SIR in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh: Officials address the Public Issues

Report by a first-time voter

Aishwarya Siingh

BAJMC Sem 2

Source: mint

(The author visited the SIR booth at Gandhinagar Kukra, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh,  in November 2025)

Read on to know the challenges the officials face in the process

·      VENUE: SIR BOOTH, Gandhinagar Kukra, Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, November 25, 2025

During the Special Intensive Revision, the author got the opportunity to visit the SIR Booth and speak to the government representatives present there and involved in the process of SIR.

Siingh spoke to,

Prashant Kaushik: Supervisor

Being the supervisor of the SIR booth, what are the main problems which you are facing almost every day and what are the hurdles or inefficiencies of the administration in the process?

"The challenges I am facing as a BLO (Booth Level Officer) are that people have been given very little time to conduct this, and completing it by December 4th is nearly impossible. The government has not promoted the SIR properly. No specific bulletin has been issued, so there is a lot of confusion among the people, and they don't understand how to go about doing this. There is a great deal of pressure on every single BLO; going to people's homes and asking them to do this—people are not responding properly. Not everyone is aware or informed enough to carry this out.

There is a lot of confusion in people's minds regarding the SIR; they do not know what this thing is. There is a heavy dependency on BLOs because people who are scared want to sit with the BLO and write every single line by asking them. Even educated people, who actually know stuff, are doing the work in this same manner. Additionally, some people are very reluctant regarding this process and are not taking the Voter ID seriously. They have an attitude of, 'if it happens, it happens; if it doesn't, it doesn't'.

And those who feel that they will not be able to prove that matter properly, or that they do not have proper documentation as such, are trying to avoid this. It's not that they are wrong; it's just that they are worried about whether their form will be submitted properly, whether it will be possible or not, and whether their documentation will be accepted or not. Out of this fear, they are not engaging with this process correctly. Even when going house-to-house to conduct the survey, people are slamming doors in their faces and behaving rudely. There is pressure on the BLOs to conduct a very high number of surveys in a very short amount of time, which is almost impossible.

And the biggest query I have encountered as a BLO among the people is this: people feel that if they cannot properly prove that they fall under the Election Commission and that their name is on the list, they will be sent away from here—they will be sent to Bangladesh or Pakistan.

There have been issues due to the little to no use of technology right from the district level. The mechanisms are faltering, as each BLO is being assigned 1,100 to 1,200 forms that are supposed to be filled online. However, the system glitches frequently, and the average time to fill a form is around 12 minutes. The filtration process could have been conducted much more efficiently if the 2003 voter list, which was also recorded in the Vidhan Sabha, had been used. If during the ongoing filtration, additional categories such as father's name, mother's name, and date of birth had been incorporated into each column, the process would have become significantly easier. Following this system, nearly 40% of the voters could have been filtered out, leaving only about 16% pending. Moreover, the selection of BLOs was not very prudent. Many BLOs are elderly and face difficulties with technology, which in turn is slowing down the entire process."

Ajay Kumar: Record Officer / Patwari

What are the common challenges you are facing in this process of SIR?

"In the old booths, there were only two to three booths, so it was easier for people to find their names in the list. For example, in the Kakra region, there were 10 booths earlier, and now there are 13. So, among 13,000 people or 10,000 people, it is becoming difficult for individuals to find their names. People are facing the most trouble regarding this specific issue; this is the primary difficulty they are encountering. There are many women and other people who are illiterate and have no idea what is happening; they simply don't understand the process. Because of this, a door-to-door campaign is being conducted in the villages. While it is easy to perform verifications in well-planned colonies where houses are numbered (like House No. 1, 2, 3, 4), it is becoming extremely difficult to carry out this work in unplanned colonies."

Q. There is a common fear that what will happen if people are not able to prove their name in the list, not to mention people are scared they might lose their citizenship?

"This is Phase 1 currently. If you cannot prove your status in Phase 1, your phone number and address are being recorded. You will then be given another opportunity in Phase 2 to establish your citizenship. During that second phase, specific documents will be requested to prove you belong here. Your citizenship would only be subject to cancellation if you fail to provide those documents—at least, that is what the government is currently planning."

Archana Singh: BLO

What was the role of a BLO in the SIR? And what all work was there? And what was the SIR?

