Ms. Sneha Bhattacharjee | Coordinator - IIMCAA Awards 2025

Dear IIMCians,

Ms. Sneha Bhattacharjee will be Coordinator for the IIMCAA Awards 2025.

Ms. Bhattacharjee is Associate Manager, Brand, Marketing & Communication, EY Global Delivery Services.


Thanks & Regards,
Deeksha Sakena
General Secretary

Earlier Announcements

Mr. Nitin Mantri | Convenor – IIMCAA Awards 2025

Connections & Awards to Reunite in 2025; Invite Only Meet in Delhi; Contribution Mandatory for Chapter Meets

Mr. Nitin Mantri | Convenor – IIMCAA Awards 2025

Dear IIMCians,

Mr. Nitin Mantri will be Convenor for the IIMCAA Awards 2025.

Mr. Mantri is Regional Executive Managing Director (APAC), WE, and Group CEO at Avian WE. He is a Former President of ICCO & PRCAI.

Thanks & Regards,
Deeksha Sakena
General Secretary

Connections & Awards to Reunite in 2025; Invite Only Meet in Delhi; Contribution Mandatory for Chapter Meets

Dear IIMCians,

The Central Committee met on 1st, 8th and 15h December at IIMC HQ, New Delhi. IIMCAA President Ms Simrat Gulati presided over these meetings that were attended by Former Presidents Mr Prasad Sanyal, Mr. Kalyan Ranjan, Executive President Ms. Gayatri Srivastava, IIMCAA Care Fund Chairman Mr Nitin Pradhan, Vice Presidents Mr Prabal Bhardwaj, Ms Puja Mishra, General Secretary Ms Deeksha Saksena, Treasurer Mr Animesh Biswas, Secretaries Ms Sneha Bhattacharjee, Mr Shankar Pandit, Maharashtra's GS Mr Krishna Phophle, CC Member Mr Ritesh Verma, Ms Vani Shukla, Former GS Mr Harshendra Verdhan, Lifetime Member Mr. Rajesh Parida and several other alumni.

Minutes of the Meeting

1. Connections 2025- CC has decided to reunite IIMCAA Awards with IIMCAA Connections in 2025. It has been decided that the inaugural meet in Delhi will be an invite only event while contributions by attending alumni will be made mandatory for all chapter meets. Further details on Connections & Awards will be issued separately.

2. Resignation of a Member- The CC reviewed the resignation of a member and it was decided that no further action is needed on it.


Thanks & Regards,
Deeksha Saksena
General Secretary

IIMCAA's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29th September, Sunday at 05.00 PM, Venue to be Confirmed

Dear IIMCians,

The Annual General Body Meeting of IIMC Alumni Association will take place on 29th September, Sunday at 05.00 PM in New Delhi. Venue will be intimated once confirmed.

This communication is in continuation to our email sent on 3rd September, detailing the decisions and recommendation of the central committee for consideration at the AGM. 

The Governing Council at its virtual meeting on 8th September has ratified the decisions and recommendations of the central committee, mostly by consensus and few by vote. Click the link to check the meeting photos.

Agenda for the AGM

1. Revision of Lifetime Membership Fee
2. Semantic Changes in the Constitution- National Council to be replaced with Governing Council
3. Revision of a clause 14.10 of Elections Rules for Chapters and Sub Chapters Committees
4. Commitment of minimum and maximum contribution to IIMCAA Care Fund
5. Any issue raised by the members present in the meeting.

Thanks & Regards,

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary

IIMCAA Awards Function Invite Only; Lifetime Membership Fee 20000 Proposed; AGM on 29 September

Dear IIMCians,

The Central Committee met on 1st September at IIMC HQ, New Delhi. IIMCAA President Ms. Simrat Gulati presided over the meeting that was attended by Former Presidents Mr. Kalyan Ranjan, Mr. Prasad Sanyal, IIMCAA Care Fund Chairman Mr. Nitin Pradhan, General Secretary Ms. Deeksha Saksena, Treasurer Mr. Animesh Biswas, Secretary Mr. Shankar Pandit, Communications Head Ms. Kanishka Tiwari, CC Member Mr. Ritesh Verma, Ms. Vani Shukla, Md. Ijaj Khan, Mr. Sachin Yadav and others.

