Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Govt. College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar organised an industrial exposure visit to the Srinagar bureau of The Indian Express, one of India’s oldest and most reputed national newspapers, on May 22, 2025.
Students of PG Sem 3 and 2, and Integrated Sem 8 were part of the visiting team, accompanied by Head, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dr. Suhail Ahmad and Dr. Mudabbir Ahmad.
During their industrial visit, the students interacted with senior journalist and Special Correspondent of The Indian Express, Mr. Bashaarat Masood, and Srinagar correspondent of the national newspaper, The Tribune, Mr. Adil Akhzer.
Mr. Bashaarat has been covering Jammu and Kashmir for two decades. Mr. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012. He joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. Mr. Bashaarat started with the campus beat, covering University of Kashmir before handling the important beats of Politics and Security.
Mr. Bashaarat shared his inspiring journey of switching from computer applications to journalism, courtesy his stint at The Indian Express after a brief internship with UNI. He credited Mr. Muzamil Jaleel, the then bureau chief of Indian Express in Srinagar and now the Deputy Editor of the daily, for mentoring him and many other aspiring journalists from Kashmir.
The students were fascinated by Mr. Masood’s experiences and insights into the field. He shared some of the most impactful stories he worked on, highlighting the challenging situations he faced and how he overcame them.
Mr. Bashaarat also referred to the robust award-winning Investigative Unit of The Indian Express headed by veteran journalist, Ms. Ritu Sarin. He also referred to the work of noted Express investigative journalist, Mr. Shyamlal Yadav known for his RTI-based investigations.
The students also interacted with Mr. Adil Akhzer of The Tribune with a decade of journalistic experience. Earlier, he covered health and aviation beats in Chandigarh. Earlier, he worked with The Indian Express. Citing his experience of working outside Kashmir, Mr. Adil said the broader scope of working in places like Chandigarh sharpens the journalistic skills.
The visit provided the students with an opportunity to learn from seasoned journalists and gain practical insights into the world of journalism. The interaction with Mr. Bashaarat and Mr. Adil not only inspired the students but also gave them a deeper understanding of the profession.
The Indian Express Srinagar bureau’s warm hospitality and willingness to share knowledge and experiences with the next generation of journalists were greatly appreciated by the students and their faculty.
