Kavita Suri

Kavita Suri has Nine years professional experience in journalism in both print  (with both National and Local English newspapers) and electronic media.

PRINT MEDIA

* Working since June 1998 as the Staff Correspondent, Jammu and Kashmir for one of the oldest national newspapers of India –The Statesman. Was taken into the Wage Board by the organization in August 2001 and made staff correspondent in J&K. Covering entire state, travels to the Line of Control, International Border, and other conflict areas in all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh of the troubled state. Covered all the  important events in the troubled history of the state in these past four years right from the powerful car explosion in Residency Road Srinagar in which photojournalist Pradeep Bhatia, among many others was killed, the historic Hizbul Mujahideen cease-fire in July 2001, the deadly fidayeen (suicidal) attack on Jammu and Kashmir State Legislative Assembly in October 2001, (in fact was inside the complex when the suicidal bombers barged inside the building), assassination of senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Gani Lone followed by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s visit to Kashmir, and more recently Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. 

*  Worked as Assistant Editor for a fortnightly newsmagazine Avalanche, published from Chandigarh from December 1997 –June 1998. In the editorial capacity, wrote and edited a series of articles for the said magazine.

*Worked as reporter /senior sub-editor for The Kashmir Times, one of the oldest and largest circulated English dailies published from Jammu for four years (1994-1997). For these years, simultaneously worked as reporter covering the beats like militancy-human interest pieces, culture, tourism, university and media (radio and television) and also as senior sub-editor editing agency copies for the other pages of the newspaper, articles and press releases etc. Also brought out many Sunday magazines solely as incharge of Sunday pullout when the Sunday Magazine Editor used to be away on many occasions.

* From 1989-1994, wrote for another prestigious English newspaper Daily Excelsior  on various issues. 

* Worked for The Tribune published from Chandigarh on contractual basis for two years (1997-1999).

* Wrote new features for the prestigious newsmagazine Outlook published from New Delhi.

* Also wrote regularly for some time for magazine Communalism Combat published from Mumbai by Ms. Teesta Setalvad, human rights activist (http://www.sabrang.com/cc/comold/sep00/mino.htm)

* Worked as freelance journalist and contributed articles/write-ups for English and Hindi dailies of J&K like Dainik Kashmir Times (Hindi) and magazines like Kashmir Today and Yojna (English and Hindi Monthlies published by J&K Information Deptt.); The Golden World (Weekly from Pillibhit, UP) Daily Ujala, Jammu, Jammu Panorama magazine and J&K Dateline, a daily tabloid.

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

* Worked as Jammu Bureau Chief for the news magazine Wadi Ki Awaz telecast form DD metro (Channel II) on every Tuesday at 9 a.m. in 1998 - 99.Covered many news stories from the entire region for this programme.

* Anchored and directed weekly T.V. newsmagazine, "Reflections" telecast from Doordarshan Srinagar.

* Worked as Videographer (Hi 8) for Srinagar and Jammu Doordarshan.

* Participated and co-ordinated discussions and interviews on a variety of topics ranging from current affairs to women's issues on TV and radio. A couple of radio programmes have been broadcast in the prestigious National Programme of Talks, which is aired by all the 250 plus radio stations of the country simultaneously.

* Approved casual announcer for All India Radio Jammu and Commercial Broadcasting Service (Vividh Bharti), Jammu since 1992. 

* Approved compere for famous Political Programme Waadi Ki Awaz, broadcast from Radio Srinagar. 

*Approved drama artist of Doordarshan Kendra having acted in many Hindi and Kashmiri plays and serials.

* Worked as Assistant Director and Production Assistant in various serials, tele-films, telecast from DD-I and Srinagar Doordarshan.

* Produced a six episode commissioned documentary serial “Prominent Women of Kashmir” for Satellite Kashir Channel of Doordarshan in the year 2000.

*Having commissioned another five-episode documentary-drama by the Satellite Kashir Channel of Doordarshan recently which is still under production.

e-mail: shihulchinar@yahoo.co.uk, snowy132@rediffmail.com