The committee discussed various issues listed in the agenda and has made following decisions/ recommendations.

1. Annual General Meeting- The CC has decided to host the Annual General Meeting on 29th September. Agenda for the AGM were discussed as well and recommended to the Governing Council for discussion and approval before it is presented to the general body for adoption.

A. Lifetime Membership Fee- The CC has recommended to raise the Lifetime Membership Fee from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000. Fee hike is required since Annual Membership Fee was revised, after 11 years, from INR 500 to INR 1000 in 2023 while Lifetime Membership was left unchanged at INR 10,000.

B. Governing Council- The CC has recommended replacing the word "National Council" with "Governing Council" in the constitution. This is an old decision and in effect already. This is just a semantic change wherever "National Council" has been mentioned in the constitution.

C. Chapter and Sub Chapter Committee Elections- The CC has recommended inserting a sentence in Election Rules 14.10 that deals with elections of the Chapters and Sub Chapters. Revised rules shall read as;

14.10 Chapter/ Sub Chapter committees may frame their own election rules or go for an open election meeting to choose the office bearers when they feel the requirement or necessity to hold the elections. Such rules must not be in contravention of IIMCAA's Constitution.

2. IIMCAA Awards 2024- The CC has decided to keep the awards presentation ceremony of IIMCAA Awards 2024 an invite only event. CC has approved a list of invitees that includes guests, award winners, jury members, lifetime members, sponsors and central team members who are actively participating in meetings & activities only. 

Anyone beyond this list is free to avail invitation by paying INR 4012 (INR 3400+18% GST) at www.iimcaa.org by15th September 2024. Registration date will not be extended.

3. IIMCAA Care Fund- The CC decided to make a minimum annual contribution of INR 2,00,000 to IIMCAA Care Fund to carry out its activities. Maximum contribution shall be 10% of sponsorships.

Thanks & Regards,

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary

Mr. Unni Rajen Shanker | Auditor- IIMCAA Awards 2024

Dear IIMCians, 

Mr. Unni Rajen Shanker will be Auditor for the 8th IIMCAA Awards, 2024.

Mr. Shanker is Editor, The Indian Express.

Thanks & Regards, 

Deeksha Sakena

General Secretary

Related Notifications

Ms. Puja Mishra | Coordinator - IIMCAA Awards 2024

Mr. Vineet Handa | Convenor – IIMCAA Awards 2024

AGM Decisions – IIMCAA to Organise Connections and Awards Separately

Central Committee Accepts IIMCAA Awards Review Committee Recommendations

IIMCAA Awards 2024: Review Committee To Modify Categories, Criteria and Rules

IIMCAA Odisha Elections 2024 Schedules | 24 July- Nomination | 25 July- Voting | 26 July- Results

Dear IIMCians,

IIMCAA Care Fund Chairman Mr. Nitin Pradhan (1990-91 Batch) will be the Election Commissioner for IIMCAA Odisha Elections 2024. He will oversee the election process and handle the charge handover ceremony in Bhubaneswar.

IIMC Alumni Association, Odisha Elections 2024 will be conducted as per given rules and schedule. Only registered IIMCAA members, currently working in Odisha, can take part in the election process.

The elections will be conducted on a panel basis similar to the Central Committee elections. A group of registered members of IIMCAA, currently working in Odisha, may form a panel, clearly listing who will hold which post if elected. Panel must have minimum 10 and maximum15 nominees for the committee. Panel will be called by its president name. Example- Simrat Gulati Panel. 

