Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): As the Election Commission of India arrived on Thursday for a two-day visit to review the preparedness for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir at SKICC in Srinagar, the venue turned into a hub of media activity.
Since the early morning hours on Thursday, journalists from print, electronic, and social media outlets lined outside the entrance gate, eager to glean any information from the closed-door discussions between representatives of political parties and ECI taking place inside at SKICC in Srinagar.
Although the scene outside the venue painted a picture of perseverance under tough conditions for media men as the scorching heat was relentless, yet, the journalists remained undeterred, despite the absence of water or nearby shops to offer any form of relief.
A senior journalist working with a national media organisation told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that he had covered several events like that in the past but that the ongoing scorching heat this time posed a big-time challenge for him.
"There is nothing new in covering events like these at SKICC, but this time it was challenging because of the ongoing heatwave. There are not even shops nearby where one can fetch a bottle of water," he said.
Without a place to retreat from the heat, reporters and cameramen were seen sitting on the roadside pavements or even on the dividers in the middle of the road, seeking a brief moment of comfort for their aching backs.
Every time a political leader exited the venue, a surge of activity ensued. Microphones and cameras thrust forward as the journalists scrambled to capture every word, every gesture, hoping to piece together the information of what was happening inside.
Huddled in small groups, some journalists were seen discussing the possible outcomes of the meetings, while others simply sat in silence, conserving their energy for the next burst of activity.
A journalist working with a local daily told KNO that this was his first time covering such an event and was full of excitement for the assignment.
He also said that the heat is "bothering a lot".
Several other media men on the site covering the story stated that the lack of nearby shops turned the scene into a microcosm of the broader challenges with the nearest refreshing source too far to reach without missing crucial developments.
A senior journalist said that this visit by the Election Commission was seen as a significant development about the long-awaited assembly elections in the region, and no one wants to miss a single detail.
"I appreciate the young journalists for their commitment and dedication," he said, adding that the "unforgiving sun" and lack of facilities took a toll on "both my body and spirit"—(KNO)