ASEAN JOURNALISTS EXPLORE INDIA'S RICH HERITAGE AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN ASEAN-INDIA MEDIA EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The 5th ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme 2024, which brought together 13 journalists from ASEAN member countries, concluded successfully on Dec 4 after a week-long exploration of two of India's most vibrant cities - New Delhi and Mumbai.

The participating journalists, representing Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, embarked on their first-ever visit to India. Over seven days, they immersed themselves in the country’s rich and diverse culture, forging meaningful interactions with locals and experiencing the true essence of India.

One of the programme's highlights was a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, where the journalists marvelled at the iconic Indo-Islamic architecture of the monument, which left a lasting impression on the participants.

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In Mumbai, the delegation explored the Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island, home to ancient Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites provided an unforgettable glimpse into India’s spiritual and cultural history.

The group also visited one of India’s largest film studio complexes, The Mumbai Film City, or Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, established in 1977, where they were introduced to behind-the-scenes workings of India's thriving film industry, which has a global impact.

The journalists further explored key developments shaping India's modern economy, such as the Mazagaon Dock Port, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees the country’s retail payment systems.

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One participating journalist, Karl Pineda Cordova of the Philippines, described the visit as eye-opening and enriching.

“This experience has allowed me to see India in a way I couldn't through social media. It’s been wonderful to immerse myself in the culture and learn more about this incredible country,” he told Bernama.

Nguyen Thi Thu Hien from Vietnam shared her excitement, stating that the programme allowed her to explore India’s diverse culture and engage with her ASEAN colleagues.

“It’s my first time here, and I find India to be a fascinating country. I also enjoyed meeting fellow journalists from ASEAN nations like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The outdoor activities and the chance to forge friendships with ASEAN peers made this experience truly memorable,” said the editor from the Voice of Vietnam.

Indonesian participant Taofiq Rauf echoed these sentiments, praising the programme for fostering cross-cultural dialogue and knowledge sharing.

"I feel that this programme has been beneficial because we can exchange experiences and see firsthand what is considered a source of pride in India. The second benefit is that we can interact with journalists from Southeast Asia, which has been a valuable experience for us, as we can learn about the governance of public communication in each country. This will enable us to collaborate should the opportunity arise," he said.

Organised annually by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the exchange aims to strengthen media cooperation, promote multilateral dialogue and build regional capacity through knowledge sharing. It also fosters greater mutual understanding between ASEAN and Indian media representatives.

The ASEAN-India relationship, which dates back to 1992, was elevated with the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2022, marking a new chapter in India-ASEAN regional bilateral ties.

-- BERNAMA