One Month Videogrphy Course for the diploma in Pastoral Communications

Students are guided by Fr. Biju for video shooting

Students learning editing softwares

As part of the diploma in Pastoral Communications, a month Videography Course was organized for the students. Eighteen students participated this full one month course. It included basic introduction to video technology, scripting for video production, film studies and spirituality of Cinema and video editing. 
The students benefited a lot from this course and have become efficient in video productions like making short films, video albums and documentaries. It culminated with five days intensive workshop on storytelling conducted by Mr. Edward T Mc Dougal, an expert in Hollywood industry. 

Fr. Sonu Vasuniya

New age of social Networking

Facebook

Facebook allows users to continuously stay in touch with friends, relatives and other acquaintances wherever they are in the world, as long as there is access to the Internet.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp Messenger is aproprietary, cross-platform instant messaging subscription service for smartphones.

WeChat

WeChat provides multimedia communication with text messaging, hold-to-talk voice messaging, broadcast (one-tomany) messaging, photo/video sharing, location sharing, and contact information exchange.

Skype

Skype is a freemium voice-over- IP service and instant messaging client, currently developed by the Microsoft Skype Division.

Twitter

Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables users to send and read "tweets", which are text messages limited to 140 characters.

Youtube

YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005 and owned by Google since late 2006, on which users can upload, view and share videos.

Instagram

Instagram is an online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr.

tumbler

Tumbler is an address of any range of content or link or a set of ranges or links. They were used in the Xanadu FEBE (Front End - Back End) protocol in a manner similar to the use of URIs between web browsers and servers.

Flicker

Flickr is an image hosting and video hosting website, and web services the service is widely used by photo researchers and by bloggers to host images that they embed in blogs and social media.

Tweetbot 3

With this app, users can receive native Push Notifications, activate Mute filters to block out certain hashtags, users, and keywords.

Vine

This video sharing app allows users to make mini (micro, even) movies and share them to a feed very similar to Twitter’s design.

Hangouts

Hangouts, for example, lets you easily have group video chats with others and it works better than most group video chat services.

Osfoora 2

This app offers background refresh, support for additional accounts, and lots of features native to Twitter’s service.

BBM

The Blackberry M e s s e n g e r app connects iOS with Blackberry users so they can communicate across devices without having to worry about text message overages.

Yonder

This app is designed to bring the outdoorsy types together. You can upload photos and videos to share your activities with others.

Flow for Instagram

It has an elegant design, offers plenty of interactive social features that is native to Instagram, and gives your photo feed a whole new look.

Retro

With it, you can access multiple accounts, change the view for quick or detailed viewing, download photos, and access many of Instagram’s native feature.

Loop – social polling

After you ask your question and get responses, you can see the results on a simple Infograph that shows you statistics based on gender or age group.

FastFeed for tumbler

This app makes viewing your Tumblrfeed smooth, convenient, andvery attractive. Navigate between accounts using multi-tab views.

Albert Lakra

CHURCH IN MYANMAR

The Church’s ministry and mission are to communicate the Good News of Salvation and God’s love to all his creatures. In creating human beings in His image and likeness God gave them the ability to create communicative relations with each other (Gen 1:26). The Catholic Church in Myanmar consisting of the Bishops, Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful form a family united in faith and witness in communion with the Universal Catholic Church under the leadership of the Pope. 
The Catholic Church in Myanmar is a communion of three Metropolitans. They are Yangon Metropolitan, Mandalay Metropolitan and Taunggyi Metropolitan. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of in Myanmar (CBCM) comprises of sixteen dioceses. St.Mary’s Cathedral The new technologies have enabled people to relate and communicate with each other even when separated by long distances, thus building a world-wide-web. Media are ‘Gifts of God’ to humanity. They are in “accordance with his design to unite people in fellowship” and help them “to cooperate with his plan for their salvation” and work for the “unity and advancement of all peoples” (Communio et Progressio, No.2) By means of the powerful medium of the internet, the websites of the CBCM, its various dioceses, commissions and other centers, shall strive to fulfill and uphold the principles and values of Christian communication in the mission of the Church. 

