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Neeraj Ghaywan’s life and achievements are far from ordinary. Think about what it’s like to leave your engineering job as a graduate, move to the corporate world and switch to making films purely to communicate important messages. That’s what Ghaywan chose to do, and as a result, he’s now considered one of the leading filmmakers in Indian cinema.

Masaan was Ghaywan’s first film, and many people discovered him when this movie came out. Masaan, which takes place in Varanasi, confronts viewers with difficult matters like caste, grief and redemption. At the Cannes Film Festival in 2015, it not only claimed awards; it touched people and made them talk. Here was someone who was ready to show society its own image and ask the difficult questions.

Ghaywan continued to explore new ideas after that. His latest project, Homebound, which debuted at Cannes in 2025, goes even further. It looks at who we are, where we come from, and the legacy of hardship passed down, focused on the stories of people seldom shown in typical films. There is something special and new in Ghaywan’s focus on Dalit themes, caste issues and the privileges a few factions hold in Indian cinema.

What separates Neeraj Ghaywan from others is that he always stays true to who he is. For a long time, he concealed his Dalit identity, though today, he shows it with pride in his life and in his profession. His films aren’t only meant to entertain; they also fight stereotypes and open discussions that are important for India.

Ghaywan does this by telling stories that are moving, natural and related to the lives of Indians, and this is reshaping the future of Indian cinema. He is not limiting himself to making movies; he is making a positive impact.

In the bigger picture, Neeraj Ghaywan is here to show who deserves to stay at the top, and he’s surely changing the way we see it all. This is why audiences across the world, as well as in India, are appreciating his creativity, courage and his bold new voice

Let’s pause for a moment. Why do we love stories?

Because they make us feel. They inspire, teach, comfort, and sometimes even heal.This makes you a better communicator, a more sensitive journalist, and a more responsible media professional.

When you “walk” in someone else’s shoes through VR, you begin to understand their world. 

One of the most beautiful things about VR is its ability to touch hearts. A VR documentary about a refugee child or a war-torn village doesn’t just inform,it makes you feel. It connects you emotionally to the subject. For media students, this is powerful. It teaches empathy, responsibility, and the true purpose of storytelling.

Virtual Reality makes those stories even more powerful. It brings them to life in a way no book or video ever could. For a young student dreaming of making a difference in the media world, VR is not just a subject,it’s a soul-stirring journey.

It teaches you that storytelling isn’t just about cameras or headlines,it’s about connection. It’s about using technology to bring people closer, build understanding, and spread truth.

For years, learning media was mostly theoretical,reading books, writing notes, and watching old documentaries. But students today want more. They want to experience, explore, and experiment. VR allows you to do just that.

Interactive Learning: Instead of reading about how a news channel works, you can enter a VR simulation of a newsroom. You can interact with editors, anchors, and learn by doing.

Practical Exposure: Film students can visit virtual movie sets, control cameras, and understand lighting and direction.

Creative Freedom: VR lets you create your own virtual worlds. You’re not limited by budgets or real-world constraints. You can tell stories in new, bold ways.Media is about telling stories. Whether it's through news, films, documentaries, podcasts, or social media, every media professional is a storyteller. VR adds a new layer to storytelling—it makes stories immersive.

Imagine you are learning to be a journalist. You put on a VR headset and suddenly, you're standing in the middle of a protest, reporting live. You can hear the crowd, feel the tension, and understand the situation better than you ever could from a textbook. That’s the power of VR in education,it brings you face-to-face with reality, without leaving your classroom.

In today’s fast-changing world, technology is not just around us-it’s a part of us. From smartphones to smart classrooms, everything is evolving. One of the most exciting technologies transforming our lives is Virtual Reality (VR). For students who dream of becoming storytellers, journalists, filmmakers, or content creators, VR is not just a tool-it’s a new world of possibilities. It’s shaping young media minds and preparing them for a future where creativity knows no limits.

Why is VR Important in Media Education?

The media is about telling stories. Whether it's through news, films, documentaries, podcasts, or social media, every media professional is a storyteller. VR adds a new layer to storytelling,it makes stories immersive.

Virtual Reality in Action now-  Some leading journalism schools now use VR to train students in field reporting. They simulate crisis zones, political rallies, and natural disasters, so students learn how to report in stressful, real-time environments.

Film and Animation Courses-Students are making 360-degree films using VR cameras. They are learning how to tell stories that the audience can “step into,” creating completely  new cinematic experiences.

Training News Anchors-Students use VR to practice anchoring in virtual studios, learning to control their body language, voice modulation, and camera presence.

