The 5th ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme 2024, which brought together 13 journalists from seven ASEAN countries, concluded successfully on Dec 4. The visit included a week-long exploration of two of India’s most vibrant cities – capital New Delhi and financial hub Mumbai – as well as a visit to Agra, known for its romantic symbol Taj Mahal.
Most of the participating journalists, representing Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines, were on their first visit to India. I have been to the south, but it was the first time I visited north India.
So, the journey was an adventure in itself. Over seven days, we immersed ourselves in the country’s rich and diverse culture, forging meaningful interactions with locals and experiencing the true essence of India.
At the heart of India’s democracy – in Delhi – we met and interacted with the respective secretaries of the Ministry of External affairs (MEA), Department of Commerce and the Department of Science and Technology.
I had read about the MEA’s Mr Jaideep Mazumdar, secretary (east), and Mr Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson. But meeting them in their office and asking them questions was an entirely new experience for me. It was heartening to hear that they hold ASEAN as a valuable trading partner.
The visit to Asian News International (ANI), one of the leading multimedia news organisations in India, and witnessing journalists working in a busy newsroom provided a shared perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the media industry in general.
We also went to the headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) located in Gurugram, near Delhi. A collaboration between India and France, ISA was formed in 2015 to mobilise efforts against climate change through the deployment of solar energy solutions.
It was heartening to hear first-hand from its director-general Ajay Mathur on how the alliance is looking up to the efforts of Singapore in spearheading solar energy transformation to generate electricity.
One of the programme’s highlights was a visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. As I approached the towering white marble mausoleum, my heart raced with a mix of anticipation and reverence. Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer scale and grandeur of the Taj, or the profound sense of wonder that overwhelmed me as I stepped into its serene gardens.
In Mumbai, we explored the Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island, which is home to ancient Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the caves provided an unforgettable sight into India’s spiritual and cultural history.
I also got a taste of Bollywood, as we visited one of India’s largest film studio complexes, The Mumbai Film City, or Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, established in 1977. There, we explored the behind-the-scenes workings of India’s flourishing film industry.
We further explored key developments shaping India’s modern economy, such as the BSE (formerly known as Bombay Stock Exchange), the Mazagaon Dock and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees the country’s retail payment systems.
NPCI handles more than 17 billion financial transactions monthly. It blew my mind how far India has come in terms of adopting real-time payments and cashless transactions. Indian banks are shutting down more ATMs despite record-high cash circulation. This trend is attributed to the rise of digital transactions and UPI payments.
The ASEAN-India Media Exchange Programme, organised annually by the MEA, aims to strengthen media cooperation, promote multi-faceted interaction and build capacity in the region through information sharing. It also fosters greater mutual understanding between Indian and ASEAN media personnel.
As an executive digital sub-editor at Tamil Murasu, I consider it a rare opportunity to have represented Singapore and participated in this meaningful trip.