A registered member of IIMCAA, currently working in Odisha, will be able to become part of a panel or vote for a panel. Membership list can be checked on IIMCAA website under Team- General Body. Here is the membership list link

A format of the Nomination form filed by the IIMCAA President Ms. Simrat Gulati for the Central Committee Elections 2023 is being shared separately on whatsapp group. All panels need to follow the format and send the nomination form to The Election Commissioner of IIMCAA Odisha Elections 2024 at alumni.iimc@gmail.com and mark the email to the presidential candidate of the panel in CC for records. Here is the sample link

Nomination by a panel comprising an alumni who is not a registered member of IIMCAA or not working in Odisha will be rejected. Kindly include names of registered members working in Odisha only. 

A voter needs to send his/ her vote at alumni.iimc@gmail.com and mark the email to the presidential candidate of the panel in CC for records. Ballot Paper is being shared in PDF on whatsapp group separately. Please download the ballot paper, fill the details correctly, sign, scan and send as required to IIMCAA and the President candidate. Here is the link to download the Ballot Paper 

IIMCAA Odisha Elections 2024 Schedule

23 July 2024- Election Notification

24 July 2024- Online Nomination- Timing 10.00 AM to 04.00 PM

24 July 2024- Announcement of Contesting Panels- 09.00 PM

25 July 2024- Online Voting- Timing 10.00 AM to 04.00 PM

26 July 2024- Online Results- 10.00 AM

27 July 2024- Charge hand over at Connections Bhubaneswar 2024 at Hotel New Marrion.

All the best to Team Odisha. 

Thanks & Regards,

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary

Odisha Chapter Committee Dissolved, Kishan Barai and Chidananda Jena Appointed Coordinators

Dear IIMCians,

Odisha Chapter hosted an urgent meeting on 15h June at the Press Club of Odisha in Bhubaneswar. Chapter President Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sahoo chaired the meeting that was attended by General Secretary Mr. Jyoti Prakash Mohapatra and others.

The meeting unanimously dissolved the Odisha Chapter Committee with immediate effect and recommended names of two coordinators to smoothly run the Odisha Chapter until a new team is elected.

IIMCAA President Ms. Simrat Gulati, based on the recommendations of the chapter, is appointing Mr. Kishan Barai (OJ, 2013-14, Dhenkanal) and Mr. Chidananda Jena (OJ, 2014-15, Dhenkanal) as coordinators of the Odisha Chapter.

Kishan and Chidananda shall work together to conduct an election of the chapter and organise Connections 2024 in Bhubaneswar as soon as possible.

IIMCAA's Eastern India Zonal Coordinator Mr. Jyoti Prakash Mohapatra will oversee the chapter affairs on behalf of the central team, until a chapter committee is in place.


Thanks & Regards,
Deeksha Saksena
General Secretary

IIMCAA Awards 2024 | 12 Categories | Open For All | Rules and Guidelines to Apply | Last Date- 20 July

Announcement

8th Annual IIMCAA Awards 2024 

The IIMC Alumni Association (IIMCAA) is pleased to announce that the entries for the 8th Annual IIMCAA Awards 2024 are now OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS.

Our commitment to recognising the outstanding achievements in various fields of mass communication and fostering connections among them remains steadfast. Hosting another round of these prestigious awards marks a significant milestone, and we are elated to have reached the IIMCAA Awards 2024.

IIMCAA AWARDS 2024 DETAILS

The IIMCAA Awards will honour the best professional work from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. Out of the 12 categories, 9 offer a cash prize along with a trophy and certificate, while the remaining 3 offer a trophy and certificate.

The shortlisting of entries and selection of winners will be conducted by an esteemed panel of jury members. We do not disclose the applicant's name except for winners.

The awards ceremony shall be held in September-October 2024, with the exact date and venue to be announced later.

