Two Silchar Journalists Stand Tall with PM Modi in Historic PTI Visit

In a historic moment for journalism in Barak Valley, two stalwart journalists from Silchar, Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury, Senior Chief Sports Correspondent, and Amit Kumar Das, Chief Correspondent, Sports, PTI, shared an unforgettable hour with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his groundbreaking visit to the Press Trust of India (PTI) premises.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit on Saturday marked his first-ever appearance in a newsroom since assuming office in 2014, a gesture that underscored the significance of the media in shaping public discourse. The visit included a close look at PTI’s newly-launched video service, showcasing the organization’s commitment to evolving with the times.

Walking through the entire newsroom, Prime Minister Modi engaged with the entire PTI staff in batches, offering particular attention to the senior editorial and executive teams. His keen interest in the teleprinter and creed machine, once considered cutting-edge in news transmission, demonstrated his appreciation for the evolution of media technology.

Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury, a Sports Journalist and an alumni of Department of Mass Communication, Assam University, expressed his elation, stating, “It was a dream come true opportunity as PM Modi was the only PM after Chandrashekhar to visit a news agency and spend an hour talking to all edit desks across PTI.” He hailed the occasion as a momentous one for someone with roots in a distant region.

Singha Choudhury has over 15 years of experience in the field, presently working at PTI (New Delhi), shared his reflections on the extraordinary opportunity. He began his career with a PR firm in the National Capital, briefly working there before transitioning into full-time sports journalism. Over the years, Choudhury has covered numerous international sporting tournaments, including the Cricket World Cup, Hockey World Cup, Formula One Racing, MotoGP, among others. His coverage extends beyond the sporting arena, involving Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India, where he liaises with senior government officials on a day-to-day basis. With a wealth of experience, he also understands the dynamics of the other side of the coin, having worked in PR and Corporate Communication. Now, after a long stint in journalism, he looks forward to contributing his experience and expertise in media relations and content management to the other side of the profession.

Amit Kumar Das who also is an AUS alumni, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the honor it was for journalists from Silchar to meet the Prime Minister and be part of such a significant event in the history of Indian journalism. Das also has with around 15 years in the media industry, has consistently aimed to live up to the true meaning of a Mass Communication student, optimizing his skills to the fullest. His dedication to the field is evident in his commitment to delivering quality journalism. Reflecting on the honor of meeting the Prime Minister, Das emphasized the significance of the occasion for journalists hailing from Silchar, portraying it as a big honor for those who have made their mark in the media industry.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi had a one-on-one conversation with PTI’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi, discussing the challenges and opportunities before the media and recent political developments. Modi, displaying his multifaceted talents, signed a visitor’s book and composed a poem on ‘aachaar, vichaar, or ab samachar…’, touching on conduct, thought processes, and news.

As a token of appreciation, Modi was presented with an iconic PTI picture capturing him in the midst of a sea of supporters during a Varanasi roadshow in the 2019 election campaign.

The visit not only symbolized a convergence of political and journalistic worlds but also showcased the resilience and significance of PTI, with journalists like Saumojyoti Singha Choudhury and Amit Kumar Das standing tall as the biggest ambassadors of journalism from Barak Valley, weathering storms for decades and yet continuing to uphold the principles of journalism with heads held high.