IGNOU BHDM-161 Solved Question Paper PDF Download

IGNOU BHDM-161 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

IGNOU BHDM-161 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in English

Q1. Explain the meaning of Reportage and analyze its elements.

Ans. Introduction: The word ‘Reportage’ originates from the French language and means a literary and artistic description of an event. It is a genre that lies between journalism and literature. In a reportage, the writer is a witness to an event and presents it not only with facts but also with his/her sensibilities and literary style, so that the reader not only knows about the event but also feels it. It is not a dry reporting of an event but its poignant and vivid portrayal. The main elements of a reportage are as follows:

• Factuality: The foundation of a reportage is based on facts. It cannot be fictional. The event, characters, and places described in it must be real.
• First-hand Experience: It is essential for the writer to be present at the scene of the event and witness it with their own eyes. It is based on the writer’s personal experiences and feelings.
• Artistry and Literary Quality: To make the reportage readable and effective, it incorporates literary language, style, and artistry. The writer may use a narrative style, imagery, symbols, and metaphors.
• Sensitivity and Human Angle: The writer does not just view the event neutrally but brings out its human aspect with sensitivity. The aim is to touch the reader’s heart.
• Narrative Element: A good reportage has a story-like flow. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end that keeps the reader engaged.
• Purpose: The purpose of a reportage is not just to inform but also to draw attention to a social, political, or humanitarian issue and to build public opinion.

For example, Rangey Raghav’s ‘Toofano ke Beech’ (In the Midst of Storms) is a poignant reportage based on the Bengal famine, which expresses the writer’s deep sensitivity along with facts.

Q2. Explain the difference between Reportage, Feature, and Essay with examples.

Ans. Reportage, Feature, and Essay are all important genres of prose writing, but they differ from each other in their nature, purpose, and style. The differences between them can be understood based on the following points:

• Subject Matter and Author’s Role:
  • Reportage: It is based on an eye-witnessed event. The author is necessarily a reporter and a witness. Its basis is a real, immediate event. Example: Phanishwarnath ‘Renu’s’ ‘Rinjal Dhanjal’ is a vivid portrayal of flood and drought events.
  • Feature: Its subject can be broad – a person, place, institution, or any interesting topic. It is not necessary for the writer to be a witness. They can write based on research and interviews. Example: An interesting article on the street food of Delhi.
  • Essay: It is a well-structured and logical presentation of the author’s thoughts on a topic. It is based on knowledge, logic, and analysis, not on an event. Example: A thoughtful article on ‘The Impact of Social Media on Youth’.
• Style and Language:
  • Reportage: Its style is very personal, sensitive, and narrative. It emotionally connects the reader to the event.
  • Feature: Its style is creative, entertaining, and simple. Its purpose is to present information in an interesting way.
  • Essay: Its style is generally serious, logical, and analytical. Special emphasis is placed on the logical sequence of ideas.
• Purpose:
  • Reportage: Its purpose is to emotionally move the reader by highlighting the human aspect of the event.
  • Feature: Its main purpose is to inform, entertain, and familiarize the reader with the depth of the subject.
  • Essay: Its purpose is to present deep contemplation on a topic, enhance knowledge, and establish a particular viewpoint.

In short, a reportage is written from the

heart

, a feature to appeal to the

mind (in an entertaining way)

, and an essay addresses the

intellect

.

Q3. Write a story of 800 words on any topic.

