Gandhian principles losing Learning ‘Art of living’ How about a meme for your sheen in new during pandemic thoughts! Ramchandra Guha, in a lecture speaking Today it has become a form of Memes are one of the greatest on why Gandhi is relevant even today | P2 activism using creative flair | P5 accidental inventions of all time| P11

Amity School of Communication Expressions Volume: I, Issue: X October 2020 Age revision enough to curb maternal deaths? Yashita Arora

rom the ramparts of Red Even after raising the bar to A large number of Fort Prime Minister Nar- 18 years, the child marriage maternal deaths endra Modi addressed on rate has not decreased Independence Day that gov- are due to issues related to Fernment is considering to increase India successfully pregnancy and childbirth. the legal age of marriage for girls brought down Girls who are married at that is currently 18 years. The PM maternal mortality said, “We have formed a committee early age are not physically rate by 9 point in one year to ensure that daughters no longer and emotionally ready for suffer from malnutrition and they with a steep decline being are married off at the right age. As reported in 11 states motherhood soon as the report is submitted, including Rajasthan and Muttreja | executive director, population foundation of india Early marriage & Uttar Pradesh childbirth der Ministry of Women and Child ternal mortality rate or eradicate Development is currently headed malnutrition and poverty. Even appropriate decision will be taken after raising the bar to 18 years, about the age of marriage”. earlier in her Union Budget speech the child marriage rate has not de- The prime minister apparently indicatedby Jaya Jaitly. the Thelowering finance MMR minister (Ma- creased. To eradicate malnutrition - ternal Mortality Rate) and improv- la Sitharaman’s call to augment the ing nutritious level as a sign of im- needs to be understood that apart legaladdressed age offinance marriage minister from Nirma 18-21 provement for our country. fromand healthsocial factor related there difficulties are other it years as a means to ‘lower the ma- But global research and Indian pull & push factors like economic, ternal mortality rate and improving evidence argues that it is not feasi- environmental, lifestyle, dietary, nutrition level’. ble. Government rather than giving government policies, political com- The task force that was set up on rhetoric should understand that mitment that need to be addressed. June 4 consisting 10 members un- such a move will not affect the ma- Continued on P3

Patron Prof (Dr.) Sunil Dhaneshwar, Pro Vice-Chancellor | Editor-in-Chief Prof (Dr.) Sanjay M Johri, Director Associate Editors Sangeeta Pandey & Mohit Sharma | Design Editor Shirish Sharma STUDENT Editorial Coordinators Adeeba Lari, Triyanshi Parihar, Akarsh Bajpai, Sanjana Saxena Printed & Published by Prof (Dr.) Sanjay M Johri for Amity School of Communication , Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus (Internal Circulation Only) 12 Expressions Editor’s Desk From shy to mid no major signs of Coro- na virus graph flattening and Afestival season of Dussehra, confident Chhath and Diwali on the cards, oming from a far- students, in particular are saddened that universities might not re-open in country, the envi- November 2020. ronmentflung area at ofAmi the- Cty University was no less Are we going to meet in New Year! Perhaps yes, as there are conflicting reports of virus resurgence during than a fairy tale for me. To put in bluntly, it was winters and both university authorities and parents are a cultural shock because extra cautious about students moving out of their homes. Students will have to be content with online classes interact with such a diverse group of students and examinations to ensure that they do not suffer aca- whenfor the I joinedfirst time the universityin my life inI got 2011. a chance At ASCO, to demic loss. Although many youngsters have been insisting that they are too stressed being confined within the four person. The faculty helped me improve and walls of their homes for more than eight months and now I evolved from a shy individual to a confident- more than ever they are feeling the need to get out and bilities for events and programmes that are a meet their classmates, faculty, friends etc. partbuild of my my confidence Amity journey. by giving me responsi There is no denying the fact that both the students Currently working as Assistant Manager- (Public-Affairs) leading in Internal Communi- and faculty have been experiencing difficulty in Work from - Home (WFH) because of the increased screen time on ing pharmaceutical company listed in Fortune their computers and laptops but somewhere we have to cations role with Pfizer Vizag,100), (world’s as a public lead realize staying home prevents them from catching the Alumni Corner relations pro- dreaded infection. fessional, I can Overall the country has seen a slight dip in the number always say one of Covid-19 infections, however, the government warns trait is a must have- ‘Jack of all trade, master slight laxity in health protocols might usher in a second of one.’ wave of Covid attack specially with the onset of winter and I would love to highlight how ASCO truly nurtures you to make industry ready profes- pollution level again escalating across the country. sional. I remember getting an earful while To recall, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had learning camera handling and even praises revised the academic calendar asking the universities to on a decent research report submission. My start the new session from November 1, 2020 giving a ray journey towards professional life also started of hope to students to return to campuses. within Amity at the ‘Innovation Incubation However, I think it is not advisable to take a risk in the Center’ on Noida campus. current situation when there are reports of resurgence of ASCO made me work so hard that my proj- the virus and the way people in general are moving with a ects and extra-curricular activities were rec- carefree approach without face masks and disregarding social distancing norm. Amity’s own Infosec startup company. Every singleognized, ladder and I wasclimb, identified ASCO is andfor a will PR alwaysrole in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his nationwide be the foundation of my success address recently, had asked people to maintain an extra The environment of ASCO is such that it has cautious approach during the festival months asserting - though ‘different candidates for Corona vaccines are dence and bring out the best in a student to in different stage of trials, we will have to continue with makeall the him/her capabilities industry to train, ready. inculcate The course confi is health protocols till it becomes available.’ designed and delivered in a way that all six Considering the size of population, India as compared semesters will make you fall in love with each to other developed countries is doing better and we all have to ensure that Covid-related protocols are strictly So, enjoy your journey because this is what youfield will of communications remember the most and journalism.when you climb maintained until a cure is found. the ladder of success. Stay safe at home and enjoy the festivals! Anant Deep Prof (Dr) Sanjay M Johri BJMC (2011-2014) Expressions 3 Gandhian Age revision enough to curb maternal deaths? principles losing Continued from P1 Addressing malnutrition and poverty sheen in new India India is home to 46.6 million stunted children as per the Global Nutrition Report. Nearly Aakarsh Bajpai half of all under- 5 (years) child mortality in India is attributed to under nutrition. Any country cannot aim to attain economic and he principles of non-violence and satyagraha, social development goals without addressing which became synonymous with Father of the na- the issue of malnutrition. A study by Harvard tion—Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a legendary Chan School of Public Health has pinpointed personality known and remembered respectfully Tall over the world, seem to have become a thing of the past. extreme poverty, poor dietary diversity and In an interview author Pramood Kapoor said, “In a way mother’stop five risk lack factors- of education short maternal are among stature, the Gandhi ji is a holy cow or a deity in a temple whom you topmost factor for malnutrition in children. worship but there is nothing you adopt from him in your Even though by bringing the age at par real life”. Although Internationally Gandhi is still the face of with men (21 years) we might be able to ed- India the pioneer of ‘Ahimsa’ and ‘satyagraha’ but certainly ucate the people but in a country where 22% of the population live below poverty it will be Ramchandra Guha, in a lecture speaking on why Gandhi an uphill task. his ideals nowis strugglerelevant toeven find today, a space said in that new in India. his thinking four aspects of Gandhi’s legacy remain rel- Maternal mortality rate evant, not just to India but to the world. Maternal death is when a mother woman First, non-violent resistance to unjust dies during her pregnancy or with 42 days of laws and/or authoritarian govern- termination of pregnancy, irrespective of du- ments. Second, the promotion of ration and sight of the pregnancy, from any inter-faith understanding and reli- cause other than accidental or incidental. As 48 gious tolerance. Third, an economic per data released by Registrar General of In- roads outside model of self-sustainability that does dia, India successfully brought down MMR India are named not exploit nature. Fourth, courtesy in by 9 point in one year with a steep decline after him one’s dealing with public and in public being reported in 11 states including Rajas- debates. The point to remind ourselves than and Uttar Pradesh. This shows that the here is that these were the solutions to the country is on track of achieving Sustainable problems of his time around 100 years ago. Development Goal of less than 70 women In today’s time when the world seems broken. MMR per 100,000 live births by 2020. Poo- Countries and people taking side on the basis of their bi- nam Muttreja Executive Director, Popula- ases. The biggest reason why Gandhi is still relevant today tion Foundation of India (PFI) stated in an is the fact that problems of his time still exist. It’s a good interview that ‘’A large number of maternal time to at least make an attempt to implement Gandhi’s deaths are due to issues related to pregnancy principals in reality. Put religious pluralism above religious and childbirth. Girls who are married at early age are not physically and emotionally ready ‘Ahimsa’ and try to be a tolerant and happy society. India for motherhood.” canhate, decide to question whether governments to have a place but through for Gandhi ‘satyagraha’ in new India and Many will say that those who marry at age or not but certainly no one can deny following and imple- of 21 years and above are better off than those menting his ideals will surely help in making a better India. who marry younger. This is undoubtedly true but various studies prove that those who marry after 21 years are most likely to have Lesser known facts higher secondary and college education these

