Be on TV - BBC

4 long years of TV journalism and I have enjoyed every bit of reporting being right in the midst of action, Exploring the role of a TV presenter never took my slightest fancy,but as they say there’s always a first time for everything and our visit to the BBC Public Space in Birmingham triggered that fancy in me. Well, there isn’t any rocket science to it. I just had to stand near the dummy studio and click some buttons and everything was set to roll. The tele prompt started rolling and so did the camera and Lo! I was reading the News - a report for Midlands Today with the BBC studio as the backdrop - a dream come true.



It’s not only presenting news but there’s the weather forecast and much, much more. No one could stop themselves from trying their hand at “Be on TV” even Neha, Afreen or Maha Siddque - all known news presenters in India, but poor Chayan - just stood like a mute as Jajati Karan didn't give him a chance to read the news and only when he read "Goodbye" did he realize that the script for the news was over.

And yes! Please do not forget to see me anchoring. - Go to BBC Birmingham's Public Space - Be on TV where you’ll be asked to enter a code. My code is 071619946. Once you enter the code just hit PLAY and I’ll be on your screens. (and mind you this is available for only 7 days from now).



Andrea handles the Public Space at BBC. She took us around the public space and told us that BBC Birmingham's Public Space in The Mailbox has already attracted thousands of visitors since it opened its doors in June 2003. The BBC office at Birmingham makes way for people to explore more and more of BBC Birmingham. For e.g.; with the aid of special touch screens you can take interactive tours around the radio drama and TV studios. The space has a Café, BBC shop and hosts a variety of events. A special viewing glass allows you to look into the BBC WM and Asian Network studios and also gives you a chance to watch your favourite presenters on air.



It took us over 4 hours to reach the BBC office – Though we were tired from all the traveling the visit was worth all of it. Gail Foley was there to escort us and we met Mr Jas; a Sardarji who is one of the production heads, born and brought up in the UK.Mr Jas showed us around and gave us a detailed explanation, satisfying our queries we were volleying on him as if we would start our own channel after returning to India. Even though BBC had such a smooth way of functioning - we TV journalists from India felt it was really difficult to handle TV news in India with the umpteen number of "BREAKING NEWS" cropping up.



Our enthusiasm to click photographs in the BBC studio made us look like school going kids who had suddenly come across some kind of fantasy world. It was Adrian once again, who took us to Birmingham in a mini bus. The only thing he always complained about was our sense of punctuality which we never seemed to maintain. It would take us some time to keep up with the pace and time out here. We desperately wanted to visit Oxford on our way back but time constraints didn’t allow us the opportunity.

Deepa - a senior Producer from Times Now was back with us after a brief illness which didn’t allow her to make out station trips but her resolution for losing weight isn’t seem to working as the temptation to grab junk food is hitting her hard. Maha Siddiqui had a great time exchanging intellectual thoughts with Adrian on our way back - a strong believer in Islam and Allah - the most merciful and the most kind, peace and blessing be upon beloved Prophet- was dressed in western attire and looked damn cool. Neha with her backpack looks like a cute school girl and so did Veer Raghav - a bigger version of Neha. Pawan, Afreen, Jajati relaxed listening to their ipods while Neha, Deepa, Veera and I did some grocery shopping at Asda. It was quite a cool day. More yet to come so stay tuned! Oh! there goes the presenter in me :-)