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM) affirms the importance of Social Communications in the life and mission of the Church as taught by the magisterium of the Church. So we encourage all the faithful to remember that these means of Communication will help us to understand that the Church's teaching is not only a hindrance to the effective communication of the Catholic faith but an effective manifestation of the vitality of the faith because God gives to such instruments for advancing her mission in the world and, at the same time, her caution, lest instruments, which have potential for so much good, actually do harm to the mission through their inappropriate or misguided use.
Fr. Thomas

Bangladesh-Catholic Church in Communications

Brief Introduction: Bangladesh is situated in the North-Eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, bordered in the west, north and east by India,in the southeast by Myanmar and in the south by the Bay of Bengal. The area of the country is 14, 77,570 square kilometres (56,779 squaremiles). The country is covered with a network of rivers and canals forming a maze of interconnecting channels. The capital and the largest city of Bangladesh is Dhaka.With a unique communal harmony, Bangladesh has a population of about 162.51million. Over 98% of the people speak Bangla or Bengali. English, however, is also widely spoken. It is a Muslim majority country, about 90% of Bangladeshis are Muslim. Hinduism is practiced by about 8% of the population. There are significant number of Buddhists and Christians in Bangladesh. Among the Christians Catholics are majority. Presently the Catholic population is about 3, 43, 104, in 7 dioceses have more than 94 Parish Churches, 356 Priests, 101 Brothers, 1,061 Nuns and many educational, healthcare and welfare institutions and organizations.
     There are 12 Episcopal Commissions of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB) and one of them is Episcopal Commission for Social Communications (EC - SC) formed in 1974, only two years after the CBCB was founded. Thus it is evident that Church in Bangladesh has given importance on Social Communication. As it is stated in Aetatis Novae “Social Communications  have a role to play in every aspect of the Church’s Mission (AN 17). Church in Bangladesh could realize that one of the missions of the Church is communication, therefore CBCB established this commission very beginning. Aims and Objective of this Commission are: (a) To present and promote the Good News of Christ and Churches social teachings through the social communications media; (b) To stimulate, develop and awaken the spiritual, social, civic, and economic consciousness and conditions of common man, esp. the Christians (Catholics) through these media, and (c) To inspire and train Church personnel to use Social Communications Media. As a member of World SIGNIS to cooperate directly. There is a Christian Communication Centre in Dhaka. Affiliated sections of this center are: (a) Protibeshi’ (The National Catholic Weekly) (b) Protibeshi Prokashani (Religious books Publication Section) (c) Jerry Printing Press (Multi-purpose Printing Section) (d) Banideepti (Audio-visual and cultural sections) (e) Radio Veritas Asia, Bengali Service (Short Wave Radio) (f) Jyoti Communications (Information Desk). Outside of Dhaka there are social communications activities in other Diocese too.
     There are representatives from all seven Dioceses in the EC for Social Communication. There are social communication commissions and programmes in all the Dioceses. Besides the Christian Communication Center in Dhaka, the pastoral centers in different Dioceses work as communication centers. The Khristajyoti Communication Centre in Rajshahi Diocese is well equipped including a sound studio and production facilities. Programmes and activities are conducting by Social Communications Commission (EC– SC) and Communication Centres in Parish, Diocese and National levels: (a) The long cherished Website for Christian Communication Centre `www.thecccbd.org’ has become a reality. Weekly Pratibeshi and radio Veritas Asia Bengali Program can be heard and read now on online. It was really an unavoidable need of the time. The Catholic Directory and the Bible are also available now in this website. (b) World Communication Day observed at the parish and diocesan level (c) News writers’ seminar and journalism trainings (d) Christmas and Easter programmes in Radio and TV channels (e) Different publications including books, journals, newsletters, Calendar, Catholic ORDO and Ponjika are published in time. (f) Several CD for liturgical hymns and documentaries are produced from our sound studios. (g) Awareness of communication media workshop training for the youth and teachers (h) Communication seminar for the seminarians, young priests and nuns. Most Rev. Gervas Rozario, Bishop of Rajshahi, is the Chairman and Fr. Joyanto S. Gomes is Secretary of the Commission. Bishop Gervas is very enthusiastic and energetic about social communications and media. He is a man of good communication, so he gives much importance to communication. Commission of Social Communication has been conducting many education and training seminars and awareness programs on social communication.

