Ananya’s Interview

The following article is an interview with Ananya, the senior editor at Insight during the 2022-23 tenure, by the freshie feature panel of 2022-23. Dive into her journey and learn about her experience at Insight, with tons of learning to take away!

Ananya’s Interview

Meet Ananya, an exceptional individual with a diverse range of interests, talents, and hobbies. Recently, we got a chance to interview her and ask her about her journey as an editor at Insight. We prodded her with questions relating to how she found her passion for writing and decided to take an active part in journalism at the institute as an editor at Insight. Here’s what Ananya had to say to us about her journey so far.

When asked about the moment when she first felt connected to words and how she decided to join Insight, Ananya told us that during her school days, her interest in writing developed while tackling numerous writing assignments, igniting a passion that has stayed with her to date. Despite the extensive and gruelling curriculum of her ICSE school, it helped her gain clarity about her interests. Although she briefly considered a career in literature, her fascination with science led her to pursue engineering in the end. However, after joining the IIT Bombay, Ananya was determined to explore all the opportunities the college had to offer her that she had missed out on before. 

As a talented swimmer, she decided to pursue her passion for swimming and represented IIT Bombay in the aquatics Inter IIT competition, eventually becoming the institute’s aquatics secretary.

After an enriching three years filled with diverse experiences, she decided to reconnect with her passion for writing. This prompted her to join Insight, the student media body of IIT Bombay, where she once again delved into the world of creative expression and storytelling, a place where she could combine her passion for writing with her attitude to be the voice for others.

While discussing her unique approach to writing articles, Ananya shared her unconventional method of always starting with the conclusion, which allows her to shape the article’s direction effectively. She stressed the importance of a compelling introduction to engage readers and advocated for coherence and conciseness in the body of the article. To combat potential monotony, Ananya suggested injecting catchy elements at regular intervals to keep readers engaged. This helps decrease the heavy weight of the content for the readers.

When working in a large team, adjusting to new people can be challenging. But for Ananya, the environment at Insight was welcoming, and with her friends by her side, she swiftly became an integral part of the group. However, working in a group to publish an article posed its own challenges. While exchanging ideas can be beneficial, differences in writing styles and hesitations to contest senior members’ ideas may hinder the ideation process, which she believes should be addressed to foster effective brainstorming. It is important for everyone to feel comfortable enough to state what they think without feeling intimidated.

Ananya highlighted the time-consuming nature of writing long articles and emphasised the need for thorough primary and secondary research when working on a particular topic. In group collaborations, diverging opinions can create chaos, leading her to advocate for dividing the workload into parts and offering feedback to ensure a cohesive final piece.

When asked for her opinion on printed news vs. digital news, she believes that a balance between printed and online news is crucial, considering the widespread access to smartphones and the internet. While online news offers convenience and reduces paper waste, she acknowledged that a complete digital transition requires infrastructure and may exclude rural communities that cannot afford smartphones. Ananya expressed the emotional attachment people have to print newspapers and the unique experience of consuming physical media, be it books or newspapers.

When asked for some tips for aspiring journalists and editors in the institute, she said that she believes that the Insight experience adds value by teaching the art of asking the right questions, gathering accurate information, and handling sensitive issues with tact. Being an editor at Insight comes with the responsibility of shaping public opinion impartially, ensuring the information is conveyed clearly and comprehensively.

Beyond her editorial role, Ananya’s journey with Insight has transformed her personality and expanded her horizons, providing her with a diverse network of friends from various backgrounds. Her experiences have deepened her understanding of media and communication, empowering her to express her thoughts confidently. Her experience serves as a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and embracing new opportunities. As she paved the way for impactful journalism, Ananya’s journey will undoubtedly inspire others to follow their own paths with determination and dedication in the ever-evolving field of journalism in the institute among students who are passionate about the role.

This article was written as part of Insight’s Freshie Feature 2023 program.