Vol: 5 | No.: 01 | APRIL 30, 2012 Lab newspaper of Media Education Research Centre for private circulation only

16th century Mughal Wall tumbles to encroachments Page 3

PANOS conducts workshop at MERC Page 4

MERC goes green Page 5 Need to ‘Be a good storyteller to be a good lmmaker’ keep eye on Page 8 NGOs: Kirmani Page 5 MERCTIMES 2 MERC pays rich tributes to Aasiya Jeelani

! QAYOOM MADNI

edia Education Research Center M(MERC), Kash- mir University organized a programme on April 20 in the memory of Aasiya Jeelani on her 8th death anniversary. Aasiya was a pass out of 1998-99 batch of MERC. She was killed in a mine blast at Chandigam, Lo- lab in 2004 while she was travelling along with a team of a human rights group, J&K Coalition of Civil Society to monitor the elections. On the occasion, the speakers paid trib- utes to her. In his ad- dress, Head, MERC, Prof S Mufeed Ahmad said, “Aasiya is a role model for us. One could see her contribution idea and attempt in this regard.” particularly for the betterment of widows Aasiya’s junior at MERC, Sadiq Ali and half-widows. She decided to work for recalled the fateful day when she was a noble and left a lasting impression on killed. Ali was travelling in the same us. Her death was a huge loss for all of Sumo vehicle which was hit by a us.” Perhaps death was land mine. Speaking on the occasion, senior fac- “It was raining heavily. We had to go uty, Nasir Mirza said it was his privilege the best cure. Her to monitor election in far-flung Lolab to be Aasiya’s teacher and play a role in arms were broken area in . Aasiya was not sup- shaping her career. and lips twisted. posed to be with us, but she made it at the “Aasiya was a different girl-her seri- last moment. We reached the place and ousness, thoughtfulness and concern for She is fortunate that I went out from the vehicle. I was just others was unique. On that fateful day people remember nearby when I heard a big explosion. Ev- I was also invited to be part of the CCS erything was black. There were screams. team, but destiny did not allow me to her, but unfortunate Our vehicle was hit. I rushed towards the board the bus. Asiya was an exception; for widows and vehicle. Our driver Ghulam Nabi’s body she had the courage to venture out where half-widows that was torn in pieces. Aasiya was injured nobody dared to enter,” Mirza said. and lying unconscious.” “She opted for hardcore journalism. they lost the bird who Our other member Khuram Parvez She gave voice to most vulnerable sec- was singing their was also hit. It took 20-25 minutes to get tion of the society,” he added. mournful songs ambulance and another 25 minutes to Arshid Mushtaq, one of her class- reach the nearby hospital. We were told mates, recalled his days with Aasiya to shift the injured to . Asiya while they were studying at the univer- was in my lap. She was remembering her sity. mom.” “University pass outs are lucky in “Perhaps death was the best cure. the sense they cherish the memories of Chinar trees in Naseem Bagh to discuss Her arms were broken and lips twisted. their student life, but our batch is not so issues and learn from experiences of each She is fortunate that people remember lucky for whenever we recall our days at other. Aasiya wanted to portray the real her, but unfortunate for widows and MERC, the picture of Aasiya brings tears condition of the women who don’t open half-widows that they lost the bird who to our eyes,” h said. up with the male journalists. ‘Voices Un- was singing their mournful songs,” Ali “We used to sit under the shade of heard’ the magazine she edited was her added. 3 MERCTIMES 16th century Mughal Wall left at the mercy of encroachers ‘Indifferent government, people to blame’