"In this SIR process, the BLO is the only official who has direct contact with the voter. Or you could say, only the BLO remains in direct contact with the voter. The responsibility for getting the voter to fill out the form was given to the BLO. The responsibility of collecting the forms from the voters and putting them online was also with the BLO. This means the BLO is the smallest unit of this entire process. In the SIR process, the BLO was given 'Ganna Prapatras' (enumeration forms). The responsibility to deliver these to the voters, collect the completed forms, and upload them online was given to the BLO. All of these responsibilities rested solely with the BLO. The responsibility of delivering notices and collecting documents from voters whose names are not in the 2003 voter list—meaning 'no mapping' voters—has also been given to the BLO.

In the SIR process, the Election Commission of India checks the eligibility of citizens. The aim is to ensure that no foreign or invalid voter is enrolled in the voter list. In a way, this is a screening process. Through this process, voters who have left one place for another, deceased voters, and those enrolled in more than one location are screened out. This results in the preparation of a clean voter list. At the same time, new voters who are 18+ can also enroll themselves in the voter list, leading to the creation of a new, updated list."

What were the challenges you faced as a BLO during the process of SIR?

"The time limit was very short and the workload was very high. Voters were also very scattered, and house numbers were not clear. There were voters who had come and settled from outside, due to which they were very confused about providing their 2003 list—regarding which place they had voted in 2003 and which voter list their name was on. Many voters were very confused and quite scared even when their names were found in the 2003 list. Voters from the same family were on the lists of three different BLOs. Along with this, those voters with double enrollments verified their names in one place. However, the BLO from the other location kept searching for them because the voter was now unconcerned since they had verified their name. But the BLO could not find the voter, which caused them stress.

Along with this, a cause of stress for the BLO was that they were assigned 20 hours of work daily. Besides this, the BLO's own family responsibilities were suffering. Their families were being disturbed, which was having a very negative impact on their mental and physical health. Many people were being rude and behaving improperly toward the BLOs. When BLOs had to conduct door-to-door surveys, many neighbors and other people would slam the door in their faces, not open the door at all, ignore them, or tell them to leave in a disrespectful manner. There were no properly sanitized restrooms for the BLOs. There were no proper arrangements for food and water. The booth was not a comfortable environment for the BLOs to work in.

Many educated people—individuals who are well-educated, university professors, prominent teachers, and businessmen—were not willing to write even a comma or a full stop in the form without the BLO's attention. Because the forms had to be filled both online and offline, the average time to complete just one form was 12 to 15 minutes. With an average BLO having to fill between 1,200 and 1,500 forms, the time required for each individual form was becoming excessive. There were many elderly BLOs who were quite advanced in age or were not very technologically savvy. Additionally, the BLOs were not given any proper training on how to carry out the SIR process. Everything was expected to be done in a very short amount of time, which created a lot of chaos."

Bharti Malik: BLO

As a BLO, according to you, what are the common problems the general public is facing?

"To prove your voter status, you need to show the name of either your mother, father, grandfather, or grandmother in the 2003 electoral list. Providing the name of any one of these four individuals will suffice.

Voter lists aren't just about adding new people; they also involve removal. For example, if a woman gets married, her name is removed from her original location and added to the voter list where she now resides. Similarly, many people who have passed away still have their names on the active voter list. This entire process is essentially a 'filtration' of the voter list to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

 

Vidyang Dehi!

Creatives 

by 

 B.A Sem 2

Nilanjana Chattoraj

Tanisha Banerjee

PC: Teerthankar Basak

When Voters' Data Meet Reality! - On the Ground Impact of SIR 2026 in West Bengal

An opinion piece by a young voter

Souvik Mukherjee 

MAJMC Sem 4

Revised Schedule of SIR

Source: From the Official handle of Chief Electoral Office, West Bengal ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in

 

In West Bengal, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026, which began as an administrative activity, has now become an experience that many thousands of voters have had to live with.

Several districts of West Bengal have experienced significant amounts of notices, hearings, document verification, and doubt as it relates to current voter registration versus older election data, especially regarding the 2002 Voter List. The issuance of an unprecedented number of notices sent to voters, many of which have been categorized as logical discrepancies, ASD (Absentee, Shifted and Dead) unmapped situation, etc. has been one of the most visible impacts at the ground level of SIR.