Sr. Edlin

Morality of Media

Human life has two folds, life and death. Similarly the process of communication, we can find two effects good and bad. We cannot avoid moral reflection in our daily lives. Our life is full of choices and it demands some reflection on right and wrong. Culture proposes moral practices and norms usually in unreflective form, which shapes our moral reflection. In the society moral choices influence more than the rule. Thus, in the use of media moral values affect a lot.

NEWS PAPER: News paper gives message to the people about daily events, politics, business, games, advertisements etc. It is good that newspaper gives current events and lot of information about future events. But so often we do not find the real news, but only the events.

B R O A D C A S T I N G: Broadcasting is the act of transmitting speech, visual images, etc by radio or television. Radio and television broadcast popular culture. These programmes are produced on the different topics. Some of them are good for the society and some have bad effect for the society. In the last 50 years the media influence has grown rapidly with the advance of technology. Products were introduced with the intention of informing, educating and enertaining. Television show programmes the character who commits the crime and no punishment. This allows children to learn that it is alright to commit a crime because nothing will be done.Television has less influence on an adult’s mind, than on children, and on their brain’s development. Most important of all, children catch the idea of violence in childhood, later it leads to crimes, murders, etc. Thus we can see negative inpact on the society.

 
SOCIAL MEDIA: Social media helps us to easily access any material, people. We find in internet not only good things but also bad things e.g. pornography. Today children and youth are busy on the watching videos, playing games, chatting in face book etc. The social media provides more of pornography and youth more interested on these things. As psychologist Jonathan said says, “Just as our tongues guide us to good foods and away from bad foods, our minds guide us to good people, away from bad people.” We must be also led by the values of life as our tongues guide us to good foods. We human beings have brain to think, what is right and wrong. Therefore every one must make serious effort to choose good, and avoid bad. In the same way, we have to do in the use of media. Media will not think for us what is good and what is bad. Therefore, let us make combine effort about the use media, have positive attitude about the media, and use maximum to bring values in humanity.

Fr. Victor Tigga

Inter Mirifica - Changing World of Communication

Inter Mirifica the Vatican II Decree on the means of Social Communication, offer important insights and instruction on the proper use of the “means of social communication,” including the press, movies, radio, and television. The principles of the document can easily extend to the Internet, smart phone applications, and other modern channels of communication. Much has changed in the world of social communications since the promulgation 50 years ago of Inter Mirifica (The Means of Social Communication), the Second Vatican Council’s decree that addressed the concerns and problems associated with the media. But the document has been effective, and the topics it discusses have been further developed in other Vatican writings over the last five decades, as media has rapidly advanced.

“Communication has, always been and will continue to be central to the life of the Church, but sometimes it’s so central and part of what we do that we take it for granted,” said Msgr. Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. “What Inter Mirifica did was to start an effort to give more explicit attention to the importance of communication and invite people not just to communicate spontaneously, but to reflect on what they were doing.” Promulgated on Dec. 4, 1963, the decree urges the Church “without delay and with the greatest effort” to make effective use of the media in various apostolic endeavours. It argues that it is within the Church’s birthright to use the means of social communication in the pursuit of preaching the Gospel of salvation. It stresses the need for morality in media, that social communication be correct, honest and accurate. And it underlines the responsibility of the individual to be watchful of their own well-being, ensuring that the media is not causing themselves “spiritual harm.” Inter Mirifica further encourages the creation of a “truly Catholic press,” with the clear purpose of “forming, supporting and advancing public opinion” in accordance with the natural law and Catholic teachings. It also devotes considerable space to underlining the need for the Church to assist Catholic media in terms of financial, technical and episcopal support.

Pontifical Council Documents

1959 - Statuto Filmoteca vaticana

1971 - Communio et progressio pastoral Instruction on means of SC

1973 - An appeal to all contemplative religious

1989 - Pornography and violence in the communications Media A pastoral Response

1989 - Criteria for Ecumenical and Interreligious cooperation in communications

1992 - Aetatis novae A Revolution in Human communications

1995 - 100 years of cinema

1997 - Ethics in Advertising

2000 - Ethics in communication

2002 - Ethics in Internet

2002 - The Church and Internet

The Council suggested the establishment of a World Communications Day, a day to pray and reflect about the future and the present problems with media. It was recommended that meetings involving media professionals be instituted to explore ways to press for progress in media. Thus, as was the case with ancient works of art, the name of the Lord may be glorified by these new discoveries in accordance with those words of the Apostle: “Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, and the same forever.”

