Mrinal Chatterjee

Mrinal Chatterjee (born 29 January 1961) is a media educator, author and trainer from Odisha, India and works as a professor and center head in the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. He is the author of the book History of Journalism in Odisha, which is the first major publication on history of journalism in Odisha. The book explains the state of journalism in Odisha from its beginning in mid 19th century till mid 2013.
Prof. Chatterjee has also made immense contribution to the field of fiction writing with more than 10 novels publications, 7 short story collections and a series of columns in Odia dailies. He has published five books on journalism and mass communication in Odia. His recent book 'Glossary of Terms for Media Persons' helps students, media professionals, research scholars and all those people who want to have a tap on the words used in day-to-day affairs of journalism.
His Odia fiction 'Jagate Thiba Jate Dina' published in 2010 has gained immense popularity among the readers in Odisha. The book is a collection of his columns published in the weekly Samaja Saptahiki. His novel 'Kandhei' released on 15 December 2013, has also got positive reviews as the book not only breaks many myths about cats but also make the readers see the world through the eyes of a cat.
His latest novel 'Eka Sundar Chandini Ratire' has been published by Shraddha Publication, Baleswar in March 2016. It is Dr Chatterjee's seven short story collection. His sixth short story collection ' Yamraj Chutire' (Yamraj on Leave) has been released on December 12, 2015 at Rajdhani Book Fair. It is published by Bhubaneswar-based Timepass Prakashan. Assamese version of his popular Odia novel 'Yamraj Number 5003' has been released on February 22, 2016. The book is published by Bina Prakasani, Guwahati.

He started his career as a Lecturer in English in 1983, joined Sambad, an Odia daily in 1984 as sub-editor and became Edition-in-Charge of Sambad's North Odisha edition in December 1996. As a Journalist, Chatterjee has written extensively on Environment. He has been awarded the prestigious K.K. Birla Foundation Fellowship(1996) and Journalist Fellowship by Centre for Science and Environment(1991 and 1992).

He joined Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanl as Associate Professor in February 1999. He became Professor and head of the Eastern India campus of IIMC located in Dhenkanal, Odisha in June 2008.

He has also extensively worked in radio and television. He worked in AIR and Doordarshan in several capacities- as Announcer and Newsreader for over 7 years, besides doing various programs. He has written the story and screenplay of many successful tele-serials and anchored many radio and television programs.

• PhD (Journalism and Mass Communication), Berhampur University, 2007
• M.M.C.(Masters in Mass Communication) Guru Jambheswar University, 2002.
• M.A. (Public Administration), Utkal University, 1993
• M.A. (English), Utkal University, 1982
• LL.B. Utkal University, 1983
• H.S.C., BOSE, Odisha, 1976
• Certificate Course in Human Rights, IGNOU, 2007
• Certificate Course in German, Utkal University, 199

Two weeks Trainer's Training on 'Conflict Reporting' by Thomson Foundation in Cardiff, Belfast and London. 28 January-12 February 2006.

• PhD study: Barefoot Journalists in the 21st century: Journalism as a profession in Odisha, 2007
• Communication Needs Assessment (CNA) Study, 2000–2001 for State AIDS Cell, Bhubaneswar as Project Co-ordinator.
• One Year Study on ‘Peoples' participation pertaining to Environmental Issues: Chilka, Budhi Khamari, Gandhamardan and Bhitar Kanika’, 1996–97. Fellowship awarded by K. K. Birla Foundation, New Delh#
• Study on 'Afforestation Programme in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha’, 1993. Fellowship awarded by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delh#
• Study on 'Water Mill System of Himachal Pradesh', 1992. Fellowship awarded by Centre for Science and Environment (ISE), New Delhi.
• Baseline Communication study on ICDS project of Bihar, 1991

• Professor (Communication), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, Odisha since June 2008
• Associate Professor, (Communication Theory and Research), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, Odisha since February 1999.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Importance of News Media for Business’,‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ and ‘Creativity in Advertisement’ in Business Schools like Xaviers in Bhubaneswar.
• Delivered lecture on ‘Women and Media’ in Academic Staff College, Benaras Hindu University
• Delivered lecture on ‘Peoples’ Participation in Environmental Issues and role of Mainstream Media’ in Department of Botany, MPC College, Baripada and Utkal University
• Guest Faculty in Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha. (Subjects: Development Journalism, Reporting), Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, Odisha. (Subjects: Television Journalism, Development Journalism), and other media schools in several States.

