Mrinal Chatterjee

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee

Dr. Mrinal Chatterjee (born-1961) is a leading media educator and trainer in India. He heads the Indian Institute of Mass Communicaiton, Dhenkanal, a branch of IIMC, New Delhi.

Journalist-turned-Journalism teacher, Dr.Chatterjee is a reputed media person who has worked in almost all media with élan. He is a very popular columnist in Orissa. An accomplished fiction writer, he has published five novels and four short story collections and has won many awards for his creative writing. Besides fiction, he has published two books on Journalism and Mass Communication in Oriya.

He is currently writing a book on Journalism in Orissa. It is the first major publication on the history of journalism in Orissa. The book will immensely benefit the journalism students, research scholars, teachers and journalists in the state. Apart from this, his latest Oriya fiction ‘Jagate Thiba Jate Dina’ was released in 2010. The book consists of collection of his highly appreciated columns published in weekly Samaja, a leading Oriya newspaper.

Career

He started his career as a Lecturer in English in 1983, joined Sambad, an Oriya daily in 1984 as sub-editor and became Edition-in-Charge of Sambad’s North Orissa edition in December 1996. As a Journalist, Mr. Chatterjee has written extensively on Environment. He has been awarded the prestigious K.K. Birla Foundation Fellowship(1996) and Journalist Fellowship by Centre for Science and Environment(1991 and 1992).

He joined Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanl as Associate Professor in February 1999. He became Professor and head of the Eastern India campus of IIMC located in Dhenkanal, Orissa in June 2008.

He has also extensively worked in radio and television. He worked in AIR and Doordarshan in several capacities- as Announcer and Newsreader for over 7 years, besides doing various programmes. He has written the story and screenplay of many successful tele-serials and anchored many radio and television programmes.

Academic qualifications

i. Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication), Berhampur University, 2007

ii. M.M.C.(Masters in Mass Communication) Guru Jambheswar University, 2002.

iii. M.A. (Public Administration), Utkal University, 1993

iv. M.A. (English), Utkal University, 1982

v. LL.B. Utkal University, 1983

vi. H.S.C., BOSE, Orissa, 1976

vii. Certificate Course in Human Rights, IGNOU, 2007

viii. Certificate Course in German, Utkal University, 199

Training

Two weeks Trainer’s Training on ‘Conflict Reporting’ by Thomson Foundation in Cardiff, Belfast and London. 28 January-12 February 2006.

Research experience

i. Ph.D. study: Barefoot Journalists in the 21st century: Journalism as a profession in Orissa, 2007

ii. Communication Needs Assessment (CNA) Study, 2000-2001 for State AIDS Cell, Bhubaneswar as Project Co-ordinator.

iii. One Year Study on ‘Peoples' participation pertaining to Environmental Issues: Chilka, Budhi Khamari, Gandhamardan and Bhitar Kanika’, 1996-97. Fellowship awarded by K. K. Birla Foundation, New Delhi.

iv. Study on 'Afforestation Programme in Mayurbhanj district, Orissa’, 1993. Fellowship awarded by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi.

v. Study on 'Water Mill System of Himachal Pradesh', 1992. Fellowship awarded by Centre for Science and Environment (ISE), New Delhi.

vi. Baseline Communication study on ICDS project of Bihar, 1991

Teaching experience

i. Professor (Communication), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, Orissa since June, 2008

ii. Associate Professor, (Communication Theory and Research), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, Orissa since February, 1999.

iii. Delivered lecture on ‘Importance of News Media for Business’,‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ and ‘Creativity in Advertisement’ in Business Schools like Xaviers in Bhubaneswar.

iv. Delivered lecture on ‘Women and Media’ in Academic Staff College, Benaras Hindu University

v. Delivered lecture on ‘Peoples’ Participation in Environmental Issues and role of Mainstream Media’ in Department of Botany, MPC College, Baripada and Utkal University

vi. Guest Faculty in Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Berhampur University, Berhampur, Orissa. (Subjects: Development Journalism, Reporting), Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Orissa. (Subjects: Television Journalism, Development Journalism), and other media schools in several States.

Papers published

i. Sustainable Human Development and Role of Media, Role of Media in Development and Governance: A compilation of Articles, Centre for Media Research and Development Studies, Kolkata, 2008

ii. Sensitize Grassroot-level Journalists to reach Rural communities, Indian Media Studies Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, July–December, 2006

Seminars attended

i. National seminar on ‘Future of Print Media’ organised by Surendranath College in Kolkata, February 17–18, 2009. Presented a paper entitled ‘Future of Print Media: Both bleak and bright’.

ii. Narional seminar on ‘Towards Police Reforms’ organised by APVW School of Media and Policy Research and Indian Institute of Mass Communication in Kolkata, September 21, 2008.

iii. National seminar on ‘Locating History in Mass Communication and Journalism in 20th Century’organised by U.N.College at Adaspur, Orissa, July 12–13, 2008. Presented a paper titled,‘‘Locating History in Mass Communication and Journalism’

iv. Regional seminar on ‘Broadcast Regulations: Future of Broadcasting in India’ organised by Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) and Centre for Media Research and Development Studies, Kolkata in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and UNESCO at Press Club, Kolkata, April 7 and 8, 2007. Presented a paper titled, ‘Content in Television: A paradigm shift’.

v. National seminar on ‘Regional Language Press in India: new era, new challenges’ organised by University of Pune, Maharastra, February 12–14, 2007. Presented a paper titled, ‘Oriya Language Press: Status, Problems and Prospects’

vi. National Science Communication Congress in Science City Ahmedabad, 11–15 December 2006. Presented a paper, Science -Media Interaction: Status and Prospect. It was adjudged as the best paper in the Congress.

