Mass Communication Alumna wins ICCR international video blogging prize

Aligarh: From riding solo to the mountains in Kashmir to exploring food in Delhi and walking through the labyrinth of Rajasthan’s walled cities; a former student of Mass Communication, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from Mauritius, Mudhoo Amnah Umme Tasneem captured India’s incredible culture and history, sights and smells, energy and heart-warming smiles in a short video. The astutely rendered video fetched her first prize of 2000 US dollars in the international video blogging competition organised by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Mass Communication course of Aligarh Muslim University attracts a number of foreign students and many from Maruritius completed this course.

Maryam Goudaar, an acclaimed journalist and author was our student, said Professor Shafey Kidwai, Dept of Mass Communication who also congratulated Ms Tasneem.

Professor Pitabas Pardhan,Chairman, Dept of Mass Communication lauded the effort of Ms Tasneem who got recognition at international level.

Ms Tasneem hardly knew that her travel experience—filmed for a video blog will bring accolades to her alma mater, AMU, which she joined in 2015 for a Masters in Mass Communications course.

Ms Tasneem has won the first prize in a prestigious International Video Blogging contest, ‘MY impressions of India’ organised by the ICCR, New Delhi. Her video, selected by the India Mission in Mauritius was adjudged the best among entries from 33 countries.

“I had no idea that someday, the video blog will fetch me a highly regarded reward. I am glad to have represented AMU on an international platform and my success owes much to Mass Communication faculty. I got hands-on training at the department”, she said.

Her video begins with reminiscing of student life at AMU. She recalls in the blog, “At AMU, I found myself with an abundance of great friends”.

“Students of diverse cultures live together at AMU, exhibiting unity in diversity and celebrating different festivals together,” said Ms Tasneem, who can be seen throwing colours on friends in an enthusiastic and carefree way during the Holi celebrations in the video.

In the video voice-over , she speaks of relishing the gastronomic delight, ‘Waazwan’ in the Kashmir valley; driving to the picturesque Manali and into the depths of what the Himalayas offer; the immaculate gardens and markets of Delhi; forts and palaces in Rajhastan; thrilling adventures in Rishikesh, Yoga classes by Baba Ramdev and a Kailash Kher concert.

“Beauty in India is vastly different, the more you explore—the deeper you uncover”, she said while concluding the video showing diverse nuances of cuisines, faiths, arts, crafts, music, nature, lands, history, architectural heritage and spectacular landscapes.