Mahatma Gandhi was Gandhi was in our society. However, the other socio-eco- nominated 5 times for responsible for civil nomicoutcomes conditions reflect themust fundamental also be addressed inequities to Nobel Peace Prize but rights movement in ensure that the objective of increasing mar- never won it 12 countries riage age for girls is achieved rather than it

An Amity School of Communicationjust Publication becoming another damp squib project. 4 Expressions 24x7 news din drown visual arts journalism in India acter in the editorial team called Shifa Dutt the ‘Arts Editor’. It is interesting that I personally believe from 1996 till today, there hasn’t rom times when drawing that a society, which is been any media house that has re- was the only language we not able to look at the cruited an arts editor. The only pa- could communicate; art has per today that retains a consider- been an essential part of creative forms around able amount of space for features is Fthe communication process. In the The Hindu, but even they don’t have it and respond to them early days of journalism, illustra- an arts editor.” tions, paintings were used to wide- outside of the market He further added, “I personally ly to inform readers rather than just space is a seriously believe that a society, which is not words. Pages in newspapers were able to look at the creative forms deficient society that around it and respond to them out- Arts journalism in India started is getting to be highly side of the market space is a serious- withspecifically big newspapers dedicated tolike visual The arts.Eco- monolithic nomic Times introducing separate be highly monolithic. For me, all this art pages that focused on different ly deficient society that is getting to cultural aspects of the society as Sadanand Menon depicted by artists. Things changed former arts editor, economic times representsArt is a notprocess merely of a communica deficit in art- over the years and that one page tion,writing which but democraticcan evoke deficit”.hard hitting started getting lost among oth- non, who was an Arts Editor with feelings. It’s all about how they per- er news in the race of 24x7 media Economic Times in 1991, called ceive it. In a country like ours where transformation. Hence art pages in Arts Journalism as a ‘mythological’ every single person is so different newspapers gradually turned into course as there is no real space for from the other, art can be the stron- comic strips on entertainment pag- it in the media today. He said, “What gest tool to bring about a positive happened in the period roughly change in the society. But unfortu- and cultural journalism are getting es and finally vanished. Today, art the arts pages were abandoned by Art Journalism is losing out to 24x7 and Page 3 reporting. thefrom entire 1994-1996 Indian was print that media. first of Sec all,- masalanately in news our andcountry looks today, like there Visual is closeIn an to interview, becoming Sadanand just paparazzi Me- ondly, we saw the last of this char- no saving it.