IIMCAA AWARDS 2024 GUIDELINES- READ CAREFULLY

• No Entry Fee - There are no charges to submit your entries

• Submission Deadline - July 20, 2024. The deadline will not be extended

• Entry Submission Format - Entries must be submitted in PDF, JPEG, URL, or PPT format, with a maximum file size of 10 MB

• Essay Requirement for Journalism Entries- Reporting categories applicants must include a brief essay (max 300 words) summarizing and justifying their entry to claim the award

• Essay Requirement for Advertising, PR Entries- Ad and PR categories applicants must include a brief essay (max 300 words) summarizing and justifying their entry to claim the award and specifying his/ her role in the work

• Recommendation Letters - Recommendation letter from the Editor/ Reporting Manager is required for entries without a by-line/credit in reporting categories, and must for all these categories- Producer of the Year, PR Person of the Year, Ad Person of the Year

IIMCAA AWARDS 2024 RULES AND CRITERIA- READ CAREFULLY

1. Applicants must be Indian nationals, irrespective of their current location

2. Applicants must be eligible for applying to IIMCAA Awards 2024. The disqualification rules of award winners of previous years are as follows-

A. The winner of a cash award shall automatically cease to be eligible for the next two seasons of IIMCAA Awards (IIMCAA Awards 2022 and 2023 Winners shall not apply for 2024)

B. Three-time cash award winners shall cease to be eligible for the next three seasons of IIMCAA Awards (A winner who has won cash awards three times earlier, shall not apply for next three years from the year he/ she won third cash award)

3. Only ONE entry per applicant per year is allowed

4. Applicants have to submit an undertaking in the given format that is attached below. Please download and submit after filling in required details and signature

5. Entries must cover any one outstanding work/ designated series / campaign done between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, only, except for Agency of the Year categories

6. Entries must cover last year's work profile, campaigns and achievements of the applicant company for Agency of the Year categories

7. Work in all Indian languages will be considered without favour or prejudice, but the applicant should provide a suitable translation in English or Hindi to enable the judging process

8. IIMCAA Central Committee members are not eligible for the awards

9. Publishing categories encompass textual works published in newspapers, magazines, and news portals

10. Broadcasting categories encompass audio/video works produced for TV, radio, and other digital platforms

11. If the same work is entered from the clients and the agency's side by different entrants then the entry received first will be considered

12. The names of the organization of the winners, their designations, or their freelance status will be acknowledged on certificates and trophies for the IIMCAA Awards 2024

13. Should the jury find no suitable entry in any category, the award for that category may be omitted for the current year

14. The jury's decision is final and cannot be contested

15. The IIMC Alumni Association reserves the right to modify any rule or criteria at any stage if deemed necessary in the best interest of the awards

IIMCAA AWARDS 2024 CATEGORIES AND PRIZES

1. Journalist of the Year

Prize Money: INR 1,50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours exceptional journalistic work across any publishing, broadcast, or digital platform in English, Hindi, or any Indian language.

 

2. Agriculture Reporter of the Year

Prize Money: INR 1,00,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic contributions covering agricultural issues across any publishing, broadcast, or digital platform in English, Hindi, or any Indian language.

 

3. Reporter of the Year [Publishing]

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic text work in any form of publishing (Print & Digital) in English and Hindi.

 

4. Reporter of the Year [Broadcast]

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic audio and video work in any form of broadcast, including TV, Radio, and Digital, in English and Hindi.

 

5. Indian Language Reporter of the Year [Publishing]

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic text work in any form of publishing (Print & Digital) in any Indian language excluding English and Hindi.

 

6. Indian Language Reporter of the Year [Broadcast]

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic audio and video work in any form of broadcast, including TV, Radio, and Digital, in any Indian language excluding English and Hindi.

7. Producer of the Year [Broadcast]

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding journalistic audio and video production work in any form of broadcasting in any language prevalent in India.

 

8. PR Person of the Year

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding work in PR, image building, advocacy, and related areas, showcasing significant competence and achievement.

 

9. Ad Person of the Year

Prize Money: INR 50,000 (inclusive of taxes)

Description: Honours outstanding work demonstrating competence and achievement in the field of advertising.

 

10. PR Agency of the Year

Prize: Trophy and Certificate. No Cash Prize

Description: Honours outstanding work by a PR agency in the fields of PR, image building, advocacy, and related areas, showcasing significant competence and achievement.

 

11. Ad Agency of the Year

Prize: Trophy and Certificate. No Cash Prize

Description: Honours outstanding work by an advertising agency, demonstrating notable competence and achievement in the field.

 

12. Digital Agency of the Year

Prize: Trophy and Certificate. No Cash Prize

Description: Honours outstanding work by a digital agency, showcasing significant competence and achievement in the digital landscape.

For any queries, please email us at awards@iimcaa.in

Apply Online

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation in celebrating excellence in the field of mass communication.

Thanks & Regards, 

Vineet Handa

Convenor, IIMCAA Awards 2024

Afsan Chowdhury receives Ihsanul Karim Award for Media Excellence, IIMCAA Bangladesh Elects New Committee

IIMC Alumni Association, Bangladesh conferred the first Ihsanul Karim Award for Media Excellence to Mr. Afsan Chowdhury, Bangladesh's prominent liberation war researcher, columnist, Ekushey medalist and veteran journalist.  A cash prize of 1 Lakh Taka, crest and certificate were given as awards in a ceremony held at Dhaka Club on 11th May.

Bangladesh Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury attended the event as chief guest. Mr. Hossain said that Bangladesh India relations should not depend on which party is in power in the country. Bangladesh India relations should be a permanent bond based on mutual welfare. He said that the friendship between Bangladesh and India will last on the basis of constructive dialogue and cooperation to meet mutual challenges and develop regional prosperity.

National Press Club President Ms. Farida Yasmin MP spoke as the special guest on the occasion. Valiant freedom fighter and Former Managing Director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Mr. Azizul Islam Bhuiya presided over the event that was addressed by Editor of United News of Bangladesh Mr. Farid Hossain, General Secretary of the organization Mr. Zahid Newaz Khan and Central Committee Treasurer Mr. Animesh Biswas.

Prior to this, a new committee of 13 members was formed for the period 2024-26 of IIMC Alumni Association, Bangladesh with Mr. Farid Hossain as President and Ms. Angur Nahar Monty as General Secretary in the biennial general meeting.

IIMCAA, Bangladesh New Committee

President- Farid Hossain
Senior Vice President- M Rahmat Ali
Vice President- M Zahid Newaz Khan
General Secretary- Angur Nahar Monty
Organisation Secretary- Gani Adam Chowdhury
Treasurer- Naznin Akhter
International Relationship Secretary- Ranjen Sen
Executive Member- Azizul Islam Bhuiyan
Executive Member- Nazrul Islam
Executive Member- Dipankar Bar
Executive Member- Maruf Newaz
Executive Member- Mehedi Momen
Executive Member- Wares Hosen

- EoM

Ms. Puja Mishra | Coordinator - IIMCAA Awards 2024

Dear IIMCians, 

Ms. Puja Mishra, 2012-13 batch alumna (EJ, Dhenkanal), will be Coordinator for IIMCAA Awards 2024.

Ms. Mishra works in the Outreach & Corporate Communication department of ABP Network.

Thanks & Regards, 

Deeksha Sakena

General Secretary

Related Notifications

Mr. Vineet Handa | Convenor – IIMCAA Awards 2024

AGM Decisions – IIMCAA to Organise Connections and Awards Separately

Central Committee Accepts IIMCAA Awards Review Committee Recommendations

IIMCAA Awards 2024: Review Committee To Modify Categories, Criteria and Rules

Invite & Advisory - Connections 2024 on 25 February at IIMC HQ, New Delhi

NOTE: If you are planning to attend the Connections Meet in Delhi, please read this email carefully and follow the advisory to avoid any inconvenience.

