Kunal to take on Finland at FCP 2008

"Getting first hand exposure to a new culture, meeting colleagues from 17 other countries, learning more about the European Union and acquainting myself with the Finnish media", answers Kunal Majumder when asked about his expectations of the Foreign Correspondents' Programme  to be organised in Finland in August.

Kunal has been selected as the Indian participant in this year's FCP, a programme hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Each year, young journalists or students of journalism from 18 countries are invited for a month-long programme in Helsinki. This is the second year India features among the selected countries - reflecting the general trend of the changing image of India in the global consciousness.

The 23-year old Kunal is currently pursuing his M. A. in Convergent Journalism at the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre , Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. He is just about to finish the exams of the first year and is all praise about the programme. "It's very modern and comprehensive. The programme covers all sides of journalism - from print to TV, radio, online journalism and photography." Kunal's first love is print media but during the second year of his studies, he intends to focus on radio. "A good radio journalist also has to be a good writer". The exclusive master's programme has been developed in close co-operation with the BBC and features lecturers from different parts of the world.

Kunal first came in touch with Finland in 2006 through an EU-funded programme called "Electra" which brought together his university Jamia Millia, the University of Manchester in the UK, and the University of Joensuu in Finland. Electra is an online programme on intercultural education. "Before the course, I didn't even know what the capital of Finland was. After it, I was well informed, amongst other things, about Finland's political system, her common history with Sweden, and the role of nuclear energy in Finland." But pronouncing Finnish names still appears difficult even for Kunal - and it is for this reason that he warmly welcomes the "introduction to the Finnish language" that has been nicely placed at the beginning of the FCP course programme.

An avid reader and a movie buff (as all Bengalis seem to be), Kunal also looks forward to learning more about the Finnish educational system and its interaction with the rest of the society. Also, Finland's approaches in the field of energy policy interest him a great deal. "And the quality of politics - it seems to be exceptionally transparent."

Focusing on fashion and business journalism, Kunal represents the new India. He talks passionately about the changing role and image of India in the world. "Earlier, Indians would look at the West very idealistically. But now, globalisation has changed the world, and exchanges should go both ways - we can all learn from each other." Kunal has worked already two years for a leading fashion magazine called IMAGES Business of Fashion  and is also currently freelancing with them. He has also taught fashion journalism at the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi.

Kunal started his schooling and got his first touch of Western education at the Jesuit-run De Nobili School in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. And a few years ago, he joined a university which gave him an in-depth introduction to Islam. The world is open for this young Indian, but he feels strongly attached to his roots in Jharkhand. Kunal wishes to be able to contribute to the launch of a community radio in Dhanbad. Asked about his driving force in life he says: "I just take life as it comes." And yes, there is indeed still lots more to come.

Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen

Foreign Correspondents' Programme
AJK Mass Communication Research Centre
IMAGES Business of Fashion
De Nobili School