For many long-term voters, this has been the first time they received notification that their eligibility was being challenged and questioned after participating in more than one election cycle. Often, voters are made to attend verification hearings at block/subdivision offices as part of their appeal process. The challenges this has created for rural communities are significant. Many elderly people, individuals with disabilities, low-wage earners, and migrant workers have difficulty making long-distance trips, sometimes necessitating multiple trips within a short period of time. In some districts, this has resulted in public protests to have hearings conducted closer to polling locations.

Many voters have experienced repeated verification problems, particularly with regards to the old-style (pre-2002) voter data from the 2002 election. In some cases, where there are disputes about the latest electronic database mapping records correctly, references are being made back to the old-style (pre-2002) electors’ rolls for verification because the names of many voters are included in the older electors’ rolls but do not exactly match the names on the most recent electronic databases, many of these voters have been flagged for hearing. The small discrepancies in age, spelling, or address that have accumulated over several decades have resulted in some voters receiving notice of possible hearings or having to produce documents of proof of identity for voting purposes. For some of the older voters, especially those over 60, producing the required documentation has been a significant burden.

Voter documentation without reliable confirmation continues to be a major issue for many. Many constituents reported submitting identity and address verification documents during hearings or by using the verification process but were subsequently told that there was no record of their submission. In many instances, a receipt or written acknowledgment was not provided. The absence of traceability has caused increased concern among voters who were already being considered "not found" or "unmapped." These constituents now fear that the lack of documentation regarding their submissions may result in being deleted from the final roll because of a gap in the process, as opposed to ineligibility.

The increasing reliance on digitization throughout the SIR process has added to the pressure on voters and their rights, particularly where previously handwritten records in a regional script are being translated to digital formats via Standardization. Small discrepancies- spelling variations, estimated birth dates and different structures of address, have resulted in many of these records being reported as mismatched and therefore requiring subsequent verification. Many voters report receiving multiple phone calls regarding their records after making corrections to them, resulting in the perception of a repeated process rather than a resolved one.

For voters who are migrant workers or employed outside of their home districts, the difficulties of attending hearings scheduled with little notice often result in the voters having to make difficult decisions about whether to prioritize their livelihoods over compliance with the electoral process. As a result of the issues outlined above, voters report increased anxiety related to the electoral process. Many reports confusion with respect to the process, fear of being removed from the electoral roll and distrust of inconsistent communications regarding their voting record.

While the SIR 2026 project is designed to enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls, it appears that there is a conflict between the administrative verification process and the convenience of voters, which may affect the efficacy of the SIR process as to whether or not genuine voters feel to have been supported and protected during the process.

West Bengal will soon publish its final electoral roll. The process of Special Intensive Revision remains ongoing, with significant administrative and social challenges associated with the implementation of this program. Through the course of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), it was demonstrated how large and complex the task was to keep accurate databases of voters due to continued migration, vast differences in language, and the many years of records that had developed prior to the development of electronic records systems. The process of verification is critical to maintaining the integrity of an election; however, based on the experiences that have emerged on the ground, how the process is implemented may be equally as important as what is intended through the implementation.

Therefore, the final outcome of the SIR 2026 may not only depend on the level of accuracy of the databases produced but also on whether the process provides voters with the confidence that voter inclusion is the expected outcome through the system used.

 

Read more:

Sr Advocate Rakesh Dwivedi, appearing for the ECI, stated that

https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/sir-verification-of-citizenship-only-for-electoral-purposes-the-method-is-liberal-soft-touch-eci-tells-supreme-court-519854

Colours of Festival – Photo Exhibition at ASCO

Report by

Gabriella Nongtdu

BAJMC Sem 1

A few glimpses of the exhibition

The first-year students of ASCOK BAJMC and MAJMC of Amity School of Communication (ASCO) at Amity University, Kolkata put together a lively and engaging photo exhibition titled “Colours of Festival” on December 4, 2025 (Thursday). Guided by Prof. Sourav K Basu the event took place in the Big Studio from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, the event highlighted the students’ creativity, cultural understanding, and growing skills in photography. It became a space where their ideas and perspectives came alive through images.

The exhibition was arranged into three distinct sections, each presenting its own style and narrative through photographs. The first segment, titled “Colours of Festival”, featured nearly 100 photographs capturing celebrations from different cultures and traditions. Visitors were particularly drawn to this section, as the images beautifully reflected the joy, colours, rituals, and emotions that festivals bring into people’s lives. The photographs did not just document events—they conveyed the spirit and energy of each celebration, making the display both engaging and memorable.

