Tikli Basu Email & Phone Number

Mumbai

In charge of the new media operations of the group.

New Delhi Area, India

After nearly 14 years in print media, I was introduced to the Wild West that is new media, still on the cusp of becoming the most immediate, diverse and forceful means of disseminating news and analysis, embellishing it with multimedia and interactive content to inform the reader of the news at it breaks. I firmly believe that content is all, and technology its faithful enabler. It was my brief to engage the vast resources of The Indian Express' print operations to the new media wing, to upgrade content, add new features, build team, spruce up design etc.

Senior Editor, City Editions: Was tasked with integrating in Delhi the production of alloutstation editions of the paper. These included producing the city as well as state pagesof Punjab (Chandigarh and Ludhiana editions), Kolkata, Lucknow, Gujarat, Jammu andKashmir and Maharashtra (Mumbai and Pune editions). Have also for nearly three yearsbeen responsible for the production of the Delhi city edition.The main aim behind bringing production under one roof was to maintain and upgradequality across all editions – both of content, editing and design.The job has been challenging – more than 50 pages a night -- and while it has entailedlargely production work like editing and design, the team has also decided the placement ofstories, customised Page 1s for outstation editions and encouraged relevant city-specificcoverage to be in competition with regional papers.The outstation team was built here in Delhi – almost 60 desk personnel at one point of time.While I was ably supported by a large team of editors, my personal experience in shapingstories from all over India has been varied. I have handled copy, largely news and newsfeatures, from the fields of politics, crime, administrative and government strategy,human interest etc.Senior Editor, Online: I am now associated full time with the group's websites. My briefhas been to engage the vast resources of the print operations to our new media wing, toupgrade content, add new features, build team, spruce up design etc.Once again, this job entails heavy editing, and more proactively so given the immediatenature of the job. Since the story has to be 'out there' first, the story is written the momentit breaks. The team here hits the ground running. This entails much more original writing,imbuing background and opinion to a one-line breaking news.

In both turnkey positions, the portfolio entailed executing editions under me from start to finish. My editorial responsibilities included being in charge of the bureau, designing pages, overseeing the activities of the features and sports departments, as well as pursuing my own interests in reporting.The Mumbai edition was undergoing structural changes by the time I took over. Iwas entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the editorial department. This includedrestructuring the workforce, recruiting people, being in charge of reporting, designing the front page of the city edition, editing copy as well as coordinating with headquarters Delhi to make sure Mumbai was well represented. I also looked after all supplements, whether regular or advertisement features. I was also involved with the paper’s website.Putting a multi-edition daily on the net was a new experience. Subsequently, it was greatfun adding more activity to our site, tying up with like-minded sites for a perfect blend ofinformation sharing.

Kolkata

As chief of bureau and chief reporter before that in Kolkata, I was in charge of 17 correspondents including six district reporters.My job was to brainstorm story ideas with my colleagues, to assign stories, edit copy,coordinate with the newsdesk in Kolkata as well as with key members of the headquarteredition in Delhi. I also discussed page layout with the news editor and slotted stories.I continued to cover politics and was given independent charge to lead my team inseveral general and Assembly elections that took place in these years. Covering electionsremains my most enduring experience.

Master Of Arts, English Literature

Undergraduate, Science