Journalism Students attend CNN-News18 Townhall Event
13-August-2025
XIC Journalism Students attend CNN-News18 Townhall on Mumbai’s Governance and BMC Elections
13-August-2025
By Sakshat Tornekar and Davina Bijlani
Students of Journalism and Media Convergence at Xavier Institute of Communication (XIC) in Mumbai had the opportunity to attend the CNN-News18 Townhall - Ballot, BMC, and the Battle for Mumbai, a lively forum where students heard directly from political leaders, cultural voices, and seasoned media professionals. Centered on Mumbai’s governance and the upcoming BMC elections, the event offered a compelling exchange of ideas and perspectives on the city’s future.
The discussion began with two contrasting political viewpoints. Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), addressed issues such as discrepancies in voter rolls, failures in governance, and the importance of maintaining the city's Marathi identity. On the other hand, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis underscored the achievements in infrastructure, including the coastal road, Sea Link, and Metro Line 3, while asserting, “Mumbai will remain Mumbai… why should we try to make it like Shanghai or Singapore? He expressed how Mumbai possesses its own character.”
The evening also featured valuable insights from filmmaker Mohit Suri, politician Nitesh Rane, activist Yogesh Kadam, author Meghna Pant, filmmaker Ashok Pandit, and writer Priyam Gandhi Modi, whose insights spanned politics, culture, and civic engagement. Each brought a unique lens, inspiring students to approach journalism with both curiosity and conviction.
Following the official sessions, students had a unique opportunity to meet Anand Narasimhan, Managing Editor, Special Projects & Senior Anchor at CNN-News18. During an engaging conversation, he spoke about the evolving newsroom, the influence of AI in journalism, and even shared some of his recent reads, encouraging students to cultivate a lifelong habit of reading for personal and professional growth. The evening ended with a networking dinner, leaving students enriched, inspired, and ready to tell stories that matter.