Sr. Aruna SABS

ENVISIONING MEDIA 2025

A two day National Seminar “ENVISIONING MEDIA 2025” was held at Don Bosco, Okhla, New Delhi on the 21st and 22nd February 2014. It was jointly organised by the CBCI Office for Social Communications and the Society of St. Paul. Mr. Cyril John, Chairman, Asia-Oceania Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services led the prayer. Fr. Michael Raj, SSP, Provincial Superior, welcomed the participants to the national capital and said that their presence at the seminar was a reaffirmation of their commitment to use the power of the media to proclaim the Gospel and its values to the men and women of today. He quoted the Holy Father’s message for the 48th World Communication Day saying “A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give but also to receive. Media can help us great -l y in this, especially nowadays,when the networks of human communication have made unprecedented advances. The internet, in particular, offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity. This is something good, a gift from God.”

The Inaugural address was delivered by Most Rev. Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi. In his keynote address Mons. Paul Tighe, Secretary Pontifical Council for Social Communications, Vatican City, Rome spoke on ‘Inter Mirifica’ The sessions that followed saw eminent persons from the Social & Media World, like Bishop Chacko Thottumarickal, Chair person, FABC office for Social Communication, Dr. Jeffrey Mickler, SSP, Dr. George Plathottam, SDB – Secretary, CBCI Office for Social Communication, Mons Paul Tighe, and Fr Raymond Ambroise, Secretary, FABC-OSC, addressing the audience on the theme Church and Main Stream Media: challenges and possibilities.The speakers were John Dayal, Veteran journalist, Esther Kar, Jt.Secretary, National Commission for Minorities and Anna MM Vetticad, journalist.The session concluded with the Valedictory Address by Justice Kurien Joseph, Judge of the Supreme Court of India. In the evening Archbishop Salvatore Pennachio, Apostolic Nuncio to India, presided over the Holy Eucharist to mark the Centenary Celebrations of the Pauline Family. On the 22nd of February 2014, Archbishop Rev. Thomas Menamparampil, SDB spoke on “Communications Media for Community Building” and Fr. Jeffrey

Mickler, SSP spoke on “Creative initiatives in Communication Media for Evangelization”. The participants later left for Teen Murthi Bhawan for the last session of the day.
The theme for the session was India 2025 – Democracy & Media. The Chief Guest was Most Rev Albert D’Souza Arch Bishop of Agra and SecretaryGeneral,CBCI. The Chairperson for the session was Mr. Naveen Chawla, Former Election Commissioner of India. After the invocation, led by Fr. Arokiaswamy SSP, the welcome address was delivered by Fr. George Plathottam SDB, Secretary CBCI-OSC & Director, NISCORT. After various presentations and a few comments the vote of thanks was proposed by Rev. Fr. Michael Raj SSP. The seminar thus came to a fitting conclusion. It is our sincere hope that this seminar creates in us and makes us all aware of the need and urgency of networking and collaborating in using media at the service of the Gospel for the good of all humanity. 

Sr. Victoria

Inauguration of the Diploma course in Pastoral Communication

The ‘Diploma in Pastoral Communication Course’ was inaugurated on 3rd February 2014 at NISCORT. Before the Holy Eucharist Fr. George Plathottam, Director, NISCORT introduced Monsignor Romanus Secretary to Apostolic Nuncio Pina-ccio to the students and expressed his words of welcome. Then the Holy Eucharist was preceded with the lighting of the Lamp invoking God’s blessings. The meaningful celebration of Holy Mass added to the significant of the historical event at NISCORT .Rev. Monsignor Romanus in his sermon spoke of the importance and the power of Social Communication in our Mission of Evangelization. He exhorted the students to become effective Communicators of the  Good News.

