Year that changed my life.

I am sure TSJ has come a long way since I passed out of the institution, but as far as my experience is concerned I have no complains, rather I credit much of my professional standings to TSJ.

It was TSJ's own entrance examination, I really don't remember my score but why I opted for the course was the sheer diverse backgrounds of my fellow batch mates. Also we were only 19, so first thing that came to my mind was it is going to be one fun ride.

Coming from India's biggest media house it was designed according to the need of the colossal organisation Times Group is. We had industry experts who let us express ourselves rather forcing us to follow a set pattern. The best part of the course curriculum is the 6 month paid internship, that in no way looks like internship for I still remember during my internship with Times Now, I felt as if I am a full time General Reporter covering lengths and breaths of Maximum City.

Yes the six month internship was the best part of the course curriculum. It was paid internship hence living in a new city was much easier. The internship is designed in a way that you end up working as a full time employee and one gets enough opportunities to showcase one's talent. I was honoured to be a part of the launch team of Times Now under Mr. Arnab Goswami and that was the best time of my professional life.

I will again say best in the media industry. You have a wide range of job opportunities available under the flagship Times brand and there are no restrictions (if there are seats available) The job security and the opportunity to start your career with the Times Group is the best part of getting into TSJ.

Well we were part of the second batch of TSJ post its revival when it was in its nae-scant stage, hence we did not have any such festival. Am sure now after so many years the school has its own cultural vibrancy as it attracts students from best of the colleges.

I don't think the fees was too high and it made up with paid internship which we got in the second half of our course. There were no hidden expenses as well, so I think if I look back for 2005-06 the fee structure was quite affordable. Am not aware of the new fee structure but am sure the course design is such that it focuses on talent rather than profit making entity.

Not in our times the paid internship was quite helpful for most of us were placed outside New Delhi. The fee structure anyway was not on higher side.

We were 8 boys and 11 girls in the batch, the diverse backgrounds each students came from added to the entire experience. The fact there is no restriction on who can apply for the course is the best part. When there are students from diverse backgrounds, the debates, the exchange is intellectually stimulating and each day is a learning experience.

There were no hostels in our time, there was this mess we had that was for the Times employee working in the same building and the food there was affordable and good. I have not been to TSJ in recent years so am not aware of the changes that have come in but given TOI's flamboyance am sure it would be more exciting now to be in TSJ.

Oh they are the best group one can find, not only our seniors but the students who followed are great bunch always there for each other. I cherish every single day I spent in TSJ. We are a close knit family still connected after so many years. You have to be there to feel what it is like to be part of a vibrant, intellectual and cool group.

The final written exam was post 6 month of in house training followed by 6 months internship and the cumulative marking gives the final standings. The exams too are broadly categorized under all mass mediums and you have to clear all of them to be considered for internship and for final placements.

Well there was this written examination followed by personal interview. Seats were limited hence the anxiety was there, I still remember my interview, I had no prior experience of writing and background but the interviewers made me comfortable, if I look back now I guess their focus was on picking candidates who were willing to learn and unlearn.

Whatever I am or my fellow batch mates are today, I can say the contribution of our revered faculty can;'t be overlooked. Under the guidance of Late Sunny Thomas Sir, we were always on our toes, Somnath Sir, Gautam Sir, Rachna Burman Mam, Rajesh Ratan Sir to name a few allowed us to explore parts of ourselves which we barely knew existed. Even during the internship the experienced members not for a second made us feel like we are newcomers but gave us work meant for experienced members of the team and that gave us the confidence.