The second part of the exhibition, called “Creative Section”, showcased 36 photographs where students really pushed their imagination. Many of the images played with unusual angles, thoughtful concepts, and fresh ideas that went beyond the typical ways photographs are taken. This section gave viewers a chance to see how creatively the students think, revealing not just their growing technical skills but also their ability to tell stories and express emotions in unexpected ways. It encouraged visitors to look at photography from a different perspective and appreciate the art form in a new light.

HoI, Dr. Pritam Chattopadhyay at the event

The last section of the exhibition was the “Faculty Section”, which displayed 14 photographs taken by the teaching staff. These pictures brought a professional touch to the event and showed the students how experienced photographers approach their craft. Seeing their own mentors’ work on display gave the students something real to look up to—examples of patience, skill, and creativity that inspired them to aim higher in their own photographic journeys.

To make the experience more interactive, the organisers introduced a simple yet engaging feedback system. A feedback chart was placed at the venue, allowing visitors to share their thoughts and impressions about the exhibition. Along with this, each guest received a small token that they could use to vote for the best photograph in the Creative Section. Every picture in that section was numbered, making it easy for visitors to choose their favourite. This voting activity not only added excitement to the event but also gave the student photographers a sense of appreciation and encouragement from their audience.

The exhibition drew enthusiastic participation from students belonging to various departments such as BBA, MBA, BCA, and Social Sciences, reflecting how the event resonated beyond the field of media studies. The presence of the Head of Institution (HOI) of the Communication Department, Dr. Pritam Chattopadhyay, added to the significance of the occasion. He was joined by around ten faculty members and staff, all of whom took time to observe the displays and appreciate the students’ work. During the event, some faculty members shared thoughtful remarks that left a lasting impression on the young photographers. Dr. Shatabdi Som encouraged the students by saying, “Love your artform but never be obsessed,” reminding them to stay passionate yet balanced in their creative pursuits. Prof. Moumita De Das lightened the atmosphere with the comment, “All photos deserve 100/100,” acknowledging the effort poured into every submission. The teachers later recorded their thoughts on the feedback chart, offering encouraging words and constructive reflections that made the exhibition even more meaningful for the participants.

Participating students of ASCO along with the faculty members

The “Colours of Festival” Photo Exhibition was much more than just a display of pictures—it was a celebration of culture, creativity, and the many ways colours shape our experiences. For the students, it became a valuable learning experience where they explored new ideas, worked together, and understood how powerful visual storytelling can be. The event not only boosted their confidence but also set a promising tone for their journey ahead in the world of media at Amity University, Kolkata. It was a memorable start, filled with enthusiasm, inspiration, and a genuine sense of accomplishment.

 

 

 

A Literary Evening at KCC: Unveiling Giyas Ali’s Love & His Time Alone

Report by

Rai Saha

BAJMC Sem 1 

Poster of the Event 

AMI Arts Festival, an initiative of KCC, hosted an evocative and intellectually charged book launch and reading session of ‘Giyas Ali’s Love & His Time Alone’ by Sadique Hossain on 30th November, 6:00–7:30 PM, at the KCC (Kolkata Centre for Creativity), 4th Floor with AHAVA Readers & Writers Club participating in The River of Words 2025—a literary celebration executed by Sufia Khatoon on behalf of Antonyms Publishers. The book, translated by Dr. Nandini Gupta, Professor of Electrical Engineering at IIT Kanpur, was at the centre of the evening’s discussion. 

Prof. Moumita De Das of Amity School of Communication and the Editor of ASCOPE was invited as one of the panelists to this prestigious discussion by AHAVA founders Mona Sen Gupta and Sushroota Sarkar.

The illustrious panel

L-R Dr. Nandini Gupta, the translator and the author Sadique Hossain 

along with Prof. Moumita De Das

Prof. Moumita De Das during her session along with the moderator 

Tathagata Roy, founder of Theatrician and cyber specialist, Reetwika Banerjee

Sadique Hossain, a Bengali writer and graphic designer from West Bengal and the Yuva Puraskar winner of 2012, shared in his introductory speech that he began writing this book through his phantom visions, which helped him shape the narratives without relying on conventional character archetypes. His writing, shaped partly by Latin American magical realism, offers sharp observations on situational politics through ordinary, native eyes. This book, too, extends that vision into a layered world of faith, guilt, desire and cultural memory.