Ans. Story: The Last Bird of the City Everyone thought Rambharose ji was crazy. Over seventy years of age, thick glasses on his eyes, and his daily routine of walking around the nearby park with a small bag of millet – that was his life. In this concrete jungle, where even the sky peeked through the tips of tall buildings, Rambharose ji searched for birds. People would laugh, “Uncle, even crows are hard to find now, and you’re looking for sparrows!” But Rambharose ji had hope. The Lucknow of his childhood wasn’t like this. Every morning began with the chirping of birds. Flocks of sparrows would peck at grains in the courtyard. Today, his grandson saw birds only in books. One day, a miracle happened. On the oldest, half-dry neem tree in the park, he saw a fluttering brown bird. A sparrow! A light shone in Rambharose ji’s old eyes. With trembling hands, he scattered the millet. The bird was scared at first, then slowly descended and began to peck at the grains. After that day, it became an unbreakable ritual. Rambharose ji called her ‘Chiraiya’ (little bird). She was alone, perhaps separated from her flock, or perhaps she was the last one left in this city. She became the center of his life. He would talk to her, narrate stories of his childhood. Chiraiya too began to recognize him. She would fly down from the tree as soon as he arrived. But this happiness did not last long. One day, a board was put up outside the park – “Under the Urban Development Project, this park will be beautified. Old and dry trees will be cut down to be replaced with new ones.” Rambharose ji’s heart sank. His neem tree was also on that list. He pleaded a lot, submitted applications, and visited the builder’s office. Everyone rebuffed him. “So much fuss for a dry tree! The city’s development cannot stop for you.” And then one morning, what he had feared happened. The harsh sound of bulldozers and saws broke his sleep. He ran to the park, but it was too late. The neem tree lay on the ground, its bare branches as if asking a question to the sky. Rambharose ji looked around, Chiraiya was nowhere to be seen. He sat there until evening, calling for her. But she did not return. After that day, Rambharose ji stopped going to the park. He would sit quietly in his balcony, staring at the sky. One evening, he saw a small child from the neighboring flat drawing something on the ground with chalk. He went closer and saw it was a picture of a tiny sparrow. The child looked up at him and asked innocently, “Grandpa, does it look real?” Tears streamed down Rambharose ji’s eyes. He bent down and caressed the chalk bird, then patted the child’s head. Perhaps Chiraiya was gone, but she was still alive in someone’s memory, in someone’s art. The city might have lost its last bird, but a grain of hope still remained.

Q4. Define ‘Feature’ and throw light on its importance.

Ans. Definition: A feature is a modern genre of prose writing that is different from news. While news presents only the factual aspects of an event, such as ‘what, when, where, who’, a feature sheds light on the ‘why and how’ of the event, as well as its human and emotional aspects. It is a well-organized, creative, and subjective article whose purpose is not only to inform the readers but also to entertain and educate them. In a feature, the writer can use their emotions, thoughts, and imagination, which makes it interesting rather than dull. Importance of Feature: The feature is an essential part of modern journalism. Its importance is evident from the following points:

• In-depth Information: A feature delves deep into a subject and analyzes it. It is not superficial like news; instead, it provides detailed information on various aspects of the topic, its background, and future implications.
• Entertainment and Interest: Due to its narrative style, simple language, and creative presentation, a feature keeps the readers engaged. It makes even dry subjects entertaining, thus sustaining the reader’s interest.
• Unveiling the Human Aspect: A feature often touches upon human sensibilities and emotions. It presents social problems or events through personal stories, which helps the reader connect with the subject on an emotional level.
• Awareness and Education: Features written on social issues, scientific discoveries, health-related information, or cultural topics play an important role in spreading awareness and educating readers.
• Reader Engagement: Good features become the hallmark of any newspaper or magazine. They build a strong relationship between the readers and the publication because readers derive both knowledge and entertainment from them.

Thus, a feature brings freshness and depth to the world of news and makes journalism more humane and readable.

Q5. How is a ‘Feature’ different from other genres? Give a reasoned answer.

Ans. A feature holds a distinct and separate identity from other literary genres due to its mixed nature. It is a unique blend of journalistic and literary qualities. Its distinctiveness can be clearly understood by comparing it with other genres: 1. Feature vs. News:

• Purpose: The purpose of news is to provide immediate information (what, when, where it happened). The purpose of a feature is to entertain and go into the depth of a subject, along with providing information.
• Style: News is written in the ‘inverted pyramid’ style, where the most important facts come first. A feature has no fixed style; it can be narrative, descriptive, or in any other creative form.
• Language: The language of news is objective, flat, and factual. The language of a feature can be literary, emotional, and picturesque.

2. Feature vs. Essay:

• Nature: An essay is a serious, intellectual, and logical genre, dominated by the writer’s thoughts and arguments. A feature is light, entertaining, and informative.
• Flexibility: The structure of an essay is more formal. The structure of a feature is very flexible and can easily incorporate photographs, graphics, and interview excerpts.

3. Feature vs. Reportage:

• Writer’s Presence: In a reportage, it is mandatory for the writer to be an eyewitness to the event. It is a live, first-hand report. A feature writer does not need to be an eyewitness; it can be based on research and interviews.
• Emotional Intensity: Reportage has a very high emotional intensity and intimacy; it takes the reader directly into the event. A feature is comparatively less intense and can be more analytical.

Reasoned Conclusion:

The uniqueness of a feature lies in its

‘hybrid’

character. It maintains factual accuracy like news, can be somewhat analytical like an essay, and touches human sensitivities like a reportage, but above all, it is an

entertaining and creative

presentation. Its flexibility and ability to assimilate various elements are what make it different from all other genres and so popular.

Q6. What do you understand by ‘Social Feature’? What materials do you need to collect for writing one?