An Amity School of Communication Publication Expressions 5 Fighting environmental, social issues via art West Bengal’s folk dancers’ Sanjana Saxena production “Ekonomi”, all the art forms depict the he earliest form of human mother Earth in agony communication is found and severity of climate in rudimentary paintings change. inside caves when people Climate crisis poses Tdid not know alphabets. Art at that an existential threat time was more than just a creative to every being on the pursuit and with time as commu- planet. The world need to shift our interest towards needs more and more art. Today it has become a form of climate-change. Through literary artists to remind the activismnication techniquesfor many with evolved; artists so using did pursuits, dance, songs, paintings masses about the and other forms, creative individu- magnitude of threat notice important socio-economic als are helping us understand the that looms on andtheir environment creative flair issues to bring like to ourcli- severity of climate-change. humanity as we mate change. One such artist is Manav Gupta speak. With the from Delhi whose famous work is global pandemic, Climate Change Art is ‘Excavations in Hymns of Clay’. He our life has al- has been delivering soul-stirring tered drastical- inspired by climate change messages on the issue of climate ly. Not paying and global warming. Its change using multiple art forms heed to climate like poems, videos and paintings change is akin objective is to represent the for more than two decades now. to digging a climate scenario through His PSA video with a blend of poet- grave for our- ry and painting was commissioned selves. Artists art, which helps form an by the Ministry of Environment and all around Forest to create awareness about the world emotional connection with climate change. have taken the audience Similarly, on January 21, 2020, the pledge an art show opened in the national to keep the capital to draw public attention to- planet in- Such art leaves an impact on the wards climate change crisis. It was tact by mind of the audience. A painting curated by -based art histo- playing that makes us introspect and feel rian Arshiya Lokhandwala and was their obligated to our responsibilities to- titled “We are still alive: Strategies part, it is wards mother nature, is the most in Surviving the Anthropocene”. The time we beautiful masterpiece. Art world show featured sculptures of artists do ours. has been sounding the alarm re- regarding the heavy toll of burning garding climate emergencies for a fossil fuels, melting glaciers and long time now. The primary reason other severe weather events. behind this is that we are on prec- ipice of a historic moment. The ac- of Mandi House metro tions we take at present regarding station,From graffiti Delhi, on theto walls the climate disaster, can make or break our fu- ture. Individuals like Greta Thunberg galvanized the An Amity School of Communication Publication Pandemic stumps idol makers Lensman: Trilochan S Kalra ill the pandemic impact Diwali Celebrations this year? Only time will tell but the potters of Lucknow, who usu- ally did a good business every year around this period by making traditional Lakshmi Ganesh idols made of Wclay, are worried a lot this year. - sans (sculptors) from Prajapati Community. There used to be around 500Saadat houses Ganj, in this is traditional densely populated area in Lucknow area but where barely one half will of them find arti live here now as many have migrated to villages during the lockdowns. Among those who have spent 30 to 45 years in this work are fam- ilies of Rahul Abhishek Sharma, Shankar Rawat, Kailash Prajapati, Rajkumari Prajapati. With Durga puja being held on a very small scale, the artists are now focusing on Diwali to make up for the loss- es. “We used to make idols of Lakshmi Ganesh, Shankar, Hanuman, Durga, Kuber as per the orders received every year but this year

a Lakshmi idol. the orders are scarce,” said an artist while putting final touches to One can see disappointment and sadness on the faces of these artists who apprehend the pandemic will hit their Diwali sale this year. How- ever, they continue to work tire- lessly hoping to get orders as the festival nears. “What else can we do?” asks an artist helplessly as he

It may be mentioned the Prajapa- surveystis face thestiff finished competition idols. from the craftsmen of Kolkata who make all kinds of decorative items besides Lakshmi Ganesha idols well before Dussehra. However, this year it is not about competition with Kolkata artists but surviving the pandemic. 8 Expressions United colours of street art was not just splashing colors on the Riddhi Bhargava of street art. This can be seen treet art originated from the onstreets the streets but a ofmagnificent Prayagraj, growth shenanigans of scribbling Lucknow, Delhi, Chen- Snames on public properties. nai, Hyderabad, and However, it has come a long way Mumbai to name a now. In India, the oldest evidence of few cities. street artists mural making comes from the cave Thus, a thriving cul- and an over- painting in Ajanta, Maharashtra. ture was painted into ex- whelming re- Discovered in 1819, they inspired istence. The local street art sponse of young artists and sculptors for genera- culture was used as a medium admirers. From page tions and continue to be an import- to pour the thoughts in public updates, fest updates, ant part of Indian history of art. spheres with a dollop of creativity. awareness about The other name given to street art Covid, to photogra- From Europe’s ‘Hailed Art - phy, the street art cul- kata. Soon after that, local street ture-based posts are Festival’ to ‘Nuart Festival’ artis graffiti, created which its space bloomed in metro in Kol cit- in Stavanger and ‘POW! ies like Delhi and Mumbai. These platforms like Insta- cities saw the rise of renowned floodinggram, Facebook on multiple and WOW!’ in Hawaii; street art artists like Yantra in 2006, Zine in . With the has taken over the world 2007 and Daku in 2008. Street art view to reach every is no longer a hobby or passion. bit of culture and The local street art has ignited a independent ap- This was followed by the emer- proach, local street gence of a plethora of modes of ex- the world. From Europe’s ‘Hailed art is creating an ad- pression. From hand painted Bolly- Artflurry Festival’ of festivals to ‘Nuart in many Festival’ parts inof mirable and inviting wood posters to truck art, slogans, Stavanger and ‘POW! WOW!’ in Ha- environment by uniting painted advertisements and even waii; street art has taken over the all the different cultures world. in the incredible world of its epicentre in West With time the medium chang- colours. political graffitis whichBengal. hadIt es but the roots remain the same. In the present generation, social media platforms have seen A magnificent show the rise of several of street art during Mahakumbh 2019, at Prayagraj

