News Broadcasting
New Summer Workshop in Films for Engineering Students scripted to teach new skills, innovative thinking- Actor Nagarjuna
MUMBAI : Annapurna International School of Film + Media (www.aisfm.edu.in) today announced a new summer workshop – Filmmaking for Engineering Students. The workshop involves working in teams to develop stories and to produce films. This process enables students to gain experience in the soft skills that are sought by employers.
The workshop covers scriptwriting, basic camera operations, editing and sound mixing, with a focus on teamwork and creativity.
"For many engineering students, the focus on technical studies and preparing for exams can squeeze out any time for creative endeavors. That's why we have scheduled this workshop in the summer holidays, so that students can build their communication skills without impacting their studies." Akkineni Nagarjuna, President of AISFM, said.
It's not surprising that soft skills continue to play a big role in hiring decisions. Almost all India's leading IT and engineering firms have expressed concern at the difficulty in recruiting graduates. While many students have acceptable technical skills, most students are lacking in verbal and written communication skills, creativity, and teamwork and etiquette.
"I believe that schools like ours can help by assisting the students with the hands-on teamwork experience that is missed in our schools and universities. Also, soft skills are characteristics that make us more likable and help with making new friends." Nagarjuna adds.
Chris Higgins, Vice President – Marketing and Admissions, explained, "Many engineering students are passionate about cinema. This course allows them to explore that passion by making films, while also developing key skills for their careers. At our workshop the focus is to teach them communication, co-ordination and leadership skills which will add muscle to their career growth."
The Workshop will be held from 9:30am to 1:30pm, Monday to Friday, at the AISFM campus inside Annapurna Studios, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Classes run from 27th May to the 21st of June. The four week course fee is Rs.10,000/-
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 rolls out Battle for the States ahead of key polls
Multi-format election coverage tracks voter mood across five battleground states
NEW DELHI: CNN-News18 has launched a special election programming initiative titled Battle for the States, as India gears up for high-stakes Assembly elections across West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry.
Built around the theme ‘Road to Power’, the multi-format coverage aims to follow the entire electoral journey, from campaigning and polling to results and government formation. The network is leaning into on-ground reportage and data-backed storytelling to decode voter sentiment across regions where local issues often shape the narrative.
The programming line-up includes ‘Vote Tracker’, a three-part series developed in collaboration with survey agency Vote Vibe. The show blends survey insights with expert commentary and field reporting, using augmented reality graphics to present complex electoral data such as vote share, seat projections and leadership preferences in a more accessible format. It will air every Monday evening until April 6.
Adding a cultural lens to political reporting is ‘So Saree!’, a ground-driven segment where women anchors travel across constituencies dressed in traditional handwoven sarees from each state. The format uses attire as a storytelling device, highlighting regional identity while capturing grassroots voices.
Meanwhile, ‘Unfiltered Kaapi’ and ‘Chai-Niti’ bring a more conversational tone, drawing inspiration from everyday political discussions in tea stalls and coffee corners. These segments aim to break down key issues through candid, fast-paced exchanges between anchors and reporters, tailored to regional sensibilities.
For viewers seeking deeper insights, the weekend docuseries ‘Reporters Project’ takes a longer view, with correspondents travelling across constituencies to map voter concerns and political shifts on the ground.
“Elections are about people, their aspirations, identities and the issues that matter to them, and every state tells a different story,” said CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar. He added that the initiative focuses on understanding “the sentiment on the ground and what’s driving voter choices”.
Echoing the emphasis on credibility, Network18 CEO – English and business news Smriti Mehra said the network aims to combine on-ground reporting with data-led insights to deliver clear and timely coverage as the elections unfold.
With a mix of data, culture and grassroots reporting, CNN-News18 is positioning Battle for the States as a comprehensive window into one of India’s most closely watched electoral cycles, where every vote carries a story waiting to be told.
