Theres a buzz of excitement in the modest office of YOCee (Youth of Chennai, energetic, enthusiastic) — a Chennai-based proprietary firm which manages YOCee.in, a childrens website in the port city. On Childrens Day (November 14) YOCee plans to launch a video news bulletin on its You Tube channel featuring student-centric news and events reported by YOCee child reporters. Putting the action packed video news bulletin together will teach our young reporters how to cover news and events, conduct interviews, and produce their own news video, says Revathi Ramaswamy who promoted the firm in November 2006 and has since been motivating children to write, read and share news through www.YOCee.in.A cost accounting postgrad of Madurai Kamaraj University, Ramaswamy worked in Canara Bank, Mumbai for 16 years before putting in her papers in 2001. Her interest in writing and communication prompted her to informally promote a childrens magazine titled Scribble in 2003. Her first publishing venture made her aware of the benefits and potential of childrens media. Thus when she moved to Chennai in 2004, Ramaswamy found her calling and started YOCee. Four years on YOCee.in has developed into a colourful website managed by three professionals and provides academic, co-curricular and leisure-time information — book releases and contests, holiday destinations, young achievers and news about childrens events — in Chennai. Every year we receive over 60 applications from children aspiring to become our student reporters. We select 25 applicants on the basis of aptitude and potential. Subsequently we meet for only two hours per month to plan stories and help them develop reporting and writing skills. Our prime objective is to encourage community reporting, and make children aware of civic concerns, consumer rights and other important issues, says Ramaswamy. Focussing on its goal, the firm launched a 160-page Chennai Kids directory featuring a huge database of coaching centres, tuition classes, private tutors, activity and sports and amusement centres for children. Priced at Rs.20, the directory has sold 3,000 copies. With YOCee.in and the Chennai Kids directory running smoothly, Ramaswamy is planning new diversifications. An initiative on the drawing board is YOCee Next, an online website produced and written by college students spotlighting serious issues in tertiary education. With the maturing of new interactive information communication technologies, numerous opportunities have emerged to facilitate hands-on and peer learning, says Ramaswamy. Way to go, sister! Hemalatha Raghupathi (Chennai) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp
