– by Krishnabi Dutta, BCJ, 3rd Semester
An interactive session with alumni, Ms. Sayonika Banerjee of BCJ ’24 batch was organized by the KIIT School of Mass Communication (KSMC) at Lecture Hall 5 of Campus 18. The session aimed to provide students with valuable insights into the media industry, and practical exposure after graduation. It also provided an opportunity for students to connect with their alma mater and learn from the journey of a young professional.
The session commenced with an opening address by Dr. Anurag Sahu, Assistant Professor, KSMC, who highlighted the importance of alumni talks stating that such sessions provide students with an opportunity to understand the changing media market, gain industry knowledge, and make real connections beyond the classroom. Dr. Sahu then introduced Ms. Sayonika Banerjee, who graduated from KSMC in 2024 and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Symbiosis University.
Following this, Dr. Rajeev Kumar Panda, Dean, KSFMS, KSFT, and KSMC, addressed the gathering. He thanked Dr. Anurag Sahu, Dr. Bidu Bhushan Dash, Head of KSMC, other faculty members, and the students for their presence. Welcoming the alumna, he spoke about the growing KSMC family and emphasized the importance of learning new things every day for the academic, personal, and professional development of students.
Dr. Panda also recalled his recent interaction with Sayonika, during which they discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence by students. He emphasized that the role of educators should not be to restrict the use of AI but to encourage students to use it meaningfully. He expressed his intention to incorporate such ideas into the learning environment for students of both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He appreciated the affordable quality education provided by the institution, and acknowledged the vision and initiative of the Honourable Founder, Dr. Achyuta Samanta. He highlighted the institution’s commitment to supporting student creativity and projects. Dr. Panda further spoke about Sayonika’s professional journey, including her association with Maddock Films, and thanked her for taking the time to return to her alma mater and share her insights with the students.
Dr. Bidu Bhushan Dash, Head, KSMC, then addressed the gathering. Sharing an experience from a previous programme, he reminded students about the importance of discipline, appropriate conduct, and basic manners in academic and professional environments. As students of mass communication, he emphasized the importance of understanding where and how to communicate appropriately. He also appreciated Sayonika as one of the youngest alumni to speak at the institution. Following the introductory addresses, Ms. Sayonika Banerjee was felicitated by the faculty members and invited to the podium to address the students.
Sayonika began her interaction by stating that she did not want to follow a conventional formal introduction. Instead, she presented a poem titled “Kintsugi,” inspired by the Japanese art of repairing broken objects and celebrating their imperfections rather than discarding them. Through the poem, she reflected upon various stages of her personal journey, including her struggles with identity, procrastination, rebellion, self-doubt, and the feeling of never quite fitting in. She spoke about how she had once been uncertain about the person she would become and how different she now feels from her earlier self.
She candidly discussed her emotional journey and explained that she once believed that sharing her weaknesses was itself a weakness. However, she allowed herself to become more emotionally expressive and self-aware. Throughout these changes, one element remained constant – her identity as an artist and her tendency to romanticize pain and suffering through art.
Describing herself as a complex person with many layers, Sayonika spoke of becoming more sensible, resilient, confident, and determined. She emphasized that she had never imagined becoming the person she is today but evolved through her experiences and is proud of her journey. She described herself as a fighter who has learned to transform her fears into her own version of “Kintsugi”- embracing imperfections, learning from them, and becoming stronger through them. She acknowledged still having much to achieve but expressed pride in how far she has come.
Sayonika then reflected on her college life and expressed the importance of assignments, meeting deadlines, punctuality, and discipline during her student years. She encouraged the present students to take these aspects seriously. She also stressed the importance of learning to work in a team, explaining that professional life would always put us in uncomfortable places. Thus, adapting to different personalities and working environments is an essential part of professional growth, particularly when one steps outside one’s comfort zone. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of attendance and attending classroom sessions. While online resources provide access to information, classroom learning offers a human experience and interaction cannot always be replicated through digital materials.
She showed students a glimpse of her work that involved working behind the camera. She described the experience as thrilling and said that working behind the camera comes with significant responsibility. She also spoke about her experience of working on a documentary related to Kishan Shakti, sharing that although the work was divided among team members, as someone who was new to these areas she took the initiative to learn editing and scripting. She challenged herself to understand unfamiliar tasks, decode difficult aspects of the work, and eventually acquire skills that she could use in the future. Through this experience, she encouraged students not to be afraid of challenges or unfamiliar responsibilities. She urged them to trust themselves and understand that difficult experiences can contribute significantly to personal and professional growth.
Sharing a personal account of her professional experience, she spoke about working as a Production Assistant and receiving tasks that were completely new to her. Rather than refusing unfamiliar responsibilities, she embraced the opportunities and enjoyed the process of learning. She encouraged students to remain open to new experiences, even when they initially feel uncomfortable, and emphasized the importance of participation, teamwork, coordination, adaptability, and the ability to modify plans according to changing circumstances, skills that are particularly important in the media industry. She also spoke about her experiences working with directors and gaining industry exposure.
Speaking about her experience with Maddock Films, she offered students an important lesson about maintaining composure in professional environments. She encouraged students to remain calm, avoid unnecessary conflicts, and invest their energy in meaningful work. Despite earning well, she recognized the importance of formal education and classroom learning as people working on professional sets may not always have the time or responsibility to teach beginners in depth.
One of the most thoughtful points she shared concerned the subjective nature of artistic interpretation. She spoke about the beauty of individual perspectives and emphasized that there is not always a single right or wrong interpretation of a work of art. During the session, she also presented her work titled “Kese Hum,” in which her creative contribution behind the lens was highlighted. She was credited as the Line Producer for the project.
The session concluded with an interactive exchange between Sayonika and the students, allowing them to engage with her experiences and seek guidance regarding their own academic and professional journeys.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Manisha Sahani, a third-year BCJ student, who expressed appreciation for Sayonika’s inspiring journey, creative vision, and the depth of her poem, while thanking all the dignitaries present.