! Souzeina Mushtaq encroachers and stone excavators. The au- Kathi Darwaza seems to have been the prin- thorities have not only failed to remove the cipal entrance with inscriptions – lore has it rinagar has been the seat of power for encroachments but many new constructions – so as to welcome the emperor. many dynasties in the past including have been allowed around Kalai. Although the major portion has been en- SMughals. The historic monuments of “Even the graveyard has not been spared. croached upon, the stretch between these the city stand testimony to its past glory, but While the number of illegal encroachments three main gates of the historic wall is worst their present condition also convey the apa- continues to go up, authorities act as mute hit. Besides the two sides of the mighty wall, thy of the modern day governments and peo- spectators. People illegally resort to construc- its top too has also been encroached. ple alike. Kalai- strong wall– in the foothills of tion of houses around Kalai, thus ensuring its It is seen that over 700 meters of the ram- Koh-e-Maran is a case in point. slow but steady deterioration,” says a local part have developed massive cracks. And According to historic accounts, Kalai was resident, M Ashraf. experts fear that if immediate restoration built by Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mu- The local residents say that over the measures are not taken, the portion would hammad during 16th century. years, particularly since 1970s when the then collapse. “After taking over Kashmir, Akbar government rehabilitated a particular com- “The major issue of the Kalai is its dam- started construction of the aged part. Due to the wall around the then city negligence of authori- Naagar Nagar in the heels ties, non-maintenance of Koh-e-Maran. Although and lack of care the wall it was not completed there has suffered extensive and then but his son Noor- damage. It is quite tragic Ud-Din completed that encroachments were it later,” says noted poet allowed to deface the and social activist, Zareef historic wall,” says con- Ahmad Zareef. venor INTACH, Muham- “Kalai is the identifi- mad Saleem Beg. cation of an empire and “We at INTACH are defines the rich past that trying to restore the parts people have forgotten to which are clear of en- care for.” croachments. We can re- A study has revealed store some of its damaged that of the 4.75 Kilometre parts and portions which long Kalai, an estimated 800 are substantially restor- meters are missing while able but government now some 700 meters are badly too needs to wake up for damaged. The structure is the restoration of Kalai,” in disarray despite the fact he says. that it was declared a ‘pro- Eminent historian tected monument’ in 2010. munity near Kalai, residential dwellings Prof Fida Hasnain says blaming government “Unfortunately, this heritage site was ig- popped up close to the rampart. for everything is unfair as people are as much nored and no attention was paid towards its Scores of houses and other structures responsible for the preservation of the histor- preservation for around 22 years. Some of its have come up in the proximity of the Kalai so ic sites. portion was dismantled by people,” the poet much so that the Mughal rampart is serving “People are not aware of the importance says. as the forth wall of many hutments, they re- of this heritage. It is the prima-facie duty of As per the Archaeological Survey of In- vealed. every person to maintain the glory of the dia (ASI) norms, 100 meters of area around “It was Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah heritage sites. We cannot directly blame the a monument has to be kept free of any struc- himself who rehabilitated us, otherwise we government for everything,” he says. ture. The Union Government is planning to had nowhere to go,” says a local resident, Mu- Although state’s tourism department has double the radius of the restricted area. But hammad Akbar Sheikh. come up with a plan on the development of for Srinagar, encroachments are so close to “Nobody paid attention towards the Ka- Naagar Nagar, the area within the neglected the Kalai that people residing “illegally” en- lai. Since we had no option, and compelled by historic wall, experts believe that conserva- joy with their backs resting on the Mughal the circumstances, we started building our tion work cannot be started unless the en- Wall. sheds around it,” says another resident, Gh- croachments are removed. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultur- ulam Nabi. However, restoration work is in progress al Heritage (INTACH) has also come up with “Kalai (Faseel-e-Akbari) took 23 years to at various spots which have not been en- a survey of the Kalai. The organization terms get completed, between 1597 and 1620,” says croached so far. the condition of Mughal Wall as “deplorable”. Zareef. “Preservation of Kalai should be every- The rampart, which was believed to be 28 Mughal Wall has three gates – Kathi Dar- one’s concern, both at individual level as well feet high and 13 feet wide, stands exposed to waza, Sangeen Darwaza and Bachi Darwaza. as at collective level,” says Zareef. MERCTIMES 4

MERC We are trying to break the barriers of education which is confined to the four walls of a goes green class room. Plant trees on Jhelum Banks ! Qayoom Madani riers of education confined to the four walls practical knowledge”. of a class room. The media studies should en- Prof Mufeed further said such initia- s part of its initiative of tives will infer social responsibil- ‘going green’, Media Edu- ity among the studentsand will give Acation Research Centre them better understanding of the (MERC), Kashmir University in society. collaboration with the depart- Chief Engineer Flood Control ment of Flood Control and Irriga- and Irrigation, Muzaffar Lankar, tion was held a day-long planta- who was part of the plantation tion drive alongside the banks of drive, lauded the media students by river Jhelum on March 24 . saying that plantation drive is a wel- The initiative was first of its come step taken by the MERC. High- kind started by the students of lighting the importance of Chinar MERC. More than 50 Chinar sap- trees Muzaffar said, “Chinar has lings were planted. been our heritage passed unto us by While starting the drive, ancestors which is a like a precious Head of Department MERC Prof jewel in the beauty of Kashmir at- Mufeed Ahmad, said the depart- tracting thousands of tourists from ment has started various cam- across the world.” He further said paigns in current year and plantation drive is compass knowledge from business to politics, our department welcomes such initiatives and one such initiative. and we will continue with such efforts so as to we provide every possible assistance to make He said, “We are trying to break the bar- enrich our students with every possible and such drives possible. PANOS conducts workshop at MERC

