A woman of substance

Jayshree Arora, A Star Beyond The Spotlight

Arishna Agarwal & Aaradhya Gupta, AIS VKC Lucknow, X B

Jayshree Arora is a renowned film, stage, and television actress who rose to fame with her iconic portrayal of Bhagwanti in Hum Log, India’s first soap opera which aired on Doordarshan and boasted of a viewership of more than 50 million viewers per episode. Arora is also a trained classical dancer in Kathak and Manipuri styles whose career is full of impactful roles in successful TV serials and films like Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli, Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, Chakde! India, Zid, Police Public, and Mujrim. She speaks to GT about her multi-faceted talents and her ‘hunger’ to keep going.

Call of destiny
I never thought I would become a professional actor during my childhood, even though I enjoyed participating in school plays. Growing up in a Bengali household, dance, music, poetry, and painting were integral part of my upbringing. My creative journey truly began when I started learning Kathak at the age of eleven. In fact, I received my first film offer when I was just twelve, but my father wanted me to complete my studies first. July 7, 1984 was a special day for me. I was working at Radio Kashmir, and on that day, I was asked to audition for Hum Log. There was no looking back since then.

Passion unlimited
I have always been dedicated towards my craft. I would often shoot for 12–13 hours a day. Yet, I found the time to pursue my other interests like gardening, cooking, yoga, and writing poetry. You can call me a ‘hungry’ artist; there is still so much more to achieve. Of course, I have faced challenges like every woman in my career, mainly because there is so much bias in the entertainment industry.When a man shows signs of aging, we think of him as experienced and handsome. But when a woman gets crow’s feet, she is considered old. This attitude needs to change.

Substance over glamour
Whether it is films or TV, we need more diverse storytelling where older women also have important roles. Even though we have so many soap operas today, I can never forget the value Hum Log brought to the television screen. It captured the imagination of a whole nation. The reason was that the characters were relatable and there was place for all age groups in the story about a middle class family. I have been fortunate to get some meaningful offers, though. In Jhoome Jiya Re, I portrayed a dancer whose conflict revolved around her granddaughter’s untapped talent.

Message for Amitians
Life is a path filled with hurdles, but they are meant to be overcome.  You must keep treading forward with determination and resilience. Challenges will come, but your passion will guide you through.

Amity-Japan partnership

Fostering Global Education And Industry Collaboration

AUUP

Amity University, Uttar Pradesh, welcomed a high-profile delegation from Okinawa Association of Corporate Executives, Japan, on February 21, 2025, to enhance student placements, research collaborations, and industry training initiatives. The visit underscored Amity’s commitment to global partnerships and innovation-driven education.
The Japanese delegation, comprising senior executives from leading corporations, engaged in strategic discussions with Amity’s leadership. They explored opportunities for consultancy, advanced training, and interdisciplinary research. A campus tour showcased Amity’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Amity Centre for Artificial Intelligence (ACAI), Amity Drone Centre (ADC), and the Automobile and Aeronautical Labs powered by Tata Technologies. The visitors commended these centres for their pioneering contributions to AI, drone technology, and automotive innovation, recognising their role in equipping students with industry-relevant skills.
Facilitated by the Amity Technical Placement Centre under Dr Anjani Kumar Bhatnagar, head, ATPC, the visit saw key contributions from Anupam Singh, assistant general manager, ATPC, and Banita Sajwan, deputy manager, Amity Business School. Discussions focused on fostering industry-academia synergy beyond placements, extending to joint research and consultancy.
Miki Fuchibe, chairman, JCC Corporation, praised Amity’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation. She acknowledged vice chancellor Dr Balvinder Shukla’s visionary leadership in fostering international collaborations. Dr Shukla emphasised Amity’s proactive approach in building partnerships across all prefectures of Japan, with a particular focus on Okinawa.
The delegation also met with heads of departments from various interdisciplinary domains. Additional insights on Amity’s global vision were shared by Prof (Dr) Sanjeev Bansal, addl pro vice chancellor & dean FMS, and Prof (Dr) SK Khatri, addl pro vice chancellor & dean academics.
The event concluded with felicitation ceremony, honouring Japanese delegates for their contribution and commitment to strengthen Indo-Japanese collaboration, marking a significant step toward a long-term and impactful partnership.