Media-related experience

i. Worked as a Sub-editor (1984–89), Senior Correspondent (1991–96) and Edition-in-Charge, Sambad, North-Orissa Edition, Balasore (1996–99).

ii. Write weekly and fortnightly columns in Sambad, Samaja, Samaya and Sambad Kalika.

iii. Anchored many radio and TV programmes for AIR, Cuttack, Baripada, Joranda, Berhampur; Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar and E-TV(Oriya). Read news on Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar. Anchored 6 episodes of E-TV Adalat, on various election related issues, 2004. Anchored an interview-based talk show, Sapanara Pathe Pathe. (19 episodes, first telecast: July 2005) and a programme on women empowerment for Mission Shakti titled Shaktirupa for Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar (26 episodes, first telecast: May 2007). Presently anchoring a science programme on E-TV(Oriya), titled Ajira Bigyana (First telecast: April 2005)

iv. Reports, features, news-reports published in different National, regional and local papers and periodicals including Indian Express, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, Punjab Keshari, Janmabhoomi (Gujarati), Aaj (Hindi), Pratikhan (Bengali), etc.

v. Stories, Plays, Novels, translations published in different magazines, news papers and periodicals including Katha, Amrutayana, Agami Satabdi, Chandrabhaga, Aaj (Hindi), Pratikhan (Bengali), Bindu (Marathi), etc. Wrote script for tele-serials.

vi. Associated with a Central Govt. funded audio cassette software production for school children project as Content Expert, 1990.

vii. Directed a video documentary film on 'Solid Waste Management in Puri Municipality’ for ORITCO, 1997.

vii. Member of committees to devise communication training programmes for several Govt. departments.

Publications

Non-Fiction:

i. Gana Madhyam O Sambadikata (Mass Media and Journalism), Sephali Communications, Balasore 1998. A collection of essays in Oriya on Mass Media.

ii. Pariibesh O Jana Sachetanata (Environment and Peoples' awareness), Pine Books, Cuttack, 1997. A research based book on peoples' awareness pertaining to environment in Oriya.

iii. Sabda, Chhabi, Akhara (Sound, Picture & Script), Sephali Communications, Bhubaneswar, 2002. A collection of essays in Oriya in Mass Media.

Fiction :

iv. Nian (The Fire), Pine Books, Cuttack 1997. A docu-fiction on Baripada Fire Tragedy.

v. Bharatpur ra Bagha, (The Tiger of Bharatpur), Pine Books, Cuttack. 1995. Novel. A social satire.

vi. Secretariat re Bagha (The Tiger in the Secretariat), Sephali Communications, Baripada. 1995. Novel. A political satire.

vii. Orissa O Ananya Galpa ( Orissa and other stories), Friends Publishers, Cuttack. 1991. Anthology of short stories.

viii. Brutta O Ananya Galpa ( The Circle and other stories), Granthamandira, Cuttack, 2000. Anthology of short stories. ix. Shakti (The Power), Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2000. A Novel.

x. Rangadhanga, Prangyaloka, Puri, 2002

xi. Bhala achha Nabaghana?(Are you well Nabaghana?) Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2003.

xii. Nabaghana Bhala Achhi (Nabaghana is well), Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2005.

xiii. Bidhumukhi, Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2005.

xiv. Sani Mandira Samnare Saat Bhikari (Seven Beggers in front of Sani Temple),Kadambini Media, Bhubaneswar, 2008. Novel.

Translation :

i. Saranagata. Original Bengali novel by Samaresh Mazumdar. Kahani, Cuttack. 1995.

ii. Ekti Meye Lata. Original Bengali Children's Fiction. National Book Trust. 1997.

iii. Nagaraja ra Duniya (The World of Nagaraj). Original English novel by R.K. Narayana. Pine Books, Cuttack. 1998

iv. Samakaleen Gujrati Kahania (Contemporary Gujrati Stories). Original stories by contemporary Gujrati short story writers. National Book Trust, New Delhi. 2005.

v. Amara gachapatra Dehrare ebebi Baduchi (Our trees still grow in Dehra). Original English stories by Ruskin Bond. Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata. 2005.

vi. Mahasweta Devinka Srestha Galpa (Best strories of Mahasweta Devi). Original Bengali short stories by Mahasweta Devi. National Book Trust, New Delhi. 2006.

Radio Plays and Serials:

i. Yamaraj Chhutire ( Lord of Death on leave), Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 2008

ii. Ghataka (The Executioner), Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 1992

iii. Rabibara re Dine (On one Sunday) Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 1992

iv. Nabaghanara Sansara (The family of Nabaghana) Radio serial. AIR, Jeypore. Six Episodes. First broadcast- 2001

v. Kemiti Chalichi (How are things going), 13- episode Radio serial, AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 2004

vi. E Duniya kala kimiya (The world mesmerised me), 13- episode Radio serial, AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast - August 2006

Tele Serials:

i. Made in Orissa, E-TV Oriya, Fifty plus Episodes. First telecast- 2002.

ii. Kahile kahiba kahuchi, E-Tv, Oriya. Fifty plus episodes. First telecast- 2004

Awards/Honours

i. Sahakar Galpa Samman, January 2008

ii. Felicited by ‘Dr. Radhanath Rath Sambad Sahitya Award by Utkal Sahitya Samaj, Cuttack. July 2007

iii. Best Rural Journalist Award by Janavani, Bhubaneswar. February 2007

iv. Mayurbhanj Samman, Baripada. December 2006

Sources

http://cmsvatavaran.org/cmsvata/cvdt.aspx?cvno=5 http://orissamatters.com/news/index.php/category/achievers-2/ http://iimc.gov.in/mrinal-chatterjee.html

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Name	Chatterjee, Mrinal
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Date of birth	1961
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