It's country time again

By Laila Nasry

Once again it's time for music lovers to clap their hands and tap their toes to the beat. A different beat this time -that of country music. Come November 20, cowboy hats and copper- toed boots will take centre stage at the Trans Asia Hotel when "Country Road" goes on board.

This concert is the ninth in a series of annual shows organised by the Country Music Foundation (a non-profit organisation). This year unlike previous years, the performing artistes are not limited to Sri Lankans alone. This concert will see the likes of Kerry Labrooy- a popular country star of Sri Lankan origin who is based in Australia together with other foreign artistes like Dirk Maverick of Germany and Daniel T. Coates with his all-American band. It will be a varied performance, as they will be playing the banjo, steel guitar, accordion and the dobro -a type of guitar, which is unheard of in the Sri Lankan music scene.

In addition to the foreign bands, a star-studded line-up of local artistes, including "Flame", "Cosmic Rays", Mariazelle and Anton and Friends, will be playing at the concert. The unique feature of the show is that all artistes, both foreign and local, are offering their services free, as it is for a worthy cause.

First held in 1988, "Country Roads" ran continuously until 1994. Briefly stopped, it resumed once again in 1997 by popular demand. This show has been made possible by the unstinted support of the sponsors- Ceylinco Insurance and Trans Asia Hotel- who have remained the same over the years. Sri Lankan Airlines will be providing complimentary tickets to all the foreign artistes who are being brought in for the concert.

The Sunday Times has been the show's media sponsor all through.

"This concert has a three-fold objective. This year would be no different; the organisers hope to raise funds for needy children, create an awareness about children's rights and promote country, western and folk music in Sri Lanka," said Feizal Samath, the President of the Country Music Foundation. In order to achieve these objectives, the proceeds of the concert will go towards UNICEF- the UN children's agency. This year's theme is "Rights of the Child". An apt title, for November 20 marks the 10th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF has been associated with these concerts since 1989. In previous years the money collected yearly amounted to a "little more than hundred thousand rupees," said Mr. M. Nizar from UNICEF, who went on to explain that the funds were utilised to erect pre-school buildings and dig tube wells, both in the North and East. This year too the money will be used in similar fashion. The organisers invited anybody who is interested to come and view these projects.

Tickets priced at Rs. 300, 200 and 100 will be available at Torana Music Centre, Ceylinco Insurance Corporation and Trans Asia Hotel. Be there on the 20th to catch the action and to make a difference in the life of a child.

Visakhians break new ground

Young Visakhians have launched into business management - not to challenge the opposite sex but to know and understand more in this exciting field. Calling their organization "The Visa Wise Company", these young lasses while yet in school, have thought it useful to be aware of the methods and systems that go to make a success in commercial enterprise.

The Visa Wise Company organized and conducted its first symposium recently at the Sagami International Hall in Dehiwala. Well-known businessman Patrick Amarasinghe has lent his leadership to this young enterprise supported by Mr. Premasiri Weliwita.

In its three months of operation, the Visa Wise Company achieved a net profit of over fifty thousand rupees by the purchase and sale of Elephant House ice cream as an experimental project.

The Board of Directors of the Visa Wise Company are: Upeka Caldera (President), Shivandani Liyanage (Secretary), Roshini Chandrasekera (Asst. Secretary), Shona Ranatunge (Director, Finance) Thavisha Alwis (Director Marketing), Ruvani Wijenayake (Director, Human Resources) and Theekshana Disanayake (Director - Production).

These officials automatically vacate their position as soon as they leave school and will be replaced by yet another senior group in the school, which means it is an on-going process, offering them a sound practical training in business. The symposium ended with an evening of music.

Journalism, is it for you?

By Wathsala Mendis

Never did I think that one day I would become a newspaper reporter or, least of all, that someday I would have to write about my job. Yeah, it's one of those chance happenings in life which takes you by complete surprise. Or, as in my case, shall I say a pleasant surprise. What makes journalism one of the most coveted jobs around?

Newspaper journalism is often thought of as glamorous and exciting. Glamorous? Maybe, to some. Exciting? You bet! But, get this straight. As with any other occupation, success and recognition come only after much hard work and routine activity. This is one area which draws on all the knowledge and skills you have ever acquired. In return, it gives you a tremendous sense of satisfaction and achievement.

For some people, the enthusiasm they feel till they first see their byline in print, gradually fizzles out. They soon become automatons who just churn out stories. Let me tell you, journalism is not for them. To be a good reporter, it is essential that you really want to do the job. A genuine, lively interest in people, places and events and the ability to put that into clear simple language that appeals to the reader will take you a long way in this field.

The gift of the gab is very useful for a reporter but even more vital is the ability to listen to people and listen carefully. Information is collected either over the phone or through personal interviews. Shorthand skills would always prove invaluable. Once adequate information is gathered, you then input your story into the computer. An interesting story does not just drop out of the sky. Skill is needed to grab the reader's attention and keep it through to the end.

The variety is the best part. Every day is different, a challenge. You never know what's going to happen. Reporters should be adaptable. They'll find themselves covering stories from refugees, armed robberies, gruesome killings, environmental pollution to fashion and golden wedding celebrations. One day they'll be talking to a shant- dweller, while the next day it may just be the President.

Only a handful of other jobs give one the opportunity to meet loads of interesting people and go to so many different places and get paid for that! But, hey, it's never easy. You have to get your facts right, double-check your information, give both sides of the story, and, yes, meet deadlines. There would be times when the news editor or the features editor is screaming at you for being late with your copy. The pressure really gets your goat! Still, you cannot get away with a slipshod job. You have to do it and do it RIGHT. Accuracy, brevity and clarity, it is said, are the ABC of journalism.

So how do you convince an editor you're worth appointing (which, believe me, was not the easiest job in the world with my editor!). You'll have to be able to demonstrate an interest in current affairs at all levels, an ability to write in a style which is easy to understand (not to impress your reader), strong language skills-good spelling, grammar, punctuation a willingness to accept irregular hours, an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines, and last but not least, determination and persistence.

It is not essential to have a degree to get into journalism. But the more you're qualified, the better off you will be. If you're selected to enter university, it would be advisable to take a degree first, maybe in English or Mass Communication itself. Not so much for the paper qualifications but because it sharpens your knowledge and builds up your confidence. For those who were not lucky enough to enter university, there's the "Diploma Course in Journalism and Communication" conducted by the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (100, Independence Square, Colombo 7/ Tel:687506). The Aquinas College of Higher Studies (990 Maradana Road, Colombo 8/ Tel:694014) too offers a six-month diploma with evening classes twice a week. The Journalism Unit at the University of Colombo also has a one-year Diploma Course in Journalism on Saturday mornings for freelance journalists who have three years experience. When it comes to newspaper journalism, it's the survival of the most committed and the most able.

Off the record, folks!

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