SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 19 – A 13-member media delegation from Jammu and Kashmir returned to Srinagar today following the successful conclusion of a comprehensive five-day exposure tour to Chennai and Puducherry. Organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, the visit took place from September 13 to September 19, aimed at fostering inter-regional understanding, developmental exposure, and national integration.
The delegation comprised editors, correspondents, reporters, and photojournalists representing prominent Srinagar-based publications. The tour was led by Shri Shahid Mohammad Lone, Field Publicity Officer (FPO), Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), serving as the Conducting Officer, with Shri Ifham Ul Islam, Information Assistant, PIB Srinagar accompanying the delegation.
During their visit, the delegation held interactions with the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, and the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri K. Kailashnathan. The journalists also met senior officers from various media units of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, exchanging perspectives on the evolving media landscape, regional coverage, and national developmental narratives.
The itinerary provided in-depth exposure to major scientific, technological, and infrastructural hubs in Chennai, including visits to IIT Madras, Integral Coach Factory (ICF) and Port of Chennai.
To understand the composite culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the team toured iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks such as the UNESCO World Heritage site at Mahabalipuram, the historic Wallajah Mosque, the living-history museum Dakshina Chitra, the Auroville experimental township, and the Old Lighthouse in Puducherry.
The journalists also examined regional tourism and environmental infrastructure during visits to Marina Beach, the backwaters, and the Blue Flag-certified Kovalam Beach. Officials detailed the measures implemented by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) to maintain stringent standards in coastal water quality, visitor safety, sustainable tourism, and zero-waste management.
The participating journalists noted that the exposure tour offered valuable firsthand experience of southern India’s industrial capabilities, ecological governance, and rich civilizational fabric, reinforcing cross-regional dialogue and developmental reportage.