Ans. Meaning of Social Feature: A social feature is a form of feature writing that focuses on an issue, problem, trend, or a positive change related to society. Its main objective is to draw the readers’ attention to a social topic, make them sensitive to it, and create public awareness about it. Subjects like child labor, women’s empowerment, environmental pollution, mental health, problems of the elderly, and caste discrimination fall under the category of social features. It does not just highlight the problem but also sheds light on its causes, consequences, and possible solutions. Materials Required for Writing a Social Feature: Writing an effective social feature requires in-depth research and the collection of various types of materials. These materials are as follows:

• Data and Facts: For the authenticity of the topic, it is necessary to gather accurate facts and figures from government reports, surveys, NGO data, and research papers. These provide a solid foundation for the feature.
• Expert Interviews: Including the views and analysis of sociologists, doctors, lawyers, activists, or experts in the relevant field by interviewing them provides depth and credibility to the feature.
• Case Studies: Personal experiences and stories of ordinary people affected by or associated with the issue (case studies) add a human element to the feature. These help in connecting the readers to the problem on an emotional level.
• Historical and Current Context: It is necessary to analyze the historical context of the problem and its current status. This helps the reader understand the roots of the problem.
• Photographs and Visuals: Relevant pictures, graphics, or videos make the feature more impactful and lively. A single picture can often say more than a thousand words.
• Observation and Personal Experience: If possible, the writer should visit the location or community to observe the situation firsthand. Personal experience brings authenticity and sensitivity to the writing.

Only by using all these materials in a balanced and creative way can a powerful and effective social feature be prepared.

Q7. Explaining the difference between ‘Book Review’ and ‘Critique’, throw light on the various aspects of a book review.

Ans. Difference between ‘Book Review’ and ‘Critique’: Often, book review and critique are considered the same, but there are fundamental differences in their purpose, audience, and level of analysis.

• Purpose and Audience: The main purpose of a book review is to introduce a new book to the general readers and help them decide whether they should read it or not. In contrast, a critique is intended for an academic or serious literary audience. It presents a deep, theoretical, and comparative analysis of a work.
• Presentation: A review is more informative and descriptive. It includes a summary of the book’s story or subject matter, a note on the writing style, and a brief introduction to the author. A critique is more analytical. It evaluates the work by placing it in the context of literary theories, historical references, and other works.
• Depth: A review is, in a way, an ‘introduction’ to the book, while a critique is its ‘post-mortem’. A critique involves a micro-analysis of the work’s structure, craft, language, symbolism, and philosophical aspects.

Various Aspects of a Book Review:

A good book review should include the following aspects:

1. Initial Information: First, basic information like the book’s title, author’s name, publisher, price, and number of pages is provided.
2. Introduction to the Subject and Synopsis: The review begins by clarifying the central theme or idea of the book. In the case of fiction, a brief summary of the story is given in such a way that the reader’s curiosity is maintained (without revealing the main suspense).
3. Analytical Aspect: This part evaluates various elements of the book, such as:
   • Plot and Characters: How is the plot woven? How vivid and believable are the characters?
   • Writing Style: What is the author’s language like – simple, complex, poetic, or satirical? How are the descriptions and dialogues?
   • Structure and Craft: How is the book structured? Is the narrative flow smooth?
4. Positive and Negative Points: A balanced review honestly comments on both the strengths and weaknesses of the book.
5. Comparative Remark: The book can be compared with the author’s other works or with other important books in the same genre.
6. Conclusion and Recommendation: Finally, the reviewer presents their overall opinion and suggests what kind of readers the book is suitable for and why they should read it.

Q8. Express your views on ‘Photograph’/’Photography’.

Ans. A ‘Chhayachitra’, which we commonly call a photograph or picture, is not just a chemically coated image on paper, but a magical attempt to freeze time. In my view, the role and significance of a photograph are multifaceted, extending from a document to an expression of art. As a Document: The first and most obvious form of a photograph is the recording of reality. It is an authentic document of a moment, event, person, or place. Its role in preserving important historical events, family memories, and scientific discoveries is unique. The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” underlines its documentary power. It shows us a world that no longer exists and reminds us of faces that have changed over time. As an Expression of Art: A photograph is not just a record of reality; it is also an expression of the photographer’s vision. The same scene can be captured in completely different ways by two different photographers. Composition, light, angle, and the choice of the right moment can turn an ordinary scene into a work of art. It is indicative of the photographer’s perspective, their sensitivity, and their ability to tell a story. It can evoke emotions, be thought-provoking, and provide an experience of beauty. As a Medium for Social Change: Photojournalism has often served to shake the world and bring about social change. A powerful picture showing the horrors of war, the pain of famine, or social injustice can awaken the conscience of governments and society. It gives a voice to the silent victims and brings distant problems into our living rooms. Photography in the Modern Era: In today’s smartphone era, photography has become more democratic. Everyone is a photographer. While this has increased the number of pictures, it has perhaps somewhat diminished their value. Digital editing and filters have blurred the line between reality and illusion. Ultimately, for me, a photograph is a bridge—between the past and the present, between reality and imagination, and between the viewer’s eye and the world. It is a silent storyteller that says a lot without uttering a single word.

