’s work. http://bit.ly/1WURBMv
Tehelka:
1. Who is qualified to be a whistle-blower? Report on a recent judgement, in which the Supreme Court has argued about the basic qualifications required to expose wrongdoings by organisations. http://bit.ly/1VE3c2R 2. A Lone Woman’s Fight Against Sand Mining Profile of Jazeera V, who first broke a gender barrier by learning to drive an auto rickshaw. She is now taking on the might of the sand mafia in Kerala. http://bit.ly/1hzLw47 3. Dancing Queens Article on Launda Naach, a Bihari folk tradition which is on its last legs. http://bit.ly/1QD63kv 4. Interview with veteran actress and activist Shabana Azmi on how the violence against women has permeated every level of society and also about the huge churning going on in the film industry. http://bit.ly/1pKzPhj 5. Interview with Taimur Rahman, Lahore based academic, political activist and the lead vocalist of the band Laal on his influence, music and being an atheist in Pakistan. http://bit.ly/246dkqa 6. Story of Niranjan Sahu, a bonded labor who managed to get free from the oppressive system. http://bit.ly/1SN8FB5 7. In conversation with Preethi Herman, the Campaigns Director, India for change.org, about the protests triggered by the rape of a five-year-old in Delhi. http://bit.ly/26xCBIv
References on request