tor PANOS, Dr Harpreet Kour said the work- BBC World Service; Himayun Qaiser, AIR, Train students in shop is part of two-year project titled People & Basharat Masood; Indian Express and Pawan Places started by PANOS. Bali, CNN IBN were the key mentors during urban reporting “The project aims at promoting urban the five- day workshop. affairs reporting in Jammu and Kashmir,” ! MERC NEWS DESK

five-day workshop was organized by PANOS, ASouth Asia in collabo- ration with Media Education The project aims at Research Centre, (MERC) promoting urban affairs from March 25 to 30. The reporting in Jammu and workshop was aimed at train- Kashmir ing the students to report on issues of urbanization and di- Such programs prove versity. Speaking on the inaugural highly beneficial for function, Head of the Depart- media students to ment, MERC, Prof Mufeed Ah- sharpen their skills so mad said, “Such programmes prove highly beneficial for that they can apply them media students to sharpen in the field their skills so that they can apply them in the Kaur said. field.” Dr Aloke Thakore, co-founder JM Foun- Speaking on the occasion,Project Direc- dation; Tinku Ray, South Asia Editor, 5 MERCTIMES Need to keep eye on NGOs: Kirmani Orphans, widows, destitute get only 40% of Social Welfare Department funds’

! Nishah Zargar/Showkat Lateef stitute of Culture and Philosophy, Kash- mir University said people in the state n independent body should be have enough money and they can easily set up to keep vigil over the func- come forward to help the destitute. Ationing of non-governmental “When Dr. Sir Muhammad Iqbal Organisations (NGOs) in the state and visited Kashmir, he saw abject poverty, people should inculcate a sense of re- but now people have money so that they sponsibility towards the needy people. can give alms to poor and needy,” he These views were expressed by the said. speakers at the 12th annual day func- “Though we are in conflict with tion of Jammu and Kashmir Yateem West on numerous counts but as a soci- Foundation held here on April 29. ety we must look and learn from their In his address, Justice (Retd.) acts of charity.” Bashir Ahmed Kirmani called for set- Former chairman of JKYF, Ateequl- ting up of an agency to keep vigil over lah Bukhari asked people to develop a the functioning of NGOs in Jammu and sense of social responsibility towards Kashmir “so that genuine organisations the needy people. “We should help or- can function properly with a sense of re- phans in getting married.” sponsibility towards orphans”. charity.” On the occasion, JKYF released its annual “The social welfare department grants funds In his welcome speech, JKYF chairman, report according to which the foundation has to the influential orphanages and the deserving Muhammed Ehsan Rather stressed on the need received charity of Rs 4.65 Crore in the last two remain in the dark. They just give 40 per cent to to inculcate sense of social responsibility among years and they have spent Rs 3.73 Crore so far. the needy while 60 per cent of the funds are be- people. Other guests present on the occasion were ing embezzled,” he said. “People prefer Nimaz because that is easy noted columnist Dr. Javaid Iqbal, poet and so- Kirmani accused the social welfare depart- to perform but only few people dare to give the cial activist Zareef Ahmed Zareef, civil society ment of spending the fund money in useless ac- charity,” he said. member Shakeel Qalander and senior faculty at tivities. Rather said orphans spend 10 years in JKYF Media Education Research Centre of KU, Nasir Without naming the organization, he said but when they have to pursue higher studies the Mirza. an NGO received crores of rupees for rehabilita- orphanage can’t afford their expenses. Besides, the function was attended by stu- tion of AIDS victims. Citing the Supreme Court verdict accord- dents of MERC. “When I asked them what they did with the ing to which private schools have to keep 25 per A documentary titled Sang-e-meel on the allotted money, they said they have distributed cent seats reserved for Economically Weaker history and achievements of JKYF was also it among the clerics (Imams) who would educate Section (EWS), he said it is not being followed screened on the occasion. people about the disease and the precautionary in J&K. The function ended with a prize distribu- measures. It was disgusting,” Kirmani said. Concluding his speech, Rather said JKYF tion ceremony in which the first and second po- Stressing on the need for charity, he said, is a transparent organisation and people can sition holders in the recent class 10 examination “People spend hefty amount every day. The check the account of the foundation. Mohammed Ismael and Irfan Ahmed Parray state spends about 8 crore per day on meat, mo- “Suggestions from people are welcomed and were awarded with certificates and cash prizes. bile bills, drugs, petrol and other miscellaneous any query from the people will be responded in Besides, the position holders of Moral Science expenditures. If people can spend crores of ru- a positive way,” he added. test conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Yateem pees per day, why can’t they give a part of it to Dr. Bashir Ahmed Nehvi, head of Iqbal In- Foundation were also felicitated. MERC students attend video workshop at EMMRC ! Ashraf ul Hassan impart basic knowledge of video produc- tion to the students. edia Educational Research Cen- “Such workshops make students con- tre (MERC) in collaboration with scious about the production of different MEducational Multimedia Research progammes,” she added. Centre (EMMRC), Kashmir University or- The EMMRC resource persons for the ganized a 15-day workshop on Video Pro- workshop were Shafqat Habib, Ajaz-ul- duction for MERC students of third semes- Haque, Akmal Hannan and Tariq Abdullah. ter from February 28 to March 12. During the course of the workshop, stu- Speaking on the occasion, Head MERC, dents produced four documentaries besides Prof. Mufeed Ahmad said the students have group discussions on different issues. to understand their strengths and over- Meanwhile, students expressed satis- come their weaknesses with positive atti- faction over the conduct of the workshop. tude. “Such kind of workshops help us get “To generate interest among students acquainted with the basic skills and tech- for production of films, MERC will conduct niques of TV production. The workshop is such kind of workshops with different in- In-charge director of EMMRC, Dr Sal- practical based and we enjoyed the experi- stitutes,” he said. eema Jan said the workshop is meant to ence,” the students said. MERCTIMES 6 Condolence Incomplete drain meeting at MERC irks Gulshan Nagar Glowing tributes paid residents to Izhar Wani Construction work yet to finish even after failing two deadlines ! Rouf Bhat