Deacons Trained in Pastoral Communication

New Delhi (CBCI News): Today's world largely controlled by social communication media requires communication skills. To address this need, a two-week Pastoral Communication course was held at the National Institute for Social Communications Research and Training (NISCORT) for fifteen deacons,  September 9-12.

The programme was led by NISCORT director Fr. George Plathottam and assisted by Frs. Devasia, John D' Cunha, Jackson, Ramesh, Shyju,  the fifteen participants from four dioceses  took part in the training in the picturesque precincts of NISCORT situated at Vaishali in Ghaziabad district  in Delhi's National Capital Region.

The deacons were taught how to disseminate information in today's digitized world - often a weak point among the church leaders and future priests.

The participants learnt that helping their flock live life in all its fullness demands mastery over means of communication, especially the media, computer, internet and social networking sites.

Classes were held on modern means of communication, the Church and new media and media language. From how to write to managing a controversy to writing letters to the editor to writing a news story to organizing a press conferences to conducting interviews- the course had it all.

Skills on basic communication , proclaiming the Word of God and preaching an effective homily, practical tips on public speaking and audio and video recording, communication through films, aspects of film making, analyzing, editing of media text and on how to be deft with the camera were some of the topics covered during the course.  After they were taught skills for layout, design and writing, the participants had to produce parish newsletters.

The deacons also learnt about the internet, including net banking and handling social networking sites like Facebook.   The programme also included a visit to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India's headquarters at Gole Dakkhanna which houses most of the important offices. The participants got first-hand knowledge of the working of these offices, crucial in their pastoral ministry.

The deacons, who were provided certificates at the completion of the course, termed it as an enriching experience and wanted that more such courses be held.

Workshop at NISCORT Underlines Importance of Public Relations for Effective Pastoral Ministry

New Delhi : Realizing the importance of good Public Relations, 29 priests and Religious holding responsibility for Public Relations in their respective dioceses and religious congregations came together at NISCORT to attend a 3-day workshop on Public Relations to hone their skills in this vital area. The three-day workshop, September 24-26, was organized by NISCORT in collaboration with the CBCI Office for Public Relations, and was led by   Fr George Plathottam, Director NISCORT.

In this digital era, sharpening of communication skills is vital, especially in the realm of evangelization, Fr Plathottam said.  Modes of communication are increasing by the day, and for effective public relations one has to keep pace with the modern trends including social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter etc,

The participants were taught the basics of writing a news story and how to make it newsworthy and the importance of utilizing social media in their ministry.   

Public Relations Officer of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) Fr. Dominic D Abreo, CBCI Deputy Secretary General Fr  Joseph Chinnayan,   Spokesperson, Delhi Archdiocese, Fr Dominic Emmanuel,   along with senior journalists like John Dayal,  Jacob Kani,  Augustine Veliath,  Rita Joseph shared their insights and expertise during the three-day workshop, September 24-26. 

The participants were taught how to conduct interviews and write press releases. Each of the participants were asked to select one of the 32 topics provided. They then prepared 10 questions pertaining to the selected topic and quizzed their partners and vice versa.  The interviews were video recorded and analysed later. The participants were taught how to select relevant questions and shoot them at the interviewee. They were taught the importance of body language, poise and handling of the mike etc while conducting interview for electronic media.  

The Piece de Resistance of the workshop was the press conference staged by the participants with the help of the staff and students of NISCORT. It was analyzed and reviewed to learn more about how to handle the press and media persons in a proactive way even during a crisis.   

The principals and PROs present, who have to regularly face the press, gladly assimilated the tips provided. Fr Titus D'Costa, a school principal in Ahmedabad, summed up the three-day workshop saying the programme was quite engrossing, and that they were glad to have participated in it. He wished every bishop and religious superior would take programmes like this seriously and train their personnel in communications and public relations. “In a year I have to handle at least two major crisis situations, and the workshop has helped me a lot to deal with such issues, he said. 

Pastoral Students end the course to Begin Communicating

CPC Pariticipants - 2012

The Pastoral Communication Course organized from January 23rd. 2012 to March 30th. 2012 had fourteen participants: priests, religious sisters and laymen from different dioceses, congregations and regions of India. The objective of the course was to enable the participants not only to pick up basic communication skills but also the vision of Pastoral Communications, in order to become media savvy and more creative and effective Church Communicators.