Dear IIMCians,

The IIMC Alumni Association cordially invites you to attend its 12th Global Meet - Connections 2024 on 25th February, Sunday, at the IIMC HQ in New Delhi, starting at 4.00 PM. Connections, our series of annual gatherings held in various cities in India and abroad, will be inaugurated in Delhi this Sunday.

The Delhi Meet is exclusively open to IIMCAA members who have either taken lifetime/ annual membership or renewed their membership after 1st April 2023. If you are not yet an IIMCAA member, we encourage you to visit our website and sign up for an annual or lifetime membership. For those who enrolled a few years ago, it is now time to renew your membership. Guests and students are not required to pay to register. Membership Link- https://iimcaa.org/iimcaa-membership/

Alternatively, you may register on-site on 25th February to enter the meet venue. The on-site registration fee is ₹1500 (inclusive of taxes), and registration counters will be set up outside the IIMC gate.

Inside the venue, registration counters will provide coupons for the lucky draw and dinner, along with a token gift, to registered members, students and guests only. Please note that the lucky draw counters will close at 4:30 PM. We advise arriving early to complete your registration before the closure.

Advisory for Attending Connections 2024 in Delhi:

No Smoking/ No Drinking: IIMC campus is a prohibited zone for smoking and liquor consumption. All participants shall adhere to this order. Violation can lead to expulsion from the event venue.

Entry: Please cooperate with the security arrangements at the gate. Security staff will have separate lists for Lifetime Members, Annual Members (who paid after 1 April 2023), Guests, Sponsors, etc. Kindly provide your membership number and show a photo ID for entry. The members' list will be finally updated on 24th February for the event.

Search your membership number here using control find option- https://iimcaa.org/team/general-body/

Parking: Due to ongoing construction works at IIMC, no parking is available for members/ guests. We advise using public transport such as the Metro, auto-rickshaws, or taxis to reach IIMC and for your return journey.

Lucky Draw: You will receive lucky draw coupons at the registration counters, which are designated for Lifetime Members, Annual Members, Sponsors, Guests, Silver Jubilee Alumni Batch, and current batch students. Please fill out and submit your coupons at the counter before 4:30 PM.

The first lucky draw will take place at approximately 4:45 PM, with surprise draws continuing until 8:00 PM. Winners' names will be called three times; if the winner is not present on stage by the third call, the prize will be forfeited, and the coupon will be discarded for subsequent draws.

Family: Attendees may bring their spouse, parents, or children only. Friends, colleagues, and distant relatives are strictly prohibited.

Dinner: Each member, student, and guest will receive one dinner coupon. If you are accompanied by parents, a spouse, or children above 12 years of age, please purchase additional coupons for each at ₹500 per person, including tax. Entry to the dinner area will be granted only with a valid food coupon.

For further inquiries, please send a WhatsApp message to IIMCAA at 9560016061. Please note that calls to this number will not be answered.

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at Connections 2024.


Warm regards,
Deeksha Saksena
General Secretary

IIMC Alumni Association

Dr. Jyoti Kumar | Convenor- Global Meet, Connections 2024

Dear IIMCians, 

Dr Jyoti Kumar, 1995-96 Batch Alumni (AD & PR, New Delhi), will be Convenor for Global Meet of Annual Alumni Meet- Connections 2024. 

Dr. Kumar is Head of Corporate Communications at GAIL (India) Limited.

Thanks & Regards, 

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary

Important Older Posts

Gayatribala Panda | Editor- Souvenir, Connections 2024

Ms. Mona Parthsarathi | Coordinator- Jubilee Batch Celebrations, Connections 2024 | 1973-74 & 1998-99 Batch

Sh. Sushil Singh | Principal Organiser- Connections 2024

90 Lakhs INR Required for Connections 2024, Registration Mandatory to Attend Delhi Meet

IIMCAA to Organise Connections and Awards Separately | Scholarships on Hold | Membership Fee Hiked

Gayatribala Panda | Editor- Souvenir, Connections 2024

Dear IIMCians,

Ms. Gayatribala Panda (2001-02 Batch | Odia Journalism, Dhenkanal) will be the Editor of Souvenir Book of Annual Alumni Meet- Connections 2024.