Although the session was scheduled to be moderated by Mona Sen Gupta, a sudden loss of voice led to the responsibilities being handed over to Tathagata Chowdhury, who opened with his perspective on a “comedy of menace”—a category into which parts of the text subtly fall.

 The early segment reflected on the role of translation, with all the panellists collectively emphasising that translators do not merely translate language but translate culture. Translator Dr. Nandini Gupta’s treatment was praised for preserving Hossain’s unique writing rhythm, while Saira Shah Halim highlighted how the Bengali Muslim identity is rooted in a plural cultural soul shaped by everyday experiences—from the early-morning azaan to the fragrance of biryani and long-standing musical traditions. She noted that faith in Bengal has historically been an intrinsic, unquestioned part of life, Halim also pointed out the stark contrasts between the Muslim communities of Uttar Pradesh and Bengal, which create a nuanced tension between faith and longing. Gopa Bhattacharjee reflected on Hossain’s exclusive writing pattern and his nuanced depiction of internal conflicts, reinforcing the cultural and emotional depth embedded in the narrative.

 

The audience at KCC

Further contributions enriched the dialogue: Sarbani Chattopadhyay highlighted how the narrative transforms love from an emotion into a sensory experience; Pallavi Ghosal discussed how theology emerges through the parrot as a symbolic device; and Joyeeta Maiti praised the striking “bulbul and the duck” section for its stylistic distinctiveness. Shaowli Chakraborty emphasised the role of action in externalising the emotional and psychological dimensions of the story, offering insight into the writer’s thought process. Moumita De Das echoed earlier observations on the translator’s deep immersion into the writer’s world, while Tathagata Chowdhury, as moderator, remarked that certain sections of the book radiate the atmospheric intensity of a Tarantino film and even evoke anti-Christ-like imagery. Reetwika Banerjee shared that the book offered him a vivid visualisation of the rural heartland, and Amritendu Mukherjee reflected on how the rural setting interacts with a modern writing style, creating a striking literary contrast. While the discussion was enriched by these insightful panellists, several valued attendees such as Anindita Sarbadhicari, Sourabh Mukherjee, and Madhumita Roy Chowdhury were also deeply missed during the session.

 

Rai and Teerthankar from ASCOPE covering the event

The session concluded with reflections on how the book’s vivid imagery and the protagonist’s emotional landscape sparked discussions on guilt, grief, loss, and the limits of understanding. Hossain’s narrative invited readers’ active participation, and similar thematic threads resonated across the audience, a shared sense of engagement and appreciation for the text’s cultural and emotional depth.

Photographs by: Teerthankar Basak

 

13 WAYS TO BOOST SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN AND CONTENT

Tips by Balraj Singh

MAJMC Sem1

by Pexels

A social media campaign is a strategic marketing effort on social media platforms to achieve a specific, measurable goal over a set period. A campaign is a focused, concentrated effort that can include organic and paid content, such as ads, influencer collaborations, contests, and user-generated content.

I. Regular posting and engagement with the audience - 

The page should schedule posts consistently, preferably twice a day when the targeted audience is most active. Also, the page should reply, mention and interact with the audience, which keeps the viewers or followers engaged with the page, shorts, or clips ft the subscribers or followers also benefits both the followers and the page

II. By tracking analytics

 The team should consistently track the analytical dashboard to check whether their   content is bringing them followers or not; in case the latter team should change their  approach and move to a different plan

III. Hiring a social media manager

A good experienced social media manager with their team or a solo admin can take the social media game a notch above the competitors with their ideas and innovations in the long run

IV. Collaborating with influencers, content creators and celebrities

To gain prominence and visibility in the digital world, the page should hire influencers for its content creation and promotion. The celebrities and influencers with a large number of followers and reach contribute significantly to the growth of the page

V. Paid promotions

Targeted advertisements and paid promotions boost the content's visibility and promote it across algorithms  

VI. Trending hashtags and keywords

Choosing trendy and interactive hashtags becomes important to gain traction and stay  relevant in the digital world, to generate eyeballs during contests and fan wars

VII. Giveaways and contests

Occasional gift giveaways and contests usually bring in more engagement from the targeted audience and followers. It also keeps the campaign fresh and unique. 

