Mysore/Mysuru: The third edition of SparkBuzz, the annual Inter-Collegiate Media Fest, was organised by the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Christ College, Mysuru, recently.

Professor and retired Chairman, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Mangalore University, Dr. G.P. Shivram, Padma Shri Awardees K.V. Sampath Kumar and Jayalakshmi, Principal, Christ College, Rev. Fr. Biju, were the guests of honour.

“Media, especially mass media, should have a coordinated approach,” proclaimed Dr. Shivram, in his keynote address. 

Speaking after inaugurating the event, he noted the rise in citizen journalism at the time of disasters and praised the efforts of alert citizens. He also furthered to acknowledge the influential role social media plays in today’s world. 

While Dr. Shivram emphasised the invaluable role media plays at such dire times, he also shone light on the shortcomings of today’s current media and substantiated on how to improve the situation in the coming days.

Padma Shri awardees, K.V. Sampath Kumar and Jayalakshmi, Editors of the world’s sole Sanskrit Daily, Sudharma, were felicitated on the occasion. 

Rev. Fr. Biju, Principal, Christ College, Mysuru, in his Presidential address, opined that journalism reflects the true temperament of society’s mind, progress and disasters. 

Kristos, the monthly newsletter of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, was released on the occasion. The Department of Science also unveiled the promotion video for their upcoming fest, Christ-tech.

With a wide array of events, from report writing to panel discussion, an RJ hunt to spot choreography and mad ads, SparkBuzz-2020 not only catered to the diverse interests of students but also stood as a true testament to the dynamicity and multitudinal facets of the media field itself. 

Open to all UG and PG students, the Fest saw participation of around 180 students from more than 15 colleges from in and around Mysuru.

The students of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism Department won the Overall Championship.