The Kaleidoscope

 
     This article was published in a daily couple of years back in middle space. Expressing my feelings about Kaleidoscope in just 550 words is difficult but then that was the limit. I am publishing it as it is.  

 The Kaleidoscope

            It was around six years back I was appointed as the in charge of the student’s body of the department of electronics. It was an assignment I was  interested in and was  very much associated with it but not as an in charge. An excellent opportunity for me to try out couple of new ideas. One of such activities was our wall magazine aptly named as Kaleidoscope. The concept was to provide a platform for the students to express their views freely.

            One of the most popular columns was of messages directed towards specific groups or student but often they were difficult to decipher. The hidden obscenity or indecent comments, if there were any, never came to our knowledge. But as a matter of fact it attracted lot of enthusiasts.

           When I took over I had a meeting with the editorial team and presented my views and expectations. The discussion concentrated more on increasing the readership of the wall magazine. They were interested in increasing the columns like message box to increase the TRP, so can be called. My point was we had two options either we should concentrate on the quality and didn’t bother about the readership or think of readership only and compromise the quality. The discussion revolved around what students wanted and what was good for them. I insisted on the quality. Finally it was decided to drop those so called popular but mostly obscure columns. We had since then maintained the uncompromising approach on the quality of content. Of course most satisfying part was they were convinced that it’s better to change  the taste of reader for good rather than changing for the bad taste.

           We have always had good editors. Very much keen on leading the team to high quality issues . Setting and crossing high standards every year. No need to say in the wall magazine competition we often won prizes.  Year by year every team worked very hard forming an undefined Kaleidoscope-bond amongst them. I also used to go to every classroom encouraging them to contribute to the wall magazine, discussing the merits of developing the presentation skills.

           One day a girl came to me and said, "Sir, you talk of quality of articles and advice us not to think of readership. What I will get then if I contribute?" A genuine  question. Good article but poor readership. No applaud. No crowd with loads of appreciation. My answer was you would get nothing except the opportunity to express your views on a public platform. It was difficult for her to adjust to the idea of writing for nothing for our very objective of work is always getting something out of it.

            Then I explained to her even if few were likely to read the article, it would improve her writing and presentation skills. You would write for yourself not for others. Set high standards for you and be self-satisfied. Interestingly, she was convinced.

            All those who were part of Kaleidoscope team have a sense of attachment. Even after passing out, in any communication with me,the first question is always about Kaleidoscope. It is still put on the walls, displaying colourful patterns of life, still not read by many but the learning, satisfaction and the belongingness it has given us is the asset lifetime.