ASCO Archive Expressions 9 Social media, a boon for artists

Adeeba Lari As everyone now knows, a banana duct-taped to a wall- aybe a few years ago, that sold for more than $120,000? Art has always been an abstract concept of an emotion or feeling, something that themselves as an art- istif on someone social media identified they is experienced by the artist alone, the tangible art created Mwould be met with some snickers of out of an intangible concept reveals a profound truth mockery or even a comment by nosy aunties reminding them that is not about social media: it has a strong-hold over everything, a real job. But with Covid pandemic even free artistic expression forcing everyone inside and online, this misunderstood job has found a new place on the societal mantle. Marizio Cattelan | comedian In theory, a social media artist is simply a person showcasing his ar- something that is experienced by the apy and livelihood. tistic skills on online platforms like artist alone, the tangible art created We have artists like @Kash- Instagram, Facebook, Pin-interest, out of an intangible concept reveals mirthroughmylens who used the Youtube etc, but in reality, it is anoth- a profound truth about social media: beauty of Kashmir as a backdrop er world in itself. it has a strong-hold over everything, for showing the struggles and strife Many centuries ago, artists were even free artistic expression.” faced by the valley’s residents. Even bereft of recognition. Many artists Perhaps one of the key ad- pages like ‘Terribly Tiny Words,’ vantages of social media which hosts some of the - is that it has provided With best Indian writers and edlike any Van appreciationGough or writers for their like Franzmas- many artists a plat- poets has become pop- terpiecesKafka died but before with the they discovery even tast of form of making social media, art is ular. We have food Internet and social media world- their own virtual not limited to museums bloggers playing artists have a found a platform to gallery. Now, our with food styles and connect with their audience. and galleries. It is hundreds of painters - with painters, writ- accessible at the mere advertising their own approve of this art as it has no cen- ers,online photographers, feed is filled swipe of fingers on vision of the world. sorMany board tech where ignorant anything critiques can go dis vi- chefs and even some- With social media, ral in a few minutes ranging from an thing as rare as ‘art out our phones art is not limited to mu- - seums and galleries. It is Not only artists can ing the virtual world. Though, - platformsof pressed like flowers’ Instagram trend constantly gers on our phones. More so, many showcase their talent, but change trends to make sure artists artistsaccessible have atliterally the mere starved swipe to ofdeath fin they can also sell their are often challenged in new ways, and have earned fame after but now for example, the new update of reels with social media, we simply need to creations online directly to have provided fresh new variety of double tap to show our support. The content. customers Not only artists can showcase source of debate, we still ponder on their talent, but they can also sell howbenefits much of harm social it mediadoes but are its stillwork a their creations online directly to with artists is perhaps its redemp- customers. From students stuck at tion online. anecdotes,exclusive piece how tocan the we most forget bizarre Ma- thing. To quote the most recent of way back to their hobbies- “As everyone now knows, a banana inhomes this andpandemic, adults findingart their duct-tapedrizio Cattelan’s to aComedian—which wall- that sold for is, has been used as more than $120,000? Art has always a form of been an abstract concept of an emo- ther- tion or feeling,

An Amity School of Communication Publication 10 Expressions The rise of Indie art film style Nitin Kumar filmy facts ‘Kabhi kabhi galat train bhi sahi jagah pohocha deti hai’ an iconic di- Indie is “Glocal” hybrid films. alogue from the movie “The Lunch- The term ‘Glocal’ is a fusion of box” speaks directly to our hearts. global in aesthetic and local in The movie starring the late versa- tile actor , distinguished content, that has brought the - power of bold rawness to the ing an unchartered territory. Like- Cinema. These new hatke wise,itself aswe a sawunique several attempt other at explormovies (different) films are targeted at - nor, Mukti Bhawan, Court and oth- globalized middle-class audiences ers,like Gangsthat had of Wasseypur,a deep impact Vicky due Do to with local stories & social themes