• Sustainable Human Development and Role of Media, Role of Media in Development and Governance: A compilation of Articles, Centre for Media Research and Development Studies, Kolkata, 2008
• Sensitize Grassroot-level Journalists to reach Rural communities, Indian Media Studies Journal, Volume 1, Number 1, July–December 2006

• National seminar on ‘Future of Print Media’ organised by Surendranath College in Kolkata, 17–18 February 2009. Presented a paper entitled ‘Future of Print Media: Both bleak and bright’.
• Narional seminar on ‘Towards Police Reforms’ organised by APVW School of Media and Policy Research and Indian Institute of Mass Communication in Kolkata, 21 September 2008.
• National seminar on ‘Locating History in Mass Communication and Journalism in 20th Century’organised by U.N.College at Adaspur, Odisha, 12–13 July 2008. Presented a paper titled,‘‘Locating History in Mass Communication and Journalism’
• Regional seminar on ‘Broadcast Regulations: Future of Broadcasting in India’ organised by Media Information and Communication Centre of India (MICCI) and Centre for Media Research and Development Studies, Kolkata in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and UNESCO at Press Club, Kolkata, 7 and 8 April 2007. Presented a paper titled, ‘Content in Television: A paradigm shift’.
• National seminar on ‘Regional Language Press in India: new era, new challenges’ organised by University of Pune, Maharashtra, 12–14 February 2007. Presented a paper titled, ‘Oriya Language Press: Status, Problems and Prospects’
• National Science Communication Congress in Science City Ahmedabad, 11–15 December 2006. Presented a paper, Science -Media Interaction: Status and Prospect. It was adjudged as the best paper in the Congress.

• Worked as a Sub-editor (1984–89), Senior Correspondent (1991–96) and Edition-in-Charge, Sambad, North-Odisha Edition, Balasore (1996–99).
• Write weekly and fortnightly columns in Sambad, Samaja, Samaya and Sambad Kalika.
• Anchored many radio and TV programs for AIR, Cuttack, Baripada, Joranda, Berhampur; Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar and E-TV(Odia). Read news on Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar. Anchored 6 episodes of E-TV Adalat, on various election related issues, 2004. Anchored an interview-based talk show, Sapanara Pathe Pathe. (19 episodes, first telecast: July 2005) and a programme on women empowerment for Mission Shakti titled Shaktirupa for Doordarshan, Bhubaneswar (26 episodes, first telecast: May 2007). Presently anchoring a science programme on E-TV(Odia), titled Ajira Bigyana (First telecast: April 2005)
• Reports, features, news-reports published in different National, regional and local papers and periodicals including Indian Express, Deccan Chronicle, Deccan Herald, Punjab Keshari, Janmabhoomi (Gujarati), Aaj (Hindi), Pratikhan (Bengali), etc.
• Stories, Plays, Novels, translations published in different magazines, news papers and periodicals including Katha, Amrutayana, Agami Satabdi, Chandrabhaga, Aaj (Hindi), Pratikhan (Bengali), Bindu (Marathi), etc. Wrote script for tele-serials.
• Associated with a Central Govt. funded audio cassette software production for school children project as Content Expert, 1990.
• Directed a video documentary film on 'Solid Waste Management in Puri Municipality’ for ORITCO, 1997.
• Member of committees to devise communication training programs for several Govt. departments.