Your Future with VR

So, what can you do as a student?

Be curious -Learn how VR works. Watch VR content, try free VR apps, and explore virtual tours.

Join workshops- Many institutions offer short VR courses and workshops. Take part in them.

Experiment- If you have a smartphone, try simple VR apps. Create a short 360-degree story.

Think differently- Ask yourself,how can I tell a story that people can feel, not just watch?

The media world is changing. And you, dear student, are the future of that world. Virtual Reality is just one of many tools that will help you become not just a better media professional, but a more compassionate human being.

Because in this new age of media, the world doesn’t need more noise,it needs more meaning. And with the power of VR, you can give your stories the meaning they deserve.

Shaping media minds with Virtual Reality is not just a phrase,it’s a promise. A promise that your imagination will lead the way, and your heart will always be part of the story.

You are stepping into a world full of opportunities. If you love media, if you believe in the power of stories, and if you’re excited by new technology—Virtual Reality is your stage.

Start exploring! Start learning! Start dreaming.

Because the future of Virtual Reality in media education is not just something that will happen,it’s something you will help shape.

Be bold. Be curious. Be the storyteller the future needs.

So, dream big. Dive into the world of VR. Use it to shape your mind, your voice, and your future.

When you see a catchy headline screaming Hot Tea but after clicking on it, you realise it was just bait, how do you feel? Frustrated? Obviously! People have experienced this so much in last decade that they have started to avoid such headlines. This has become a little more problematic after the meme culture took the lead.

So, how do we make people read our articles? Should we put memes? Or use basic titles?  

The right way to make headlines stand out isn’t just by making them stand out. New studies and industry statistics suggest that the magic formula isn’t as simple as you might think. Let’s explore what motivates people to click on headlines and what this means for professionals and content creators.

The Reasons Why Headlines Often Fail (and Solutions Backed by Science)

There are plenty of sensational news stories out there, like “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!,” but the public is becoming more aware and discerning. People are not falling for clickbait like they used to. What is causing the results we see now? Whereas advertising used to rely only on creative concepts, today it depends on psychology, data and a splash of art.

The Key to Successful Headlines: The Four U’s

According to the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), writing good headlines starts with using the Four U’s framework:

Useful: Describe the value for the reader of reading your paper.

Urgent: Make things look more up-to-date.

Unique: Provide a product or service that is not found with your competitors.

Ultra-specific: Explain in detail the outcomes you achieved.

To see this clearly, read these two headlines:

• How to Get More Sales
• How to Increase Your Sales by 37% in 30 Days—Backed by Data

Headline number two is more targeted and urgent and offers a real advantage, so it is more likely to be clicked.

The Curiosity Gap Tells You Just Enough to Want to Read More

A recent review of almost 9,000 headline studies revealed that effective headlines mix just the right amount of mystery with information. When a headline is not specific, readers can be confused. If the ad is really narrow, it won’t motivate anyone to look at it. The answer? Headlines that are specific enough to fascinate the reader are what researchers describe as having “optimal concreteness”.

For maximum clickthroughs, headlines should not be either very general or very detailed.

This understanding relies on the idea from curiosity psychology: individuals are most curious and keen to click when they think they will be able to fill a knowledge gap with your writing. This can be done with Numbers, Power Words and Emotional Triggers

1. Numbers: Numbers in the headline (“Only 30% of people believe…”) perform better than those without, since they explain what readers will receive at a glance.
2. Power Words: Declaring something as a secret, ultimate, proven or easy is a way to catch readers’ attention and make them interested.
3. Emotion: Compared to neutral or negative headlines, search results with headlines that express positive sentiment see a 4.1% higher rate of clicks, says the analysis.

What about SEO?

Yes, SEO Is Important, But the Value of Context Can’t Be Ignored

The top result on Google gets a striking 27.6% of all clicks. Yet, the highest SEO won’t be able to help if your message isn’t relevant to the reader. Being clear and relevant is absolutely necessary.

What about questions?

Popular belief says question-based headlines like “How Can You Write Better Headlines?” are better, but that’s not always the case. The analysis found that click-through rates for questions were very close to those for standard headlines. It is important to write your headline in a way that matches how your audience searches for things online.

Why is Tricking in Headlines Not Working Anymore?

Deliberately making a headline sound better than the article to grab audience attention, called clickbait, seems to bring fast results, but psychology studies have shown it has many disadvantages. 

Bad headlines often use common biases to trigger quick and emotional responses without letting us really think or question. The strategy may get brief attention, but when what’s promised in the headline fails to appear, readers may not trust it again, and the publication’s reputation may also be damaged.