Ms. Panda, a recipient of Sahitya Akademi Award, was chosen Alumni of The Year in 2023.

Thanks & Regards,

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary

Important Older Posts

Ms. Mona Parthsarathi | Coordinator- Jubilee Batch Celebrations, Connections 2024 | 1973-74 & 1998-99 Batch

Sh. Sushil Singh | Principal Organiser- Connections 2024

90 Lakhs INR Required for Connections 2024, Registration Mandatory to Attend Delhi Meet

IIMCAA to Organise Connections and Awards Separately | Scholarships on Hold | Membership Fee Hiked

AGM Decisions - IIMCAA to Organise Connections and Awards Separately | Scholarships on Hold | Membership Fee Hiked

Dear IIMCians, 

The Annual General Body Meeting of IIMC Alumni Association was convened at IIMC HQ, New Delhi on 29th October, 2023. IIMCAA President Mr. Kalyan Ranjan presided over the meeting which was attended by President Elect Ms. Simrat Gulati, Former Principal DG of PIB & DG of IIMC Mr. KS Dhatwalia and other alumni. It discussed various issues listed in the agenda and has decided as follows.

Minutes of the Meeting:-

Agenda 01. IIMCAA Awards Review: The General Body discussed the recommendations of the IIMCAA Awards Review Committee for adoption, which were approved by the central committee on 1st October and the governing council on 8th October. Recommendations were read out to the members and suggestions were invited.

Mr. Mehraj Dube presented two suggestions.

a. A few categories of IIMCAA Awards should be reserved for IIMCians only

b. Do not put any restrictions on eligibility to apply for a winner of cash award. 

The General Body deliberated recommendations and suggestions at length. It unanimously adopted the recommendations without any change. Here is the text.

*Recommendations of IIMCAA Awards Review Committee Meetings*

The following is a summation of the points on which consensus was achieved through discussions we have had on 27th August and 3rd, 10th and 30th September, 2023:

1. IIMCAA shall organise Connections and Awards separately.

2. The IIMCAA Awards shall be made open to all practitioners in their respective fields across the industry, and not be limited to IIMC alumni. This will help the IIMCAA Awards grow in stature and strive towards attaining a truly national footprint.

3. The fundamental objective being to expand the ambit from a smaller pool of contenders to a more representative one spanning the industry, rules shall be framed that define eligibility.

The two primary rules are as under:

A. The winner of a cash award shall automatically cease to be eligible for the next two seasons of IIMCAA Awards.

B. Three-time cash award winners shall cease to be eligible for the next three seasons of IIMCAA Awards.

The above two clauses shall come into operation immediately, with retrospective effect from the IIMCAA Awards 2023. That is, a cash award winner from 2023 will not be in contention for another cash award through the years 2024-25 and shall regain eligibility only in 2026. Similarly, an applicant who won his or her third cash award in 2023 will be eligible to apply for a cash award next in 2027.

4. Honorary awards, mentions and other such forms of recognition accorded to industry personnel, alumni or IIMCAA chapters - which will continue to be decided by the central committee - shall be given under the umbrella of 'Connections Awards'. These will be delinked from the IIMCAA Awards event and will be given at the Connections event.

5. The main awards, which are decided by a jury and carry a cash reward, have been restructured into nine categories* as stated below:

A. Journalist of the Year

B. Reporter of the Year, Publishing

C. Reporter of the Year, Broadcast

D. Agriculture Reporter of the Year

E. Indian Language Reporter of the Year, Publishing

F. Indian Language Reporter of the Year, Broadcast

G. Producer of the Year

H. Ad Person of the Year

I. PR Person of the Year

* Of these nine categories, the first three -- i.e. Journalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year- Publishing and Reporter of the Year- Broadcast - shall be selected from the same pool of applicants.