Non-Fiction:

• Gana Madhyam O Sambadikata (Mass Media and Journalism), Sephali Communications, Balasore 1998. A collection of essays in Odia on Mass Media.
• Pariibesh O Jana Sachetanata (Environment and Peoples' awareness), Pine Books, Cuttack, 1997. A research based book on peoples' awareness pertaining to environment in Odia.
• Sabda, Chhabi, Akhara (Sound, Picture & Script), Sephali Communications, Bhubaneswar, 2002. A collection of essays in Odia in Mass Media.
• Glossary of Terms for Media Persons, Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2015
• Odishare Sambadikatara Itihas, Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2015
• History of Journalism in Odisha, Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2015

Fiction :

• Nian (The Fire), Pine Books, Cuttack 1997. A docu-fiction on Baripada Fire Tragedy.
• Bharatpur ra Bagha, (The Tiger of Bharatpur), Pine Books, Cuttack. 1995. Novel. A social satire.
• Secretariat re Bagha (The Tiger in the Secretariat), Sephali Communications, Baripada. 1995. Novel. A political satire.
• Orissa O Ananya Galpa ( Orissa and other stories), Friends Publishers, Cuttack. 1991. Anthology of short stories.
• Brutta O Ananya Galpa ( The Circle and other stories), Granthamandira, Cuttack, 2000. Anthology of short stories.
• Shakti (The Power), Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2000. A Novel.
• Rangadhanga, Prangyaloka, Puri, 2002
• Bhala achha Nabaghana?(Are you well Nabaghana?) Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2003.
• Nabaghana Bhala Achhi (Nabaghana is well), Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2005.
• Bidhumukhi, Sephali Communications, Dhenkanal, 2005.
• Sani Mandira Samnare Saat Bhikari (Seven Beggers in front of Sani Temple),Kadambini Media, Bhubaneswar, 2008. Novel.
• Yamraj Chutire, Timepass Prakashan, Bhubaneswar, 2015
• Eka Sundar Chandini Ratire, Shraddha Publication, Baleswar, 2016
• Yamraj Number 5003 (Assamese), Bina Prakasani, Guwahati, 2016

Translation :

• Saranagata. Original Bengali novel by Samaresh Mazumdar. Kahani, Cuttack. 1995.
• Ekti Meye Lata. Original Bengali Children's Fiction. National Book Trust. 1997.
• Nagaraja ra Duniya (The World of Nagaraj). Original English novel by R.K. Narayana. Pine Books, Cuttack. 1998
• Samakaleen Gujarati Kahania (Contemporary Gujarati Stories). Original stories by contemporary Gujarati short story writers. National Book Trust, New Delh# 2005.
• Amara gachapatra Dehrare ebebi Baduchi (Our trees still grow in Dehra). Original English stories by Ruskin Bond. Sahitya Akademi, Kolkata. 2005.
• Mahasweta Devinka Srestha Galpa (Best strories of Mahasweta Devi). Original Bengali short stories by Mahasweta Dev# National Book Trust, New Delh# 2006.

Radio Plays and Serials:

• Yamaraj Chhutire ( Lord of Death on leave), Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 2008
• Ghataka (The Executioner), Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 1992
• Rabibara re Dine (On one Sunday) Radio play. AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 1992
• Nabaghanara Sansara (The family of Nabaghana) Radio serial. AIR, Jeypore. Six Episodes. First broadcast- 2001
• Kemiti Chalichi (How are things going), 13- episode Radio serial, AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast- 2004
• E Duniya kala kimiya (The world mesmerised me), 13- episode Radio serial, AIR, Cuttack. First broadcast – August 2006

Tele Serials:

• Made in Odisha, E-TV Odia, Fifty plus Episodes. First telecast- 2002.
• Kahile kahiba kahuchi, E-TV, Odia. Fifty plus episodes. First telecast- 2004

• Sahakar Galpa Samman, January 2008
• Felicited by ‘Dr. Radhanath Rath Sambad Sahitya Award by Utkal Sahitya Samaj, Cuttack. July 2007
• Best Rural Journalist Award by Janavani, Bhubaneswar. February 2007
• Mayurbhanj Samman, Baripada. December 2006
• Odisha Living Legend Award by Odisha Diary,2013