wo years have passed since the drainage work Tin Gulshan Nagar Now- gam was started, but still it is incomplete even after two deadlines set by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) have already passed, thereby continuing to keep the resi- dents of area hostage and risk- ing the public life. Residents of the area feel condolence meeting was held that the construction of the at Media Education Research drainage is going on at ‘snail’s ACentre, pace, causing inconvenience on April 5 on the death of eminent to the residents of the area. journalist and Srinagar Bureau Chief “I feel as if I have been of Agence France-Presse (AFP) Izhar kept under house arrest as Wani. the lane outside my house Izhar was the student of MERC since the lane was dug out to batch 1987-89. The function was at- construct drain last year. Even after a year, it The roads have not been blacktopped and are tended by faculty members, schol- seems a distant dream to see the construction hardly fit for vehicular movement. ars and students of MERC. completed in the near future,” said Abdul Ra- Meanwhile, ERA officials say that the Referring to his contribution, hu- heem, an elderly resident. construction was stopped due to the sub-zero mility and courage, HoD MERC, Prof. “I have to park my vehicle on roadside temperature prevailing in the valley during S Mufeed Ahmad said, “It is a moment from last eight months during night as the the winters. of sorrow for the whole state of Jam- main entrance gate of my house is blocked “It is impossible to start the concrete con- mu and Kashmir in general and me- from eight months due to the incomplete struction in the sub-zero temperature. But dia fraternity in particular. drainage work,” said Muneeb Ahmad a resi- we will restart the construction next month,” Recalling Izhar’s days at MERC, dent of the area. said Ghulam Hassan, project officer ERA. But senior faculty, Nasir Mirza said, “He Construction of the drainage started two even as the weather has improved, no prog- was an ever smiling, always gentle years back and even as some portion of the ress has been made to complete the pending and highly talented student.” drain is complete, most of the manholes are work in the area. “He was the definition of good incomplete, thereby risking lives of pedestri- He added that the unfilled stretches will journalism,” Mirza remarked while ans. be filled within a couple of weeks. referring to Izhar’s strong commit- The local residents say that in case of any Meanwhile, District Development Com- ment to the fundamentals of journal- medical emergency or fire incident, it is im- missioner, , Muhammad Rafi, said ism. possible to save human lives as the road is the work will be completed within a couple of Others, who spoke on the occa- blocked due to the incomplete work. months. sion included Director EMMRC,Dr. “I usually don’t allow my kids to go out- “I have already directed ERA and the con- Shahid Rasool and columnist and Sr. side as I fear they might fall in the open pits struction firm to complete the work within Producer EMMRC, Aijaj-ul-Haq. of the drain,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, another the allotted time frame,” said Rafi Later the students and faculty resident. He further added that they have formed a members of MERC went to Izahar’s The work including the manholes in some team to supervise the work in the area,” residence at Sempora to express soli- of the lanes has been completed but the filling However, the residents of the area allege darity with the bereaved family. of the drain is still incomplete. that despite the repeated pleas to DDC, there Expressing deep sympathies with The condition of roads has been deterio- has been no headway in the work. the bereaved family, the speakers re- rated by frequent rains, which makes it diffi- “Work is still going at a very slow speed called the qualities of Izhar. cult for the locals to come out of their houses. and it is causing trouble to everyone particu- While praying for eternal peace to Residents of adjoining areas of Methan larly to the school going children and elderly the departed soul they expressed soli- and Nowgam allege that the roads of these people,” said Habib ullah Bhat, president of darity with the bereaved family. areas have been left in dilapidated condition. the local mohalla committee. 7 MERCTIMES DECLINING SEX RATIO IN J&K Census report vindicates researcher’s claims ! Heeba Din Gul says, were pressure from the husband have come true, the health services de- (in 30 per cent of the cases), pressure from partment seems to have woken up from rom being hailed as a place of hav- in-laws (40 per cent), joint decision of the the slumber. ing no female foeticide to being couple (20 per cent) and the wife’s…… Worried by the interim Census re- Fridiculed for having second “In a patriarchal male-dominated port, which has shown a sharp decline worst sex ratio in India, Jammu society like ours, preference for a in sex ratio in the state, Chief Minister and Kashmir has made a dismal male child is in our psyche,” Omar Abdullah called for immediate re- journey in the past 16 years. she said. medial measures and “action on ground” The recently released Census to check the menace of suspected female report points to a shocking rise feticide and infanticide. in female foeticide cases in “We are the third worst state in the state. this regard after Punjab and Hary- As per the report, there ana. If anything needed a mass are only 859 females movement and public appeals it against