However, one can draw a con- Filmmakers like Anurag Films like LSD, NH10, cretetheir uniqueparallel and between influential the plots.movies Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, The Lunchbox, Peepli Live, of Indian Cinema before and after Navdeep Singh have become Ship of Thesus, Paan 2009. The reason being a founda- tional change that came into exis- synonymous with this trend. The Singh Tomar, & tence and instigated a wave of rev- streaming platforms have given Haider have successfully olution. such film makers the gift of carved a niche in the Indie We are talking about the emer- creative liberty film world gence of new ‘Indie’ as the ‘Glocal’ a fusion of global in aesthetic and ma, middle cinema of the 60s-70s, sitivity of their plots. Self-funded localhybrid in films.content. The It has term brought ‘Glocal’ the is power and beauty of bold rawness - Her & Final Solution documenta- to the Cinema. These new hatke guagesalong with and Hinglishlocal mood films compel from thebig ryfilms have like faced Amu such& The hindrance. World before The productionsearly 90s. The to flavor invest of theirregional money lan same CBFC turns a blind eye to the and serve the national audience. mainstream misogynistic narra- with(different) local stories films areand targetedsocial at Unfortunately, the bitter truth tives that go without struggle. themes.globalized middle-class audiences remains that this “road less However, the silver lining is that The wave soon en- - India’s visual culture is gradually gulfed Streaming ers doubting their de- moving out of the commercial ma- with exceptionally taken”cisions. still hasThe filmmak success sala-driven shadows of Bollywood - platforms have given - ers like Anurag the filmmakers a gift Singh, War & Student die”) have begun to experiment Kashyap,talented filmmakDibakar of the films Year like shows Kabir the withfilms. form The and independent narrative in films different (“In Banerjee, Navdeep of creative liberty and withstanding domi- - Singh who got the fresh talent audience hooked to Lipstickfilm genres. Under The My powerful Burkha, portray Queen, nance of masala films Pikual of femaleand Kahaani, characters are in some films suclike- - successfullyin the box-office. sending Fromthe cessful examples of the same. Also, telling.their Indie Films film likemaking LSD, NH10, audience Bollywoodon a thought-provoking filmmakers streaming platforms have given the Theand uniqueLunchbox, way Peepli of story Live, Ship of hunt of meaning in incomprehensi- Thesus, Paan Singh Tomar, Masaan and fresh talent like Abhay Deol to still dubious. filmmakers a gift of creative liberty the creations that juxtapose social bleAnother plots, the thorn future in ofthe Indie way filmof In is- realism& Haider with can entertainment. be characterized as becomeOnly time a trailblazer will tell the for thefuture Indie of The historical lineage of the In- Indiefilms. cinema. But there is no doubt die traces back to the post-inde- themdies filmsout in is thethe Centralname of Board overtly of pendence of Hindi & Bengali cine- transgressiveFilm Certification content (CBFC). and the It rulessen- among the audience. that Indie films have carved a niche An Amity School of Communication Publication Expressions 11 How about a meme for your thoughts!

Angela

f I ask, ‘Have you read the news- Ipaper today’, the answer could be did you come across a meme, and I knowa yes for or sure, a no the but answer if the question would be is

Memes are one of the greatest accidentalan affirmative inventions yes. of all time. A meme is a social wonder, spreading like an infection, heading out start- ing with one individual then onto very own existence. ‘Meme’ is artic- ulatedthe next as quickly, ‘meem’. until It is ita takesterm onbegat its by Richard Dawkins. Images today gigantically impact current language and culture. They shape how the young, and the entire web client populace, so far, that is concerned, carry on with their lives. Marketing, advertising and promo- tions professionals embrace memes because it’s inexpensive and trendy. Even political campaigners use me- mes as a medium for communicat- ‘culturally relevant’ and unforgetta- rent affairs. Be it feelings or news, micro bloggers and commenters ble. Memes furnish a chance to in- they pick up the most relevant topic areing withhired the to generatecitizens. Paidcontent. bloggers, They terface with individuals of all sorts. and create humour out of it. This art thus create images and opinions in To state that memes have not had form of communication is old, but the mind of people. any impact on mainstream society, this development is new. Many of us Infact, some can even say we resembles saying that an unnatural get informed about current topics have a new form of communication weather change has had no impact after coming across these memes. among our peers with memes alone. on the world. Memes have become like emojis. There is no formal hello needed, nor These are some of the most com- Youth prefer to use memes to reply do you need a smart anecdote to tell mon memes that we use in our instead of emojis. Memes are even a joke now. All you need is to send a daily conversation. We even frame criticised at times though, as there meme and have them send a laugh- these templates as per our need. are countless memes that can be ing emoji back. And in this new They lighten up the conversation considered as ‘dark humour’ and world, this is as solid as a handwrit- and make it more fun and interest- can often be very offensive to cer- ten letter because it has value. It ing. There are tons of memes that tain audiences. may come across as shocking to all - The motivation behind why nu- old school romantics but many love ple who use social media, are well merous individuals of various ages communication messages also start awarewe find about relatable the meme every culture. day. Peo In can comprehend memes is that- and end with memes for Generation today’s world memes are one of the anybody can make one. So, no mat- Z. Some memes enter our culture in biggest things that work as a com- ter how old you are or wherever the form of a slang or knowledge, mon ground for youth as well as the you are in the world, memes will elderly, who come across it. continue to impact and touch your Some enter our mind as, something More so, memes are based on cur- life in either way you want it to be. such as the terms ‘bae’ or ‘selfie’. An Amity School of Communication Publication Learning ‘Art of living’ during pandemic

