Journalism students handle a camera. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Berhampur, Jan. 3: The third-semester students of the post-graduate department of journalism and mass communication of Berhampur University have produced a documentary for the first time.

The documentary Berhampur University: Dream, Reality and Vision was inaugurated by Puri MP Pinaki Mishra at the 45th foundation day celebrations function held here yesterday.

“After the successful production of a two-minute shortfilm Use Me, which was based on the theme of garbage generation and its management, we encouraged the students in such endeavours. In October, Use Me was screened at the Tata Institute film festival in New Delhi,” said Jagan Mohan Mohapatra, a visiting guest lecturer and faculty member of audiovisual media in journalism and mass communication department, Berhampur University.

“The concept of Berhampur University: Dream, Reality and Vision was conceived by Sunil Kanta Behera, head of the department of journalism and mass communication and edited, directed and guided by me,” Mohapatra said.

“Berhampur University was established after a student’s agitation during 1961 and we have placed details about this university since the students strike till today,” he said.

“Most of the students are very talented and they need proper guidance. We are now emphasising more on practical training rather than on theory. Theoretical knowledge on subjects such as the Constitution of India, press law, communication theory, history of journalism and comparative journalism besides others though is highly essential practical experience needs no classroom,” said Mohapatra.

“We are deputing our students to cover many events which are being incorporated in The Bhanja Bihar Reporter,” he said.

“The department of journalism and mass communication has its own video camera, editing table and advanced computer set up. But we lack a studio and radio console for digital audio mixture of our own to train the students better and produce more documentaries,” said Mohapatra.

“It would also facilitate Bhanja Bani programme of the department which is now being aired through loudspeakers. However, three documentaries including the Paika Akhada of Narendrapur, the fishermen’s slum at Gopalpur and paediatric treatment at Berhampur are in the pipeline,” he said.

“We joined the post-graduate department of journalism and mass communication of Berhampur University to learn something that could help us in our profession and polish our skills. The production of documentary film gives us immense pleasure and self-satisfaction. We are now confident that we can now produce something more constructive,” said one of the students.

The students recently took part in a two-week long training course on radio and television production at Bhubaneswar organised by the Regional Staff Training Institute (RSTI) under Prasar Bharati.

The students were made acquainted with various aspects of television programme production.