WORK PROFILE- Assistant Director, INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE

Hi everyone,

This article should give you an overview about the day to day work of an Assistant Director when he/she joins the media unit after completing the training. The Officer has a supervisory role which includes the media management of various Ministries of the Government through publication of Press release, organizing press conferences, designing media plans, publicity campaigns for the Government of India and to promote the reach of government schemes through different media including radio, TV, print, new media.

The job demands the Officer to be abreast of latest trends in media, communication and technology.  The skill set that will define a future officer should include command over new media tools, effective speaking, high Emotional Quotient. Apart from this the service requires soft skills, good understanding of language. Owing to different work of media units the job allows diversity and creativity in work profile.

An overview of media units is as follows:

ALL INDIA RADIO- The organizational work can be divided into three main units-Talks Unit, General News Room, IT department. The work at Talks unit is to arrange programs for the daily and weekly talk programmes on AIR The Assistant Director is in-charge of the unit and he/she may also host the shows. It provides a good opportunity to meet Ambassadors, senior officials in the Government, Parliamentarians, among other journalists, editors and field experts.

The News Room is like any other news room where Assistant Director edits a part of the bulletin. A day an Officer may be the ediror in chief whereas some other day he/she may be editing a language bulletin.

The IT department works for the IT infrastructure, website maintenance and other administrative needs of the organization.

There are chances that one working in Reporting Unit may also travel as a media team member of President, Prime Minister, Vice President.

DOOR DARSHAN- The Officers supervise the Bulletin, participates in program planning for the channel.There are chances that one working in Reporting Unit may also travel as a media team member of President, Prime Minister, Vice President.

PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU-The Officers are attached to different ministries where they oversee the publicity of the respective ministry. Working at PIB platform provides the opportunities to understand the basics of various ministries. The routine work may include arranging press conferences, handling the social media pages of the ministry, organizing media outreach programmes for the ministry, coordinating with regional units etc.



DIRECTORATE OF FIELD PUBLICITY-The role of Officers is to supervise publicity of government programmes/schemes through inter-personal communication.



DIRECTORATE OF PUBLICATIONS DIVISION- The Officers are responsible for editing, publication of magazines. Some of the magazines like YOJANA, KURUKSHETRA, INDIA YEAR BOOK, Employment News etc. are published form DPD. Officers have the opportunity to actively participate in national and international book fairs on behalf of the government of India.



DIRECTORATE OF ADVERTISING AND VISUAL PUBLICITY- Here again the work opportunities are immense. The unit is responsible for advertising and Visual publicity for the Government. It includes designing of AD campaigns, posters, FAQs on government schemes etc. For Example: The posters that you may have come across displaying: Join the INDIAN ARMY, Swacch Bharat posters are designed by DAVP. The organization is responsible for empanellment of news paper agencies, radio stations etc.


REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS IN INDIA-  The official work includes title verification and issue of Registration Certificates to various newspapers, Circulation Verification etc.
   
Later in the career IIS Officer's are also posted in the FTII, NFAI, CBFC, FILMS DIVISION, Directorate of Film Festivals and there are many other opportunities too. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organizes the International Film Festival at Goa is coordinated by IIS Officers.

One may also refer to the following circular:






This understanding is based on my personal experience. I hope it helps. All the best.

A forgotten day may be platinum today.

ALLOWANCES-INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE

Hi everyone,

I am listing out the allowances for an Assistant Director in the Indian Information Service, posted in New Delhi. Just at the commencement of the training the Probationer is entitled to the following,

• SALARY- Rs.56100/- (BASIC PAY)
• HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE- Rs.13600/- approx. after 7th Pay Commission recommendation. Will be effective in coming months. (As of now I am getting Rs. 6600/- HRA) 
• TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE- Rs.7200/- per month
• National Pension Scheme deductions 10% of basic Pay
• Other Misc. deductions around Rs.1000/- 

Now you can do the calculations I guess. 

