Srinagar, September 19: After a week of learning, travelling and experiencing the diverse facets of southern India, the 13-member media delegation from Jammu and Kashmir returned to Srinagar today, bringing to a close an extensive media exposure tour to Chennai and Puducherry organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar.
The tour, which commenced on September 13, provided journalists from Jammu and Kashmir an opportunity to go beyond routine reporting and witness, first-hand, the progress being made in the fields of science, technology, industry, infrastructure, tourism, culture and heritage.
The delegation comprised editors, correspondents, reporters and photojournalists from various media organisations of Jammu and Kashmir. The tour was conducted by Shahid Mohammad Lone, Field Publicity Officer, Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), while Ifham Ul Islam, Information Assistant, PIB Srinagar, accompanied and coordinated the delegation throughout the journey.
From the very beginning, the tour offered a varied experience. The delegation visited IIT Madras and its Research Park, where journalists were introduced to cutting-edge research, innovation, digital education and emerging technologies. Visits to specialised research facilities, including work related to brain mapping, quantum technologies, solar energy, materials science and lab-grown diamonds, offered an insight into the scientific ecosystem driving new-age research in the country.
The visit to Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Perambur, provided another important perspective. The delegation witnessed different stages of coach manufacturing and learnt about the technologies being used in modern trainsets, particularly the Vande Bharat trains. The briefing on coaches designed for Jammu and Kashmir was particularly significant, with officials explaining special features developed to meet cold, snowfall and fog-related conditions.
At Chennai Port, the delegation got a close look at one of the country’s important maritime gateways. The visit covered the port’s container operations, cruise terminal, vessel traffic management and other modern facilities. A boat ride further added a memorable dimension to the visit.
The tour also brought the journalists closer to the cultural and historical diversity of South India. Visits to DakshinaChitra, Mahabalipuram, Wallajah Mosque, Auroville and the Old Lighthouse in Puducherry, besides other important locations, offered an opportunity to understand the region’s architectural traditions, religious heritage and composite cultural character.
The delegation also visited coastal and tourism destinations, including Marina Beach and Kovalam Blue Flag Beach, where officials explained the measures being undertaken for cleanliness, water quality, visitor safety and sustainable tourism.
During the tour, the delegation also had the opportunity to interact with Dr. L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, as well as K. Kailashnathan, Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. Interactions with senior officials of various media units provided journalists an opportunity to discuss the changing media environment, government communication and the role of regional media in highlighting developmental stories.
For the participating journalists, the tour was not merely a journey from Kashmir to the South; it was an opportunity to observe development from close quarters and understand how stories of science, infrastructure, heritage, tourism and innovation can be brought to audiences through regional media.
The delegation members expressed their gratitude to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) for organising the exposure tour and for the arrangements, guidance and coordination throughout the journey. Special appreciation was also expressed to the accompanying officers, Shahid Lone and Ifham Ul Islam, whose cooperation and guidance remained an important part of the tour.
The journey, which combined professional learning with cultural interaction and memorable experiences, concluded with the delegation’s return to Srinagar on September 19.