Furthermore, many studies show that headlines that are different from the article’s content can make the material harder to understand and lower readers’ motivation to get involved with the article, hurting social norms and public loyalty. 

With repeated clickbait headlines, the public may misunderstand events, become more divided and struggle to see which sources are credible. It does more than harm readers’ mental health by putting them under more stress and overloading them with news; it also endangers the ethical principles behind journalism nowadays. 

Ultimately, creating attention-grabbing headlines is easier when you focus on what the audience likes, what they want to know and offer clear value. As we live in an AI and information era, winning headlines are those that take into account the reader’s intelligence and available time.

Remember, rather than shouting the loudest in your writing, you should work on being the most relevant, engaging and honest. It’s these tactics that will help you score the most clicks in 2025 and beyond.

Many of us watch Shark Tank India and admire the sharks, Peyush Bansal, Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, and others. They sit there as successful CEOs, listening to pitches, investing crores, and guiding entrepreneurs.

But here’s the truth we often forget, they were once students, just like you.

They didn’t have money or big offices. They had doubts, fears, and failures. But they believed in their ideas. And that made all the difference

These people didn’t have everything figured out in college. But they all had one thing in common, they believed in themselves and their ideas.

So, if you're unsure about your path today, you’re exactly where you're supposed to be. The journey starts here.

Every Big Dream Starts Small Every big company was once a tiny idea on a piece of paper.

Every great idea, invention, or business that changed the world started with something simple—a thought. An idea. A dream.

Your ideas matter, and with belief, they can shape your future. Ideas don’t need to be perfect. 

They just need to: Solve a real problem. Be something you're passionate about! Add value to others’ lives

Whether it's a handmade product, an online service, a podcast, a YouTube channel, or a business plan—your idea has worth.

How to Start Believing in Your Idea

If you have an idea, here’s what you can do right now-

Write it down-Describe what your idea solves, who it helps, and how it works.

Talk about it-Share with friends, teachers, or mentors. Ask for feedback. Don’t be shy.

Start small-Create a prototype, try a free version, or test it online. Start with zero cost. Start with a small idea. Start now.

Because 5 years from now, when someone asks you how you became successful, you’ll say: “I believed in my idea—just like the sharks once did.”

Learn from everywhere-Watch Shark Tank, read startup blogs, follow entrepreneurs. Knowledge builds belief.

Don’t wait to be “ready.” There’s no perfect time. Start with what you have, where you are.

If you’re a student with a dream-this is your time. Don’t let self-doubt or fear stop you.

Ideas have power. Your ideas have power. Failures Will Come. Keep Going.

Belief doesn’t protect you from failure. But it gives you the strength to try again.

Even if-Nobody buys your product! People laugh at your idea. You make mistakes

You lose money. Don’t quit. Think like a shark—adjust, learn, pivot, and rise.

The world doesn’t need more followers. It needs more creators, thinkers, and leaders.

And those leaders will come from classrooms, hostel rooms, and college fests. From people like you.

Your Time is Now! India is at a beautiful point in history where-

Startups are respected

Digital tools are accessible

Students are supported through startup cells

Investors are looking for young talent

The next Shark Tank India success story could be yours. All it takes is one step. One idea. One belief. Failures are Part of the Path.Every shark faced failure. Aman Gupta’s first venture didn’t work. Vineeta Singh faced rejections from investors. Peyush Bansal’s earlier companies weren’t successful. But they didn’t give up. They learned. They tried again. That’s how belief works—it helps you rise after falling.

Education Helps, But Passion Drives

Most sharks have degrees, but their passion and curiosity are what truly made them successful. Your college education is important, but what you do beyond books defines your journey. Degree with passion builds companies. 

Confidence is Built, Not Born

None of them were born with the confidence you see on screen. They built it—by stepping out, failing, speaking up, trying again. You can too.

You Don’t Need to Be on TV to Be a Shark! You don’t need a TV show, a big investor, or a fancy office. You need:

An idea that solves a problem

Passion to work on it daily

Patience to grow it slowly

Belief that you can make it happen

So go ahead. Trust yourself. The future belongs to storytellers, creators, and dreamers—like you.

Story telling is the future in every walk of life! Be a storyteller and the world will revolve around you.You may be a student,a beginner,a dreamer.You hold within you the power to move hearts,open minds and inspire others with your words,with your art of storytelling.Your Voice Can Change the World

You live in a time when a student’s voice can reach millions. Your video can break stereotypes. Your podcast can comfort a stranger. Your reel can spark a movement. Your article can motivate others to achieve ,to live their dreams.