6. Further bars on eligibility for IIMCAA Awards Applicants

The question of whether aspects extraneous to an applicant's body of work (such as conduct on public platforms or private spheres involving others) could be made valid grounds for disqualification was taken up for discussion. The key question was whether these should take the form of blanket rules or merely guidelines.

As an alumni association that represents the media industry, it is well within IIMCAA's remit to stand for a public ethos that fosters the best communication practices. But it is difficult to clearly define the boundaries of such an ethos, except to say it would entail both a prohibitive attitude towards malicious acts/ behaviour and not be prohibitive towards open, democratic expression.

Consequently, it was decided that only acts or behaviour that run afoul of the law would be kept strictly within the framed rules for disqualification. Every applicant must give an undertaking to this effect, as framed by IIMCAA. Everything else shall be included within a broad set of guidelines, as stated below, and as adopted from the best universal practices.

IIMCAA Awards Guidelines

IIMCAA expects that an applicant for its awards will not be in breach of the principles of reasonable conduct* with regard to acts in the public (or interpersonal) sphere:

*Reasonable conduct shall include the following:

A. Not be committing or encouraging any violation of the basic laws that govern public and private good

B. Not be encouraging physical harm to individuals or groups or causing any other form of threat to public safety

C. Not be committing or encouraging acts of offence, insult or verbal violence in any form on any person or group based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, bodily or other intrinsic attributes, and ailments

D. Be refraining from weaponizing sexually explicit language and excessive profanity for the purposes of causing offence to individuals or groups

E. Not be engaging in behaviour that amounts to online harassment of any individual or group, including peers, through persistent verbal (or visual) targeting committed with the intention of causing insult, offence or harm

F. The phrase 'individual', 'person' or 'group' shall be taken to include the IIMCAA community as a whole or its members

IIMCAA shall reserve the right to disqualify an applicant if he or she is found to be in blatant breach of the stated principles or anything analogous to those. Such disqualification will be done in a transparent manner, through internal discussions or, if need be, a vote and the grounds for proceeding thus shall be made available to an independent ombudsman, if so required or demanded.

Agenda 02. IIMCAA Scholarships Review: The General Body reviewed the IIMCAA Scholarships scheme. IIMCAA facilitated 11 Scholarships in 2019, 27 in 2020, 28 in 2022 and 30 in 2023. Students received an assistance of 25000 INR each under this initiative jointly run by IIMCAA, alumni and well wishes of IIMC and IIMCAA. 

Members noted with pain that more than 90% beneficiaries of IIMCAA Scholarships chose not to become a member of IIMCAA after passing out from IIMC. IIMCAA received complaints every year that a few scholarships were given to students of well-to-do families. A proposal was moved to discontinue the initiative. 

Mr. Karan Seth suggested to retain the scholarship for special cases if the institute recommends a student in need. 

The general body, while discussing positive and negative aspects of the initiative, has decided unanimously to put the IIMCAA Scholarships on hold for now.

Agenda 03. IIMCAA Membership Fee Review: IIMCAA had fixed a 500 INR annual membership fee in 2012. A need to review it was felt after ten years. The General Body unanimously passed a resolution to raise the annual membership fee to 1000 INR plus taxes. Lifetime Membership will remain the same, 10000 INR plus taxes.

Agenda 04. Unlisted Agenda: Members of the General Body were requested to present an agenda/ a proposal for discussion if they have one. No one put an agenda or a proposal for consideration. 

Agenda 05. Central Committee Charge Handover: Outgoing IIMCAA President Mr. Kalyan Ranjan handed over the charge of the central committee to President Elect Ms. Simrat Gulati. Mr. Ranjan and Ms. Gulati signed the required documents as a token of transition of power.

Agenda 06. Vote of Thanks: IIMCAA Treasurer Mr. Badri Nath presented a vote of thanks to general body members who attended the meeting. 

Thanks & Regards,

Deeksha Saksena

General Secretary