STAY DURING PROBATION-Probationers are entitled to stay in the Officer's Guest House, Indian institute of Mass Communication in twin sharing accommodation. The officer's Guest House is a serene place when it comes to living in Delhi with the greens of JNU protecting the Guest House from pollution and noise. It has the Officer's Mess(monthly bill approximately Rs. 6000/-, payable to IIMC), a Common room with Table Tennis, Carrom board facility and several newspapers and Magazines are available. Few bicycles have also been provided.

The campus also has facility of an outdoor Badminton Court.  As of now the rent for the stay is Rs.4000 per month (payable to IIMC. So, Living and eating comes out to be around Rs. 10000/-). Officer's are entitled to stay in the Campus facility only till Probation (around 21 months.). You have several options for living after that which I write below.

• HOUSING FACILITY- There are two options for living after training ends

1. Government Accommodation: a) General Pool quarters                                                                           b) Radio Colony quarters                                  
2. Rented accommodation in Delhi

Officer's are eligible for TYPE 4 FLATS in CENTRAL POOL quarters. But the allocation for takes 3-4 years or may be more depending upon the demand-supply. It may take less time as I have been hearing that new flats are being constructed.

Going by the option '1.b)' there are flats for Officer's in the RADIO COLONY(Near GTB Nagar Metro Station). These are allotted to those whose parent media unit is All India Radio or Door Darshan. If for example, your parent media unit is PIB, then one has to look for a rented room, apply for accommodation in the General pool. Also, it takes a minimum of one year for house allocation in Radio Colony. There is no minimum service requirement in applying for government accommodation One can apply for it as the probation starts.

• REIMBURSEMENTS-On submitting the bills to parent media unit one is entitled to get reimbursement for FOUR newspapers per month. One can purchase magazines for Rs. 200/- per month and get the amount reimbursed.

• LAPTOP is provided during 9 months training at IIMC. CAR- Car is available for pick up and drop for all Official duties and for Official duty in odd hours. Daily commuting has to be done by private cab or metro whichever you prefer.

• TOUR TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE- During field attachments Officer Trainees are entitled to Rs.2250/- for lodging per day and Rs.900/- for food per day.

This is a basic info which I hope will settle down a bit of your curiosity about how your upcoming days and years would be once you join the service. If you have any other query feel free to ask.

All the best.
Life with it's summers and winters is spring forever.  

Training-INDIAN INFORMATION SERVICE

Hi everyone,

Through this article I wish to give you an idea about the training module of the Indian Information Service.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is the cadre controlling authority for the service i.e all the organisations under the Ministry are supervised by IIS Officers. The training academy for the probationers is the Indian Institute of Mass Communication(IIMC), a premier school of journalism in India, located in the New JNU Campus, New Delhi. A few steps away is the lush green campus of JNU to walk, jog, write, think, dream!

The training usually starts within a month of completion of the foundation course at Mussoorie. Attending the foundation course(FC) is not compulsory for this service. So, there is a good long window of holiday between the announcement of final results and start of training at IIMC, if you are not attending the Foundation course. To tell you more that if you are attempting the prelims you are not eligible to attend the FC. Coming to the training, it can be divided into two broad phases,


1) 9 MONTHS training at IIMC
2) 12 MONTHS ATTACHMENT IN MEDIA UNITS(2 months in each unit)

The training at IIMC consists of series of lectures and field attachments. Just like the training of other services the basic idea is to equip the probationers to understand the media domain. As media spans across a plethora of fields the theory classes cover aspects a few of which are,

• Communication-Audio, Visual, Inter personal, Development, Use of Social Media/New Media, Corporate, Crisis, Communicating for Defense etc.
• Media-Management, Interface with journalists, Role of Media agencies, Planning 
• Introduction to Photography-Camera handling, script writing for TV, Photo essays, appreciating photography...
• Series of Lectures on OFFICER LIKE QUALITIES, Body Language, Communicating Effectively verbally, non verbally, Communicating Officially-Individually... 
• RADIO-Speaking for Radio, Managing radio stations, Community Radio Writing for Radio
• CENTRAL GOVERNMENT RULES AND PROCEDURES-Seniority principles, leave rules, allowances, financial procedures in government etc.
• Overview of news agencies 
• Interaction with Senior journalists, ad agencies, media planners such as O&M, MeltWaters...
• Social Research project, survey, campaign designing, advertising...

