19th September was an important evening for Roja Khatun, Nowsin Biswas, Jee Aljia Akthar, Soumiki Chakraborty and other Community Youth Reporters. A hall full of audience celebrated their success while Suchorita Bardhan, Communication Specialist of UNICEF, India-West Bengal and Dhrubajyoti Pramanik – Managing Editor of Network18 handed them mementos of appreciation..
Suchorita Bardhan in her short speech shared the evolving journey of the community youth reporters. She said, “the initial workshops and continuous training played important role in the journey of the community youth reporters. Once they were simple school girls. But now they are the changemakers”. Dhrubajyoti Pramanik, Managing Editor of Network18, expressed hope in the Community Youth Reporters, noting that they are working fearlessly in the field while overcoming numerous challenges.
The Community Youth Reporter Programme, designed by UNICEF in partnership with IMAGIN and the Press Club, Kolkata – empowers young people and amplifies their voices on pressing social issues. Through this programme, youth reporters become the eyes and ears of their communities, bringing forward stories that matter—stories that shed light on both the beauty and struggles of daily life.
The event was of great joy for the Community Youth Reporters. ” With the training and orientation, we are now telling our own stories. Our reports are making us stronger. We are leading our fellow students to evolve as change makers”, says Baisakhi Ghosh, a Community Youth Reporter. Soumiki Chakraborty and Rimjhim Mandal of Chuapur Bidyaniketan Girls High School were happy as well with the felicitation. Soumiki Chakraborty says, “getting recognition in this gala event is a great achievement for us”.
On 19th and 20th September 2025 IMAGIN organized Murshidabad Community Conclave 2025 with the mission of uniting communities for development. Presence of Rajarshi Mitra, District Magistrate -Murshidabad, Samsur Rahaman , Additional District Magistrate- Murshidabad, Sukanta Saha- Project Director, District Rural Development Cell (DRDC), Subhankar Roy, SDO-Berhampore, Suchorita Bardhan- Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Dr. Snehasis Sur, President of the Press Club – Kolkata, Dhrubajyoti Pramanik – Managing Editor, Network18, eminent artist Sudip Roy, Dr Hena Sinha, Principal, Berhampore Girls College, famous actor Pradip Bhattacharya, Badash Moitro and many other eminent guests made the Community Conclave a great success. The Conclave was inaugurated on 19th September 2025 at Murshidabad Zila Parishad tourism hub with traditional “Raibenshe” Dance and Dhaak of Bengal by Women Dhakis promoting cultural heritage and women empowerment.
IMAGIN felicitated Community Youth Reporters of Murshidabad, Birdman of Bengal- Chand Mian, Mango cultivator Kushal Ghosh and Migrant workers’ rights activist Matiur Rahaman- for their contribution to society.
On 12th January 2025, UNICEF India in its Instagram page published a video featuring the community youth reporters . The text with the video reads,
“Meet the Community Youth Reporters of Murshidabad! From discussing story ideas to capturing powerful visuals, these young changemakers are on a mission to amplify local voices and address critical issues like child marriage and environmental pollution. With support from IMAGIN, Press Club Kolkata, and UNICEF West Bengal, they’re mastering the art of journalism and storytelling. When young voices rise, the world listens. What story would you tell to bring change to your community? “.
Starting their journey from December 2023 , the Community Youth Reporters are addressing issues that directly affect their lives and the lives of their peers and communities. These young changemakers use storytelling and information to spotlight critical social problems, such as child marriage, environmental degradation, and educational opportunities.
These young reporters’ role is more than just journalism. It’s about empowering others, raising awareness, and driving change. They act as representatives of their communities, connecting their peers, families, and local leaders while hoping for better futures for themselves and those around them. Soma Maity, Chairperson of IMAGIN thanked all the guests and community youth reporters as well for attending Murshidabad Community Conclave.