VIII. Cross promotion-

The post promotion should not just be limited to just one platform; it should be across the entire social networking circle, like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube

IX. Brand x sponsor campaigns

The social media admin should promote campaigns with the sponsors, which helps both parties equally in the form of revenue and reach

X. Quality content

The content should be sharp and engaging, with high-quality videos, images, and a brand relatable colour palette for content

XI. Use of trending audio, meme’s and clips

Choosing trending memes and audio clips from the latest movies and shows during interactions or audios during uploads helps in gaining traction and fans  

XII. Optimize captions and CTA’s 

Caption is where the connection happens; it adds personality and meaning to your post. A simple “what do you think?” or “Tag someone who’d relate” can spark real engagement. Good CTA turn viewers into participants, and that is what every algorithm loves

XIII.  Reaching out to communities

The team handling the page or the social media manager should be in constant touch with the large communities or groups on social media, so that the subscribers or followers feel connected and important 

BONUS TIP:- For LinkedIn, industry leaders with high follower counts should be tagged and mentioned so that their likes and reactions give more visibility to the post

        

 

 

Bihar Elections 2025: Election Promises on Job: Youth’s Opinion

Report by

Souvik Mandal

MAJMC Sem 1

PC: Pexels

Kolkata: As Bihar Election is coming near, everywhere people talking about Bihar Election and Youths are actively participating in Election talk. From Tea Stalls to Offices and even in Colleges everywhere People are gossiping on Election and promises made by nominated Leaders.

In the conversation with Youths mainly they are concerned about unemployment and illiteracy. Some also says that this election will make a new Bihar free from Jungle Raj.  

Aman, 25yrs from Gaya said: "I am unemployed even after completion of Graduation. There is no job at all in Bihar. In last election also they have promised for giving jobs but nothing changed and again they are making same promises."

Priya, 19yrs from Patna said: "I am very excited to vote for first time. I have studied from a government school and there is no any good facilities in the school which encourage students to study. I will vote for the candidate who will talk about education system."

Arnav, 28 from Patna said: "I am watching this election very closely this time. And many leaders were giving false promises to public but this time we have tools to fact check their promises with available data. So, we can clearly choose our leader."

Sana, 22yrs from Rajgir said: "Migration is the main problem in our community. Young people leave home from job. We need local industry, better education. But I am very upset in this election as leaders are only talking about caste and religion."

Sourav, 23yrs from Bhagalpur said: "Politics divide use from being united by promoting caste politics. We need to talk about startups, skill training and digitalization."

While parties across different political alliances are talking about caste, jobs in every house, youths are cautious about jobs, trainings, stopping migration, better education. Youths promised they will vote for only those who will look after Bihar’s development

Today is 14th of November, we are awaiting for the results. Let's hope for the best.

(Author's personal opinion)

Latest update: Courtesy: The Times of India 

Bihar Election Results 2025 Live: As vote counting for the Bihar assembly elections continues, the ruling NDA has taken a comfortable lead in early trends, leaving the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, headed by Tejashwi Yadav, struggling to regain ground. Veteran leader and longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is once again poised for the top post.

Behind the Screenplay with eminent director, Partha Chakraborty

A Workshop Report

by

Modhurima Guha Neogi

MAFTP Sem 1

Poster by Anindita Chatterjee, MAFTP 1

Shri Partha Chakrabarty felicitated by Prof. Moumita De Das, ASCO

During the session

On October 28, 2025, ASCO, Amity University, Kolkata, welcomed celebrated Bengali director Partha Chakraborty, best known for his films Samantaral (2017) and Kkoli: A Journey of Love (2014), for an inspiring workshop on the craft of Scriptwriting and Screenplay Development. The workshop aimed to help students understand the creative and technical processes behind writing for cinema — transforming raw ideas into structured, visual narratives.

Partha Chakraborty is an acclaimed filmmaker, celebrated for his subtle storytelling and distinctive portrayal of human emotions. His works explore complex psychological and social themes, blending realism with cinematic artistry. With years of experience in directing and writing, he brought valuable industry insight to the session.

The workshop opened with a discussion on the core principles of screenplay writing, illustrating how to convey emotions and scenarios through dialogue as well as visual storytelling. He then elaborated on the core principles of screenwriting — including the three-act structure, characterization, and the crucial role of conflict in propelling the narrative. Shri Chakraborty emphasized that – “Creating a compelling visual experience is the first and most fundamental aspect of scriptwriting”.