Q9. Prepare ten questions for an interview with a litterateur.

Ans. Following are ten questions prepared for an interview with a distinguished litterateur. The aim of these questions is not just to get factual information, but to deeply understand their writing process, their thought process, and their perspective on literature:

1. How did your writing journey begin? What was the first event, person, or inspiration that made you feel you should write?
2. What is your creative process? Do you follow a disciplined routine, or do you wait for an idea or emotion to strike before you write?
3. What was the central idea behind your recently published work, [Name of the work]? What dialogue do you wish to establish with readers and society through this work?
4. Your characters often feel very alive and close to reality. How do you create these characters? Are they inspired by real people around you, or are they entirely fictional?
5. In today’s digital age, where people’s attention spans are very short, how do you see the future of literature? What are the challenges and opportunities for a writer in this era?
6. Which contemporary trends in Hindi literature make you most hopeful, and which ones worry you?
7. In your long journey as a writer, what have you considered the biggest challenge—finding moments of creativity, finding a publisher, or getting your message across to the readers?
8. Besides your own works, which Indian and foreign writers and their works have most influenced your thinking and writing?
9. In your view, what is the measure of a ‘successful’ work? Commercial success, literary awards, critical acclaim, or winning a place in the hearts of readers?
10. What one important piece of advice would you like to give to young writers who are dreaming of writing their first book and want to make their mark in the literary world?

Q10. Write short notes on any two of the following: (a) Cartoon (b) Crime Reporting (c) News and Views (d) Graphic

Ans. (a) Cartoon: A cartoon is a powerful visual art form filled with satire and humor. It is an image that often comments wittily on a person, event, or socio-political situation. In journalism, especially in newspapers, a cartoon, though printed in a small corner, has the potential to be more impactful than a full-page editorial. Its strength lies in its simplification. It communicates complex issues to the common person through a simple sketch and a few words. R.K. Laxman’s ‘Common Man’ is an excellent example of this, as he delivered sharp critiques of the system without saying a word. A cartoonist uses symbols, exaggeration (caricature), and humor to convey their message. It is an important medium for freedom of expression in a democracy.

(b) Crime Reporting: Crime reporting is a specialized and challenging branch of journalism that covers news related to crime, police action, legal proceedings, and the justice system. A crime reporter not only needs to have a sharp nose for news but also a basic understanding of the law (like FIR, chargesheet, sections of the IPC). The main sources of information in this field are the police, hospitals, courts, lawyers, and victims. Factual accuracy and objectivity are extremely important in crime reporting. It is expected to be handled with sensitivity rather than sensationalism, as it is directly related to people’s pain and tragedy. This genre alerts society to crimes and also functions as a civic watchdog over the law and order system.

(c) News and Views: ‘News’ and ‘Views’ are two distinct and important pillars of journalism.

• News: News is concerned with facts. It is an objective and factual presentation of an event. It answers the questions: ‘what, when, where, who, why, how’. A good news report has no place for the reporter’s own opinion, emotion, or analysis. Its sole purpose is to provide the reader with accurate and impartial information.
• Views: Views are concerned with analysis, interpretation, and opinion. Editorials, articles, columns, and reviews fall under this category. In these, the writer presents a personal or institutional perspective on the news or a particular subject. The purpose is to provoke thought and provide a specific perspective on an issue.

Journalistic ethics demand that news and views be kept clearly separate so that the reader can distinguish between fact and opinion.

(d) Graphic: In modern journalism, a ‘graphic’ or ‘infographic’ (information graphic) is a powerful visual medium for presenting information. It converts complex data, statistics, processes, or events into simple, attractive, and easily understandable visual formats (like charts, diagrams, maps, timelines). Its main purpose is to communicate information quickly and effectively. For example, presenting election result analysis through a pie chart or bar graph is more effective than explaining it in text alone. Similarly, a timeline graphic is used to explain the sequence of a major event. With the advent of digital media, interactive graphics have become even more popular, allowing readers to engage directly with the data and explore it in their own way.