That’s no small power. So stand tall. Hold your phone, your pen, your camera. Look at the world with open eyes and a full heart.

Because the future is not just technology. The future is storytelling. And that future… starts with you.Storytelling is no longer limited to books or newsrooms. It’s in memes, podcasts, street plays, documentaries, tweets, and TikToks. It’s on your phone, in your words, in your thoughts.

Wherever there is a message and a heart, there is a story.

Today’s storytellers are everywhere:

A photographer freezing a powerful moment in time.

A YouTuber sharing unscripted, raw truths.

A reporter covering a protest.

A student making a short film on climate change.

An Instagram creator speaking about body positivity.

You don’t have to change the world all at once. Change one life. That’s where revolutions begin.

Your First Story Can Be the Start of a Movement.

Maybe it’s a blog about exam pressure.

A video about your mother's daily strength.

A poem about your city’s pollution.

A sketch about body image.

A reel about kindness.

From Listeners to Storytellers: Your Journey Starts Now-We are all born listeners,listening to our parents' tales, bedtime stories, classroom anecdotes, or folk legends.

But at some point, you cross over. You stop just listening. You begin creating.That moment when you write your first blog, shoot your first video, write your first news piece, or speak your truth online,is magical. It’s not about perfection. It’s about believing in your own voice.You don’t need to be famous or fluent. You just need to be honest.

Where Can You Use Storytelling in Life?

Storytelling is not just for media jobs. It is a life skill. Here's where it shines:

In Interviews: Your journey, struggles, and dreams,shared as a story,leave lasting impressions.

In Startups: Investors and customers invest in stories, not just products.They look for people who can pitch their stories.

In Classrooms: A teacher who tells stories connects better than one who just gives facts.

In Leadership: Great leaders inspire not with orders, but with stories that move people.

This is why-Brands hire content creators.

NGOs want storytellers to raise awareness.

Schools need creative educators.

Newsrooms seek multimedia journalists.

A single heartfelt story can raise awareness of more than a hundred statistics.No matter what field you enter,your storytelling can become your superpower.

Don’t underestimate it. One honest story can ripple through lives.Movements begin not with big speeches, but with small truths courageously told.

 Tools Are Optional.Passion Is Not-Many think they can’t start because they don’t have DSLR cameras, fancy software, or studio setups.But the best storytellers don’t wait for tools. They start with what they have.

A phone camera,Free editing apps,Your words,Your heart.

Don’t wait to become great. Start to become great.Yes, you will be scared.Yes, people may laugh or ignore.Yes, not every post will get likes.

But remember: even the best storytellers faced rejection.Your voice matters. Keep going.

Storytelling Is the Language of the Future-In the digital era, attention is everything. People don’t buy services or facts,they buy emotions, narratives, experiences.

This is why-Brands hire content creators.

NGOs want storytellers to raise awareness.

Schools need creative educators.

Newsrooms seek multimedia journalists.

Startups look for people who can pitch their stories.

If you master storytelling, you’ll never be out of demand.

How to Sharpen Your Storytelling Skills-Observe, Watch people, nature, silence. Every moment is a story.Write or Record Daily: Journal, vlog, tweet,just keep expressing.Read and Watch Good Stories, Learn from films, books, real-life heroes.

Get Feedback: Show your work to friends or mentors.

Be Honest: Don’t copy. Don’t pretend. Be you. Even imperfect truths move people.

Emotion- Make your audience feel-laugh, cry, smile, think.

Relevance- Speak to something the world is facing.

Hope- Even in sadness, offer a light.

Your story becomes unforgettable when it feels real.

A Message to Every Aspiring Student Storyteller

You don’t need to be fluent in English.

You don’t need to have a million followers.

You don’t need anyone’s permission.

You just need the courage to begin.

Maybe your story won’t go viral. Maybe it will.But even if it changes one life-even your own,that’s enough.You are a creator. A voice. A dreamer. A believer.You are a storyteller of tomorrow.

Are you interested in making journalism your profession in India? If this is your background, you’re choosing a field that’s growing fast and plays a bigger role than ever before. A recent study appearing in the Cogent Social Sciences journal (2025) offers new insights into the issues and opportunities that Indian journalism students encounter right now.

Indian journalism has always reflected how the nation is changing, but the last ten years brought the greatest shift in its history. The history of Indian journalism is filled with reinvention, starting from old printing presses and today’s always-on digital newsrooms and the rising impact of what many label the “Fifth Estate” is at its heart.