He explained the distinction between a script and a screenplay, emphasizing that every scene should convey emotion through action rather than exposition. Drawing examples from his own films as well as the works of renowned filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Tarun Majumdar, he demonstrated how subtle gestures, silences, and camera movements enrich cinematic storytelling.

The workshop also included an interactive exercise where participants were asked to convert a short story idea into a film scene. Shri Chakraborty guided students on how to break the scene into beats, visualize the sequence, and write concise but expressive dialogue. He further explored the realms of documentary filmmaking, commercial advertising, and short-format cinema.

Scriptwriting practice by the students

Main Learnings and Observations of the workshop:

·       The significance of visual storytelling — crafting scenes with the camera’s perspective in mind.

·       How characters should develop through their decisions and actions rather than through exposition.

·       The significance of authentic emotional expression and avoiding stereotypical or overused elements.

·       Fundamental structure of scriptwriting.

·       The concepts of time and space in storytelling.

·       The differences between writing for TV series versus films.

·       Exploration the world of advertising during the session.

·       The value of revisions and constructive feedback in refining a script.

·       Recognizing that filmmaking is a collaborative art, where writers must consider direction, editing, and performance while shaping the narrative.

MAFTP Students attending the session

The session offered a rare window into the mind of an experienced filmmaker and deepened participants’ understanding of compelling screenplay construction. Shri Partha Chakraborty’s practical advice and real-world examples inspired many students to explore writing for the screen. Overall, it was an enriching experience that bridged the gap between classroom theory and cinematic practice.

An Interactive Hour with Prof. Ayanjit Sen

 Report by

Rai Saha

B.A Sem 1

The poster created by Rai Saha

Prof. Ayanjit Sen while the session

Felicitated by Prof. Moumita De Das, ASCO

The students of Amity School of Communication, Kolkata

Kolkata, October 27- The session served as the bedrock for a renewed sense of curiosity and intellectual engagement among attendees, as Amity University Kolkata, conducted a guest lecture session with Prof. Ayanjit Sen focusing on the complex and evolving field of information warfare and it's digital influence. Where Prof. Sen elaborated on how the modern landscape of warfare has extended far beyond physical combat zones to include digital, psychological, and informational dimensions. He began by introducing the fundamentals of information warfare, describing it as the strategic use of information to shape opinions, influence decisions, and manipulate behaviours during both conflict and peacetime. He explained that in the present era, wars are not only fought with weapons but also with words, visuals, and digital content that have the power to alter public perception and morale.

Prof. Sen addressing the students

Prof. Sen discussed in detail the challenges faced in predicting and responding to modern information conflicts. According to him, one of the greatest difficulties today lies in anticipating how adversaries will use information as a weapon and how quickly one can react to counteract those narratives. Modern warfare, he explained, uses non-kinetic methods—where physical battles are accompanied by campaigns of misinformation and disinformation designed to weaken an opponent’s resolve.

Moving forward, Prof. Sen explained that successful strategic communication is a key to combating information warfare effectively. He stressed the importance of identifying hostile actors and understanding the narratives they create. Only through a detailed assessment of these narratives can one craft precise and targeted counter-messages. He encouraged students to view communication as a strategic tool that requires accuracy, timing, and credibility. Effective communication, he said, is not about responding louder, but about responding smarter—by tailoring messages to the right audience with factual, trustworthy, and emotionally resonant content.

Prof. Sen addressing the students

He further explored the digital dimensions of information warfare by introducing several tools and tactics that shape online influence. Prof. Sen elaborated on how social media bots, deepfakes, AI-generated images, meme warfare, and algorithmic amplification are increasingly being used to manipulate public sentiment and spread misinformation at an unprecedented scale. He explained how these technologies enable disinformation to go viral within seconds, often making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. Through relevant examples, he demonstrated how memes and viral trends can be weaponized to push political agendas or damage reputations, showing the students the media’s powerful yet double-edged role in modern conflicts.

Sen also explained how “internet sleeper cells” operate, using AI, coordinated social media activity, international media narratives, and digital influencers through paid campaigns to seed and later activate misleading narratives across the globe.

Prof. Sen concluded the session by highlighting the importance of counter-tactics—methods used to trace and verify the origin of misleading information.  The lecture was interdisciplinary which provided the students with a holistic growth.