Taj Majal and NISCORT

We arrived back in Delhi safely last night after a morning of sightseeing in Agra, visiting the incredible Taj Mahal at sunrise. My first view of it, misty in the early morning haze, made me think of the images of heaven in Revelation.

In New Delhi we are staying at NISCORT: the National Institute of Social Communications. The vision of NISCORT is "to serve as an effective communication think-tank and as a centre for advanced learning, training and research in matters related to the communication revolution, which is sweeping practically every aspect of the life of the people of India, and give to the mass media of the nation specific thrust, which will promote and uphold the cherished media values and morality." NISCORT is owned and run by the Catholic Bishos Conference of India.

Our fellow traveler, Dr. Frances Plude is the main speaker for today's presentations to journal

ism students on digital culture.

Tom gave a presentation on "Peace Journalism" which included creative discussion among the students about current conflicts in India and how they might practice Peace Journalism vs. War Journalism.

As an example of non-professional journalism and public media, one of Dr. Plude's topics for the day, I gave a presentation on blogs. I invited students to post on my blog so hopefully that will happen. They were so attentive and kind to us.

During the day, students took photos and ran camera as part of their training. Pictured is Fr. Thisai Gerry, an experienced producer who is attending NISCORT to receive a Masters in Broadcast Journalism. In the evening Gerry drove Tom and I, along with the student pictured behind him, to visit Swaminarayan Akshardham, an elaborate and huge new Hindu temple and educational/entertainment complex.