Nagaland Church helps students taste new media

(July 21,2010) A Catholic college in Nagaland state has trained some of its students and local priests on the “new media” to help them discuss issues affecting north-eastern India. The training course at St. Joseph’s College, Jakhama, was meant for students and clergy, who plan to use new technology and strategies in their campaign to bring about social change. They were taught the basics of journalism, creating blogs, the uploading of photos and articles, and community journalism.
The Vice-Principal of the College - Fr. Abraham Lotha said the training aimed to help people launch and lead media campaigns and be responsible and positive citizens.
The mid-July training course in Guwahati, the business capital of northeastern India, was organized with technical support from Mahiti, an information technology firm that provides solutions through the use of free and open source software.
Father Jacob Pamei, Imphal archdiocese’s youth director, said new media is effective, especially in rural areas. “I’m going to use it because it is going to help connect with the youth in the area,” he said.
The region that spans seven states has been hotbed of conflicts and ethnic rivalry for more than four decades, leading to a standstill in developmental activities, increased unemployment and poverty.