every 1,000 males would be this,” he posted on micro- in the state. In 2001, for blogging website Twitter. every 1,000 boys under Various government agencies seven year age, there were have sealed nearly 150 unauthor- 941 girls. Now the number is fur- ized genetic clinics, imaging, scan- ther down and with that ning and ultra-sonography centers in J&K has emerged as next the Valley. State Health Minister, Sham only to the states of Punjab Lal Sharma has been reviewing the prog- and Haryana. ress of the work done by his department in A study conducted by Dr keeping a tab on unscrupulous elements Gul Afroze Jan of Law Department within the fraternity. of Kashmir University in 2007 predicted Simultaneously, people are being the bias against female child. warned of the legal corollary of pre-natal She included 100 women, 10 ultrasound “ A sex selection or determination. clinics and 10 doctors in her research sam- son perpetu- After the census report, separatist ple. Jan found that 13 per cent of diagnos- ates our family politicians Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and tic centers in the valley carried out gender name and line while a Muhammad Yasin Malik also joined the determination tests illegally. girl is thought to be a bur- campaign against “dukhtar kushi” or Of the 100 respondents, about 10 per den, to be married with a huge female foeticide. cent said they have gone for such tests. dowry.” “It is a matter of shame that Kashmi- Of those, 30 per cent had done the test for However, Gul’s report was widely ri Muslims are aborting their girl chil- the second time and had already aborted criticized and ridiculed by gynaecologists dren,” Mirwaiz had said. a girl child. and ultrasonologists. He cautioned people that the practice The reasons for aborting the girl child, Now years later when Gul’s findings was profoundly “un-Islamic”. Cholera threat looms large in Sonawari village Banyari Sharki alleges govt indifference ! Mohammad Imran Muzaffar “No one comes here to see us. drinking the water even after effective in managing outbreaks. We have been abandoned by the boiling it. They are the worst suf- But in this village, there is no hree years back when Chol- government,” she says. ferers of this problem. They are sanitation and locals continue to era hit this far-off village Surrounded by dense forests, school-going kids,” he says. drink untreated water from Jhe- Tleaving men, women and vast grasslands and dozens of Locals say children complain lum. children sick, doctors attributed muddy water canals, this village of rapid dehydration during sum- “Government should provide the disease to the water sources has no proper healthcare facility. mer. “In schools they drink same clean drinking water to us. It contaminated with bacterium “All the sick are carried to water and fall ill most of the times. should also address the problem Vibrio cholerae in the area. How- Hajin and Sumbal towns for treat- We are caught in a serious prob- of sanitation ,” says another local. ever, the threat of another disease ment on carts as we have no prop- lem,” says Muhammad Subhan. Chief Engineer PHE Kash- breakout looms large as the locals er facility for treatment,” says a Children between six and 12 mir (Division) Ghulam Rasool continue to use contaminated wa- villager Bakhtawar Dar. years of age are reportedly prone Zargar said the villages would be ter. “Water is Allah’s gift but we to diarrhoea. soon surveyed. “Please mention “In 2009 we all fell ill. We were have to refrain from drinking it According to World Health those villages and we will take ac- engulfed by a dangerous disease otherwise we will fall ill or it may Organization when outbreaks tion on what they are lacking,” he which endangered our lives. You end up killing us,” Dar says, add- of cholera occur, efforts should told MERC Times. see what we drink,” says Haleema ing that the children are prone to be directed toward establishing District Development Com- (49) as she fills a pot with the pol- fall ill of the water. clean water, food, and sanitation, missioner Bandipora did not re- luted water from river Jhelum. “Our children feel nausea because vaccination is not very ceive repeated telephone calls. MERCTIMES 8 Vice-Chancellor Visits MERC, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Kashmir University, visited Media Education Research Centre (MERC) and interacted with the faculty and Head of the Department, Prof. S. Mufeed Ahmad on March 3. It was his rst visit to the department after the winter vacation. Prof. Mufeed apprised him of the academic activities and initiatives taken by the department which include the Media Tour of the students outside the state, their placements in dierent media organizations, and the 21- day Internship of 4th semester students at various leading media houses. Prof. Mufeed also briefed the Vice-Chancellor about the 14-day Video -Production workshop which is in its full swing. The Vice-Chancellor assured full administrative and academic support for the upgradation of the department and hoped MERC becomes the agship department of the university. He stressed upon the faculty to garner resources by procuring various research projects of national and international level for enhancing the professional standards of the department. The Vice-Chancellor expressed his satisfaction over the functioning of the department under Prof Mufeed. Be a good storyteller to be a good filmmaker: Mike Pandey Talks about fragile ecology, erratic climate and stinking ! BaseeraRafiquee