Apart from the theory classes the more interesting phase is the field attachments. The field attachments are intermixed with the classroom lectures. Attachments for my batch have been as follows,

• Ministry of Finance for preparation of budget infographics, videos, FAQ on Budget, Economic Survey. IIS officers handle the social media accounts of the Finance Ministry among others.

• Attachment with Bureau of Parliamentary Studies & Training- 3 day Appreciation course in Parliamentary Processes & Procedures. Visit to Lok Sabha Session, Lectures by Parliamentarians.

• National Security Guards- The purpose of the visit was to know about the communication strategy of NSG. Adding to the learning was a demo by the bomb squad, shooting exercises in the NSG range.

• Assam Rifles-Visit for sensitization about the issues in North east. Understanding aspects of the art of perception management from the point of view of Assam Rifles. The visit also gave us a chance to see what hardships, sacrifices lie behind the official duties of an armed forces officer. The visit covered areas of Manipur including the town of MOREH, small exhibition of arms and ammunition used by the force, patrolling along the Indo Myanmar border and the attachment concluded with a visit to office of Director General Assam Rifles, Shillong. IIS officers are also posted as Public Relation Officers in Ministry of Defence.

• Visit to Kaziranga National Park-Understanding wildlife conservation and communication for the Environment, wildlife.

• Film & Television Institute, Pune-3 weeks certificate course on Basic Television Production Techniques & Film Appreciation. IIS officers are posted as Registrar, Director of the prestigious FTII.

• National Film Archives of India-Role is to supervise archiving of films. IIS officers are posted as in NFAI. Presently, IIS officer heads the execution of NATIONAL FILM HERITAGE MISSION.

• District Attachment-2 weeks attachment to a district preferably of probationers choice. Idea is to analyse government campaign for any programme say Mission Indradhanush and collate data with the help of field visits, interviews, meeting with district level officers about how communication has played a role in achieving the desired outcomes, progress in awareness levels of people regarding the issues etc. For example-How many people know the dates of immunisation? Source of information about immunisation? The learning outcomes aim to give an idea around which parameters the government campaign should be based depending upon the programme, area, demographics among others.

• Visit to Lalit Kala Akademy-For a better understanding on color schemes, appreciating different art forms. The understanding, apart from being a learning in aesthetics, develops an ability to use images for news production, advertising, appearance etc. Or just for the sake of admiring ART! 

• Bharat Darshan- 21 days attachment where the probationers visit different parts of India. Also, the probationers design the attachment itinerary. It is yet to begin for my batch.

Some glimpses of above attachments: 

At Indo-Myanmar Border. Attachment with Assam Rifles.

Attended a lecture by Naseeruddin Shah @ FTII

Post Budget party with Hon'ble MoF.

The captivating Kaziranga

Attachment with Bureau of Parliament.

Apart from these major attachments there are visits to the President's Office, Constitutional dignitaries and interaction with PRO's of various offices as and when the schedule permits.

The 12 months attachments with different Media Units are designed  to equip the Probationers with an understanding of the work environment. After the completion of training, Probationers are posted in different media units namely:

All India Radio, News Service Division
Doordarshan News
Press Information Bureau
Directorate of Field Publicity(DFP)
Directorate of Publications Division(DPD-Publishing YOJANA, KURUKSHETRA, INDIA YEAR BOOK, Employment News etc.)
Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity(DAVP)
Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC)

The first assignment is at the rank of ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.One is promoted to Deputy Director and so forth as the career advances.

I am attaching the whole syllabus of IIS training in the link below. It is available on the IIMC website. If you are still curious, sip a coffee, tea for me, go through it.