With some assistance from visiting staff, almost all the resident staff of NISCORT helped in conducting the entire seventy-day programme. Fr. Jacob Kani, Editor of ‘Indian Currents’ initiated the students into reporting and the Print media..Fr. Jackson taught the group how to use Coral Draw for their designing and layout. The budding journalists efforts resulted in the publication of their ‘Symphony’ newsletter. Fr. Edwin Vas, SVD led the group into audio recording and they had plenty of hands-on experience in the studios producing four audio productions. Fr. Dejus introduced the participants to the finer points of photography and later into video production, culminating in three video productions on social and religious themes.

Fr. Jude and Fr. Devassy took sessions explaining the ways in which the Church has communicated its faith message in traditional as well as modern media. They dealt with Church documents on communication that emphasize the importance the Church gives to media in the life of the Church. Fr. Babu Joseph, CBCI Spokesperson stressed the importance of good Public Relations and how to organize Press Conferences. Knowing how films impact and form the values of popular audiences, Fr. Dominic D’Abreo introduced the group into film reviewing, so that they could analyse how inherent values and underlying messages are subtly communicated.

CPC Students Confered Diploma on Mar. 30th 2012

“You will find sparkle in the eyes of the audience when you effectively communicate”, advised Dr. Jude Botelho, the director of NISCORT in his address to the students at the end of the Course on Pastoral Communication (CPC) here at NISCORT. His message was, “It is not the end but the beginning of communication”.

The thirteen CPC students who received the graduation certificates were given a crash course on modules like-basics of journalistic reporting and editing, computer applications, graphic designing, photography, the use of Internet, social networking and new media, film appreciation, audio and video recording and editing and public relations- all in two-and-a-half months time.

Commenting on McLuhan’s famous saying- ‘Medium is the Message’, the Chief Guest, Rt. Rev. Dr. Chacko Thottumanickal who is also the Chairman of NISCORT and of the CBCI Commission for Social Communications challenged, “Let your medium be the ‘massage’ for the audience”. He clarified the word ‘massage’ saying that the communication must be ‘personal’ and ‘caring’ as Jesus, the Master Communicator has shown.

The highlights of the day were the presentations of the productions by the group in three formats: print, audio and video. If the newsletter- ‘Symphony’ had the touch of print journalism, the four stories in audio showcased the professional elements of sound engineering. The three video documentaries: hosanna, life is worth living and colours of the rainbow were indeed well scripted, recorded and edited. The staff and students of NISCORT, the neighbours and invited guests gave a loud applause of appreciation.

Fr. George, speaking on behalf of the CPC students through an anecdote expressed, “A good communicator leads one into an ecstasy.” And Sr. Jane in the vote of thanks summed up the sentiments of the group- “we so much enjoyed our stay and learning that we hardly can believe that it is time to go”.

There were a few parting messages by the visiting faculty to their students. Fr. Jacob Kani, the editor of the Indian Currents probed, “Now as your course is over, the question is- What Next?” He also suggested- “If you have passion you can do it”. And Fr. Babu Joseph, the spokesperson for the CBCI while emphasizing the need for effective public relations proposed, “Make your activity- whether communication, education, health service whatever- public friendly”.

Unlike the previous years, the CPC this year was unique, colourful and dynamic. This was because apart from the priest and nuns, there were four lay leaders too. Bishop Chacko called upon the students to ‘spread a good word about NISCORT’ and Fr. Babu wished that the institute one day becomes ‘a jewel in the crown of CBCI’ as St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore is. That is what communication is all about- spreading the Good News and making a difference. NISCORT stands committed to this mission.

Niscort braces itself for ‘Transition’

Vaishali: As the nature prepared to welcome the spring after the dark and cold winter, the documentation group headed by Mathew presented-‘The Transition’ at Niscort here today. Presenting the documentation in three formats- the print, audio and video, the leader explained, “The transition to spring season is a symbol of hope, rebirth, renewal and regrowth.” He applied the same meaning to the learning process and its effects in the lives of students at the institute.