eteran filmmaker and three-time Green Oscar winner, Mike Pandey vis- Vited Media Education Research Centre (MERC) and addressed a special session at- tended by students, research scholars and the faculty of the department on March 29. While discussing the nuances of the docu- mentary filmmaking, Pandey said, “To be a good filmmaker, one should be a good story- teller.” Sensitizing the students about the frag- ile ecology, he referred to the erratic climate and the stinking Dal Lake. He urged students to make documentaries on the environment in Kashmir. “Local filmmakers should docu- ment films on Dal and other environmental issues in Kashmir”. He further said that the Earth has been plundered badly because people are unaware of their actions. “The pen and the camera are the power- ful tools in your hands. Use them to enhance provide more opportunities to the students to MERC at JamiaMillia in the past. the awareness of the masses about the criti- excel in the field and this interactive session Mirza said Pandey has the distinction of cal environmental issues of our times,” he with Pandey is the beginning of a new initia- re-defining the genre of documentary film said. tive and direction”. making and expanding its scope. Earlier while welcoming the guest of In his introductory remarks, senior facul- The session was attended by noted cin- honor, Prof S.A Mufeed Ahmad, Head of the ty member, MERC, Nasir Mirza recalled his ematographer Inder Kathuria, Tariq A Bhat, Department MERC, described Pandey as a long association with Pandey and thanked CEO Associated Media, Rafia Fazili, Director “versatile genius”. He said MERC intends to him for the help and guidance extended to Operations Riverbank Studio.

Patron: Vice-chancellor Prof. Talat Ahmad Chief Editor: Prof. S Mufeed, Editor: Muslim Jan, Sub-Editor : Suhail Ahmad, Graphic Designer: Aga Shahi Students Editorial team: Imran Parray, Ab. Rouf Bhat, Qayoom, Basit, Ruhail e-mail: [email protected] The opinions expressed in the write ups are those of the authors and do not necessarily re ect the policy of MERC Times or the department of Media Education Research Centre