IIS OFFICERS GROUP -A Syllabus:

http://iimc.nic.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/17/iis/For%20IIS%20Group%20A%20Officers.pdf

I will write a separate article on the work profile in various media units, other service details, salary allowances etc. which might help you in taking an informed decision while giving service preference in DAF.

I hope it helps. Please feel free to ask any other questions. All the best.

For that one moment of Radiance, I walk through hundred dark nights.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 5, 2016)

They didn’t need words to express themselves. They couldn’t find words to express themselves. It was all being done by the eyes. Mannu and Pia had done it for their love, a journey that had brought them together for the rest of their lives, bonded them forever, strengthened their mutual trust and completed the happiness of Pia.

He’d have no pain in his eyes if his life ended now.

She was standing straight in front, hiding away the wars she was fighting behind her innocent smile. No, she moved a little towards the right or did he move towards his left?

Oh God! What was happening? Where was he going?

Mannu looked outside again. She had gone much further now.

They could still see each other... yes, even now.

She wanted to say something.

Oh! Somebody take him to her.

She still had an unspoken word on her lips.

Mannu hung out again, but this time she had gone away, far away.

Seconds later his cell phone beeped.

One New Message: Pia.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 4, 2016)

“What...you’ll miss the train...and you..you are smiling.”  

“I will be so so happy to miss the train, I would have you with me for more time.” She slapped him on his thigh. They were very close together. Thigh to thigh. Arm to arm. Mannu rested his head on her shoulder. He felt sleepy as she started patting his cheek. The auto was running faster than usual. Pia was simultaneously pressing him to run fast.

“Take good care of your health Mannu... and please eat something in the train...” She spoke, stopped for a while and spoke again.

“Call me as soon as you reach Jaipur. Promise me.” Mannu stayed silent, looked deep into her eyes and made the promise.

“I love you, Mannu...” She whispered.

He kept looking at her and went so close that their lips touched.

Oh, what was that? What am I doing?

Mannu questioned himself.

It was for a fraction of second and they parted. He looked at Pia again. Her eyes truly showed what she had in her heart and Mannu kissed her again. They were two bodies, but one soul. It lasted only for a few seconds, but they did it with passion, never cared about the world and the look of the auto driver. As their eyes opened they were near the bridge that connected the platform. It was 7:20 pm and the train was to depart after three minutes. Mannu held her tight and together they ran towards the platform. Life had changed, time had changed. Now Mannu was faster than anybody on the station. Pia was breathing heavily as they halted on the platform at 7:21 pm. All the eyes were on them, some filled with suspicion, some with disgust. They were but carefree.

“Come come come...”She spoke and pulled Mannu further to check the PNR status.

“Mannu Mannu Mannu....Mannu.” She found it out. The seat was confirmed. Bingo! Pia’s words had again proved right. But it was the third coach. They faced the ninth. Again Pia pulled him towards the coach number three. Their hands were locked tight. Breath was heavy, but it was only for each other’s comfort. The gates of the train were empty as passengers had already occupied their seats.

“We would have just missed it...” Pia spoke, breathing heavy.

“We didn’t...” Mannu spoke amid his heavy breath, with a smile on his face and a pain in his heart. For the first time they looked at the moon together. She was pushing him to board the train. The lights could turn green any moment. He finally stepped in and clung to the exit gates.

It was their last minute together. 

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 3, 2016)

“I’ll read them all when you’ll not be near me.” Pia said, putting the diaries back in Mannu’s bag. The love gift she had sent him was also waiting its turn. Pia’s anxiousness was clearly visible by the way she kissed it, hugged it and loved it. They read the love letter again, arm in arm.

The sun had gone. Mannu had clicked only seven photos.

No, he never wanted to go. Pia was busy packing Mannu’s bag and she had even tied his shoe laces.

“Baby...” She spoke.

The bag was packed. Mannu said nothing, just tried to hide the glow in his eyes.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.” Replied Mannu, amidst his mild sobbing.