Anjali Singh tion and fear of infection. Mehak Kundu, a college student t started with a junta curfew said, “I was planning to join dance followed by lockdown and then classes but due to lack of time I was Iunlock—Covid 19 tested us and unable to. Due to the pandemic and how. Long isolation, an uncertain the resultant lockdowns, I was un- future, loss of income and even in der a lot of stress, so I decided to grave situations, permanent loss learn Bharatnatyam through online of loved ones due to the pandemic. classes and it helped me relax. One Coping mechanisms differed from must work focus on creative ven- people to people right from spend- tures as it rejuvenates the soul.” ing more online time to doing some- Like Mehak, several others also thing creative a la artistic ventures. took to various creative ventures There were creativity galore that and well…the world became their could be seen on online platforms oyster. Art has helped people cope right from Tik Tok videos, playing up with the pandemic helped each with colours, making paintings, other connect virtually. The im- writing, dancing, singing, photogra- phy, yoga, or learning a new type of en critical thinking skills, and im- through the global pandemic con- skill and even cooking. proving memory. It has been seen sideringportance theof art balance has been between magnified lives According to a study, spending that more than 65% of Indians and art which has made the inner just 45 minutes on our favourite art have started working on one or two world (our homes) less stressful helps in relieving stress, strength- kinds of art forms just due to isola- and more productive. Podcasts- Give your voice a new platform Sonia Singh There are various formats for podcasts: The audio concept isn’t something new for In- dians. Be it listening to cricket commentary, Solo Podcast | Host talks directly to the audience. You rely religious musings, or radio; it is deeply root- on yourself for engaging the audience. It can be intimidating ed in our culture. With the proliferation of for beginners. smartphones and affordable mobile internet, Co-Hosted Podcast | Two hosts talking to the audience podcasts are experiencing unprecedented au- from time to time. This format helps in sharing the burden dience growth. India is the world’s third largest podcast Interview Podcast | This format ensures fresh content, dif- listening market and as per a PwC report, the but requires good management between the hosts. number of listeners is going to rise from four - crore in 2018 to 17.61 crore in 2023. India’s music, radio and podcasts market were worth ferent perspectives and a quality audience if executed neat ly. Host requires to find trending topics, preparing interview Rs 5,753 crore in 2018 and could hit upwards Roundtable Podcast | Taking interview podcast format one questionnaire and guests who can contribute their opinions. of Rs 10,000 crore by 2023. step further, roundtable podcasts invite 2 or more guests to Moreover, podcasts are particularly popu- contribute on the topic. This category is very impactful for lar among younger audiences, with more than half of monthly listeners under the age of 35 Documentary Podcast | It brings in multiple voices, musical years. Listeners are turning to podcasts as they producing niche quality content. are subject-oriented, to the point, infotaining, elements, and actuality to add an extra layer of production short and like radio do not engage listener’s all and storytelling. It is also referred to as “BBC- style” podcast senses. Listeners are preferring it while driv- format. ing, cooking or doing some other chores. Ac- Fiction Podcast | This format is perfect for hosts who are cording to a 2019 report by Deloitte, globally storytellers. Creative audio dramas where the listener gets podcasts could be a USD 3.3 billion-plus busi- emersed in the story with well-placed sound effects attract a ness by 2025. lot of listeners. As it is evident that podcasters will take over a new set of listenership, it is important to be to succeed one needs to be creative, have dedication to adapt ready for this new opportunity to give your to Podcastingthe new, bring requires out the no storyteller big monetary and investmentjournalist within today, you. but voice a platform.