DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
JAMMU, Nov 27
Three media academicians Dr. Garima Gupta, Jammu University Dr. Vinit Kumar Jha Utpal, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and Dr. Ravia Gupta, Jammu University of UT of Jammu & Kashmir participated in the national level ‘Training for Trainers (TOT) Program for Media Professionals on The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019. These two days program was organised by National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India on 22nd and 23rd November, 2023.
National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) selected forty media academicians and practisers across the country among only twenty from outside Delhi-NCR. Dr. Garima, Dr, Vinit and Dr. Ravia of Jammu & Kashmir were among twenty media academicians, who were selected across India. In this programme the media academicians of Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra etc. also participated.
Dr. Garima Gupta, Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Jammu University said that it was a great learning and growth experience for the selected participants in this TOT program. Through this program, we understood the key concepts of the Transgender Community and interacted with the transgender community and gained a wide spectrum of knowledge about them. Dr. Vinit Kumar Jha Utpal, Coordinator, Digital Media Course, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Jammu told that the constitutional provision for the Rights of Transgender is very important for journalists and they must be aware about the Provisions of Transgender Act, 2019 & Rules 2020. He also described that the Jammu & Kashmir government has already notified the selection of transgenders and others in various state government jobs. Dr. Ravia Gupta, Lecture, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Jammu University explained that there is a need of intervention by the media to create awareness among the public on the issues related to education, health, livelihood aspects of Transgender Community.
Through this TOT program, the participants got information about the representation of Trans Community in Media and Role of Media Professional in implementation of Transgender Act, 2019. Ms. Deepika Kumar, National Coordinator, Alliance India, Ms. Reshma Prasad, Member, National Council for Transgender Persons, Ms. Amrita Sarkar, Alliance India, Ms. Rudrani Chhetri, Founder Director, Mitr Trust and Garima Greh gave lectures on various issues of Transgender. Dr. R. Giriraj, Director, Mr. Manoj Hatoj, Dy Director(T&B), Mr. Sanjay Pawar, Consultant and Mrs. Shweta of National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) were also present there.