 She came near and touched him with her open palm. It took away all Mannu had hidden from so long and he burst into tears.

She rested him on her shoulder, wiped Mannu’s tears again and again, but the more they came.

“Stop crying my baby. Talk to me.” She said, lifting him by his chin.

“Can’t you keep me with you forever?” Mannu questioned Pia

“Oh! My baby... you’re forever in my heart. Now no one can separate us only if you stop crying. And I promise we are meeting again soon.”   

Mannu agreed with her words and tried hard to smile. They were one by heart and soul. All the doubts had vanished. Yes! Pia and Mannu were one. They had found each other in this big world. There was truth in all that had happened in the past eleven months and eight days. Pia was there in real for Mannu and so was he for Pia.

  

“What’s the time?” Pia questioned Mannu.

His watch showed 4:00 pm.

She immediately took out his cell phone to check the correct time.

It was 6.40 pm. She held him tight.

“What happened?” Mannu questioned.

“We’re late, Mannu. We need to run or you’ll miss the train.” Pia said, and even in the darkness the sweat beads on her forehead and her upper lip were visible. Mannu took the pleasure to wipe them. There was no time left to ponder upon what to do. They had to rush to the railway station. Nothing else! Mannu bundled up all the bad feelings and, holding her close, walked to search for an auto. They easily got one. This time Pia enquired the auto driver. 

“It takes a minimum of thirty minutes to reach the station from here. And I pray we don’t encounter a traffic jam...” Pia said, wiping her sweat.

Mannu was smiling now.

C U 2MROW @ 9 (November 2, 2016)

The togetherness between them had found its way. The gulf of real and virtual worlds had come to a closure now. They were trying to be as close together as they could be. For all of this was just a matter of few hours. No moment was wasted in other indulgence.

They sipped, drank and bit the red, yellow and blue coloured ice slush, which was the top favourite in Pia’s list of seven. Seven had made Mannu lucky today, or hadn’t it?

Only three hours were left before his watch would show seven. Without telling Pia, Mannu stopped it that very moment, praying to God to stop the time, just for a day. He didn’t want to leave her so early. She held his hands tight and Mannu understood that she had again sensed his inner feelings. With the silent watch on his wrist, purchasing balloons and a new flavoured slush, they moved for a romantic sit in the garden, not so close to the Borivali station.

The soft coloured roses had close resemblance with Pia’s gifts. She never gave Mannu a single gift. They were several together. The first he had received was a message diary. After reading all the fifty-two messages on the glory of love, Mannu couldn’t stop himself from kissing her palm. It happened just by chance. Mannu, this five letter accessory for his mobile was a second one. It had become much dearer to him than the cell phone. The soft breeze in the garden made the exchange much more romantic. There were no words with Mannu to express himself.

“Close your eyes...” Mannu requested Pai. They were sitting on the grass. She had preferred it to a seat.

“Why?mmmm Ok...”

As soon as Mannu went ahead to express himself she opened her eyes again.

“Trust me...”spoke Mannu instantly and she closed her eyes again.

He took the ring from his pocket and gently ringed Pia’s ring finger.

“Now open your eyes...”

She was mesmerized. Awed by its beauty and glitter. She kissed his, hugged it to her bosom.

“You purchased it so quickly and ...how do you know the size?”

“You liked it naaaa”

“Sssss liked it very very much...its the most beautiful gift I’ve ever got...Thank you thank you... ”

 She kissed it from everywhere and Mannu just longed to be under her lips.

“I’ve something for you also...last one...”She spoke holding her ring finger with the other hand. Again Mannu got a heart shaped pendent.  She hugged the two message diaries, which were all dipped in her love messages. Reading the messages aloud, she laughed to herself when she read her passionate message kisses, some even three lines long. She took out the pens, laughed a lot after counting the finished ones and wrote the messages that she had sent yesterday. All was written in the same way as Mannu had been doing for the past five months. Mannu just kept looking at her.