JU's Journalism Department organises sensitization workshop
Feb 24, 2023
JAMMU: In its attempt towards building an inclusive society, the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Jammu, collaborated with the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India, to organize a one-day offline workshop on "Transgender: Representation and Reality," here today.
The workshop was attended by over 200 participants from Cluster University, IIMC, Central University, Department of Sociology, JU, Law School, JU along with the students of the host Department.
The inaugural session was graced by eminent dignitaries from the Judiciary, Media and the University. Chief guest of the event Dinesh Manhotra, Secretary General, Press Club of Jammu, said that it is a socially relevant topic and one that needs a lot of ground work. He congratulated the Department for taking such an initiative and said that the Press Club would always stand in support of such initiatives.
On this occasion, senior High Court Advocates Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed and Dinesh Chauhan briefed the participants on the "Provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act & Rules, 2019-2020" and said that such acts are a beginning point for long term social changes.
Advocate Dinesh Chauhan shared his experiences of working with the Transgenders in the field and highlighted their problems. He said that such sensitization events can go a long way in giving acceptability to this section of the community.
In his Welcome Address Prof Shyam Narayan Lal emphasized the commitment of the University to such causes. Prof Sucheta Pathania, Dean Faculty of Arts said that the Department is a new addition to the faculty of Arts and she is pleased to see it grow by leaps and bounds. She congratulated the organisers for taking such an initiative with such limited resources.
Sanjay, Consultant NISD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment apprised the gathering of the different initiatives taken by the Ministry for Transgenders. He also informed about the various provisions of collaborations with the Ministry in different areas. Dr Garima Gupta, Head, Dept of Journalism and Media Studies presented the Vote of Thanks. The session was ably conducted by Dr. Ravia Gupta.
The first panel was Chaired by the renowned Journalist Pradeep Dutta and Arnavi Sharma, Alice Chaudhary and Riya shared their life experiences as Transgenders.
Arnavi Sharma is a student of Performing Arts in IMFA, BA in English Hons and J&K's first trans-artist. She is the first person to be nominated by the election commission as representative for the third gender and first one to also receive the Maharaja Hari Singh lifetime achievement award.
Alice, who studied till class 10 specializing in sales and clothes shared that the support of family is very important in the life of a transgender but sadly they are disowned by their families.
Riya who works at BDO, Bari Brahmana, said, "I have been blessed with an acceptability of my Peers and I do wish to be born as a Transgender even in my Next Life."
They requested the authorities for separate facilities in various buildings as well as in Transport and a training of the doctors to ensure better Medical facilities for them.
Pradeep Dutta in his address as Chairperson said, "It is not third Gender but it is Super Gender that combines the strength of both the genders." He offered valuable insight into the struggle of various marginalized sections of the society and applauded the speakers for their courage in fighting for their rights and their place in society. The session was conducted by Bharti, Student, DJMS.
In the second panel on transgender representation, academic perspectives were shared as case studies by Associate Prof Dr. Hema Gandotra, Dept of Sociology, JU and Sr. Assistant Prof Dr. Archna Kumari from Central University of Jammu.
The speakers shared their experience of working in the field with the Transgenders and their issues and challenges.
The session was chaired by Prof Monika Sethi from the Dept of English, University of Jammu.
The Valedictory session was chaired by Prof Anil Saumitra, Director IIMC Jammu.
An essay writing contest on the theme of the event was also organized in which Sanchi and Danish from Cluster University and Aditi Kashyap from IIMC won the first, second and third prizes.
Prof Anil Saumitra, Regional Head, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Jammu distributed certificates to all the winners.
Kumerjit read the report on the proceedings of the Day and the participants shared their feedback.
The NGO partners of the event Climate Front Jammu and The Queers from Jammu were represented by Kartik and Lakshana Gupta who were felicitated in the event.
The department of Journalism and Media Studies, JU, is actively committed to provide practical exposure to the students by regularly organizing such interactive sessions from academia and industry experts. This will help the media students to gain opportunities both locally and nationally.
The workshop was attended by eminent academicians, journalists and distinguished members of the civil society.