Transformation of Journalism in India

While Indian journalism started hundreds of years ago, major changes began with the arrival of the digital era. Once the internet and smartphones became common, people turned away from morning newspapers and nightly news bulletins. Currently, India relies on digital media, with websites, smartphone apps and social networks delivering the latest stories to many people. The change brought on by the Internet means news is faster, more accessible, interactive and easier to get than before.

Citizen Journalism Became the Fifth Estate

One of the most remarkable things about it is that ordinary individuals now have more influence. Now, reporters, instant news sharing and comments are possible for everyone due to smartphones and social media. You often hear this event called the rise of the Fifth Estate which is more than the traditional Fourth Estate. The Fifth Estate is the public voice of citizen journalists, bloggers, influencers and digital activists who regularly work to review, debate and sometimes alter the mainstream’s news stories.

As a result of this accountability, journalism has become more democratic and spreads farther from the center. Topics that use to have little coverage now have a place on the internet such as local authorities, corruption, social justice and human rights. Besides watching the government, the Fifth Estate works to keep media organizations honest by calling for transparency and correct reporting.

Digital transformation has gone further than just being about smartphones and social media. Artificial intelligence is transforming the field of journalism in India by making news summaries automated, helping to battle misinformation and letting people read content in their own languages. Many newsrooms now rely on AI for both checking facts and understanding readers, helping them provide the news more quickly and correctly. On the other hand, there are problems related to this path like, bias, maintaining job security and the trustworthiness of AI-generated information are big topics right now.

“For the next generation of journalists, the message is clear: embrace the digital, uphold the truth, and be ready to shape the future of news in India.”

Problems and Opportunities

Although digital media gives everyone access to news, it has created some issues. Untrue stories, rush to publish and searching for attention sometimes put journalistic values at risk. Still, the pressures of this environment have led to new ideas. Large news organizations such as The Times of India are introducing data-driven material, stories told with different forms of media and interactive features to draw in younger readers.

For anyone starting out in journalism, this change means both excitement and new challenges. Now, journalists must know about digital tools, create multimedia content, analyze information and act morally. Thanks to the Fifth Estate, your voice is important, whether you work in media or share news from your phone.

Journalism for New Aspirants 

According to the experts, those interested in journalism should move past simple reporting. It’s important to acknowledge that journalists are responsible for penning articles, verifying information, making and distributing content and managing social strategies. This demands journalism education to adjust to these changes, and that students should apply to programs that involve working with digital tools, multimedia productions and hands-on investigating.

Which Skills Are Required of Indian Journalism Students?

Skills that journalism students in India should possess today are as follows:

1. Digital Literacy: You must know how to use digital platforms, analyze data and use multimedia tools.
2. Critical Thinking: It is important to examine, confirm and challenge all the words and facts we hear, for which critical thinking is necessary.
3. Storytelling: Any type of story, long or short, a journalist must know the art of delivering it aptly that can draw their audience in.
4. Ethics and Integrity: Because fake news is increasing, it is important for Indian journalists to meet the highest ethical standards.
5. Adaptability: Things in the media can change very fast. You need to welcome the latest developments in formats, technologies and platforms for which staying adaptable is necessary.

Nowadays, simply having a degree in journalism isn’t sufficient. Graduates should impress employers by knowing how to use the latest technology, working unaided and making sure the stories they write are strong and unbiased. The research titled “Transformation of Journalism in India and the rise of the Fifth Estate: a critical appraisal by Sunil Belladi”  also advises Indian universities and colleges are to update their programs by adding practical learning and exposure to newsroom challenges. It is important for students to join programs that arrange for internships, workshops and the chance to build their portfolios in print, broadcast and digital media.

Career paths available

Despite the difficulties, there are many chances in the world of Indian journalism. Choose from top newspaper jobs, roles on TV, starting your own business, being a solo news content creator, or starting a YouTube channel for broadcasting news. After some deep research done by our team, it was proved that local journalism is particularly in-demand because many Indians prefer news in their local languages and from people familiar with local news.

To conclude, journalism in India is still in the process of evolving. As technology develops and the fifth estate's power increases, journalism will keep supporting accountability, democracy and social progress. Anyone hoping to join the world of journalism must accept digital tools, distinguish between fact and fiction and be prepared to transform news in India.

Because the media field is evolving due to digitalisation, there will be greater demand for ethical, skilled and flexible journalists. Do you have the desire to join them? If yes, consult our counsellors for free and become a journalist in India. Connect with us now: https://gmcet.org/ or 08035018499