Apart from the regular postgraduate students of Print, Broadcast and Audio Visual streams, there were thirteen more members of the Pastoral Communication Course in the audience. The presentation was followed by an evaluation session- which is considered as the most important teaching and learning process at Niscort. Fr. Devassy, the Course Coordinator led the evaluation.

“I liked the colourful presentation of the magazine,” expressed Thomas, an MJ student. While Anand, a second year MJ student appreciated the variety of subjects covered, Ashok Dighal of second year MJ pointed out some flaws which could have been avoided. There was a thunderous applause to Biren and his print team for the hard work put in to make the magazine relevant.

The radio team headed by Dominic introduced the topic ‘the Heartbeat’, based on the Valentine’s Day. It was basically a phone-in programme with songs and chats interluding. The melodious and meaningful love songs put the audience in a romantic mood. The script, the sound effects, the selection of songs, etc. were well appreciated.

Finally the video had a blend of everything: there was an element of fiction, drama, documentation, interviews and information. Ramesh, the leader of the video group proudly expressed, ‘satisfaction at the team work’ and felt ‘there was room for improvement but that they have learnt from the mistakes’. Well, the exercise of documentation indeed is meant for that. Fr. Jackson commended the ‘special effects’ used in the video and Fr. Dejus, the Assistant Director appreciated the concept of novel way of presentation. Both of them pointed out aspects for the improvement of the presentations.

The theme was clear enough- ‘life is never static... ever changing and evolving...are you ready for a change for better?’

Thomas D’Silva

Documentation - Jan & Feb 2012

The theme of the newsletter for the month of February is TRANSITION. Transition simply means “the process or a period of changing from one condition to another”, as defined by the oxford advance learner’s dictionary. This word is used in different fields for different connotations. In the field of literature it is a general aspects of writing style that signal changes in a story with the use of Transition words, such as "however" and other conjunctions. As a student of media and film it would rather refer to a method of juxtaposing two scenes, including: Wipe, a type of film transition where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape and Dissolve, a gradual transition from one image to another. For music lovers this would mean the middle passage of a piece of music.

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Alien Visits NISCORT - Documentation

Vaishali (Ghaziabad), Oct. 14: The students’ team led by Selva Malakia presented ‘Udaan’, documenting the events and activities of the past one month at Niscort, on the 14^th of October, 2011. The print, radio and video formats of the documentation brought out the theme effectively.

However, the highlight of the presentation was the video depicting the visit of an alien to Niscort, who is introduced to various departments and persons at the institute. It was indeed a new concept of presenting the documentary intermixing with fictional elements. The editing and after-effects done by Selva, the make-up and acting of Jose as alien and the excellent video team-effort and co-ordination led by Beena Varghese were well appreciated by the audience.

The print team led by Reena Behera and the audio team led by Shaiju did a commendable job too. The radio drama ‘Dream’ was specially congratulated for apt sound-effects and wonderful voice over by the characters in the play.

While the staff and students appreciated the positives in the documentation, some deficiencies were pointed out and suggestions were proposed. “Link what’s happening at Niscort to bigger reality outside”, instructed Dr. Jude Botelho, the director. He further pointed out the purpose of our effort should be to ‘give a good and inspiring message’. Fr. Dejus, the system analyst giving critical analysis, felt that the video concept was like, ‘moving out of the box’. Giving concluding remarks, Fr. Jackson Louis advised the students that it is not enough to record but they also must know how to do the ‘mixing and mastering’ of the sound-effects.

Fr. Thomas D'Silva, MJ

Msgr. Paul Tighe's Visit to NISCORT

Msgr. Paul Tighe at NISCORT

A Transcription of the talk given by Msgr. Paul Tighe at NISCORT on the 1st of October, 2011


You probably have seen documents and heard people talking of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. But sometimes it is hard to know what it is and what we are supposed to do. I always begin with saying what we are not. We are not the Vatican's Press Office. As you know there is a Vatican Press Office headed by Fr. Lombardi, which does the main deal with the media, the answering of questions, the preparation of information, and the back and forth in preparations like the Pope's visit to Germany, working with the media, so media relations, public relations… handled by the press office… not by us. We are not either a media organization. In the Vatican there is the Newspaper, theres a radio, television station and increasingly an internet presence. But we are not responsible for the operations of that.

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