Dehradun, 7th August. This date will mark a new milestone in a career spanning two-decades for Dehradun’s own photographer and videographer Pawan Negi. In his late thirties now, Pawan was part of the team of ‘Counting Tiger’s,’ a documentary that will premier on the 7th of August, at 8pm, on National Geographic.

The only one from Uttarakhand to be part of the project, Pawan was handpicked by London-based company Optimum Television. Their debut documentary captures the herculean task of Tiger Census in two of India’s premier Tiger bastions the Dhikala, Motichur Range in Corbett National Park and Chilla Range that falls within the Rajaji Tiger Reserve.

Pawan Negi started off as a cameraman when he fell short of funds to pursue a career in Hotel Management, today he looks back with no regret, “I started my career as a camera assistant with ETV. I then moved to freelancing with Doordarshan. I have been handling cameras for close to two decades now, and have no complaints.”

Pawan worked closely with renowned wildlife experts Dr. YV Jhala of Wildlife Institute of India along with Director Upma Bhatnagar, Producer Manoj Bhatnagar, Cameramen Shivendra Gaur and Sujit Chaurasiya with Dilip Chaudhari on Sound on the documentary.

Working with the professional crew Pawan learnt along the way. He picked up, “new techniques and nuances about wildlife photography, meeting deadlines and sticking to a rigid schedule.”

As India is considered home to the magnificent animal, greatly admired, feared, worshipped and even hunted to decimation, the documentary closely captures Tiger Census that takes place every four years. Efforts made by officials, villagers on the periphery of the Tiger Reserves, forest guards studying tiger pug marks; grass cover, foliage, habitat, prey presence to put an exact number on the presence of the majestic feline is lauded and the umpteen challenges, highlighted in the documentary.

Walking away with the enriching experience, Pawan has made up his mind to explore the potential in wildlife photography for he believes, “Wildlife and Tourism have a lot of potential, and untold stories need to be told.”

Pithoragarh, Two young women Radio Jockeys have taken Community Radio on the Indo-Nepal border to a whole new level. Manju Tinkari and Ishwari Budhathoki live in Darchula in Nepal belong to the Rung tribal community, which has a large presence in the bordering district of Pithoragarh in India as well.

These talented girls air shows on radio in their native language called Runglwo that has found massive fan following on either side of the international borders.

Sharing their wonderful journey with us, Manju Tinkari, talks from her heart when she says, “It is important to speak one’s native language. It is our heritage that has been passed down by our ancestors. I am grateful to my friends who encouraged me to speak in my native language which is now gaining popularity with others from our tribe.”

Manju started off as a young intern with Community Radio when she was in Class 12^th and has today completed four fruitful years with Naya Nepal FM aired on 104.5 Megahertz.

On the other hand, 23-year-old Ishwari Budhathoki has been a radio journalist for Radio Naya Nepal FM for the past three years. Fluent in her native language, Ishwari is an icon for the younger generation who were loosing their hold on their language and culture. She tells us, “I never thought I would be a full time RJ and that too in Runglwo. But now, there is no stopping me! I enjoy my work thoroughly.”

Today, the Rung community on either side of the Indo-Nepal border is proud of these young prodigies. Yogesh Gabriyal speaks for everyone when he says “These young girls have taken the lead in keeping our language, tradition and culture alive. Though they come from across the border, they bring us solace and hope in the knowledge that our native Runglwo culture and language will not disappear all together.”