Reporter interview - sample conversation

Reporter : Good morning Mr.Reddy! Nice to have you with us.

Reddy : Good morning Joe.

Joe : We heard that you are the officer in charge of tribal development. Could you tell us something about what you do?

Reddy : Well! I am in charge of tribal development in a certain remote area of Andhra Pradesh, a fast developing state in India. I act as a liaison between the state government and the tribals. I educate them and help them join the main stream.

Joe : Are they very much backward?

Reddy : Of course! At the same time I learnt a few things from them which a civilised man doesn’t know.

Joe : Interesting! Could you tell us something about this experience?

Reddy : With pleasure. During summer, in certain areas we experience water scarcity. The water in ponds or open wells becomes turbid. It is rather unfit for drinking. The tribal people collect the gums and small pieces of wood from a particular tree and drop them
in the turbid water. Within an hour the water becomes clear and potable.

Joe : Have you identified the tree?

Reddy : Not yet. They are still reluctant to reveal the secret!

Joe : What did you do then?

Reddy : I collected the few pieces of wood that were used and consulted the scientists in the Institute for Botanical Research. They experimented on them and found that the particular piece of wood can absorb any metal or mineral in water.

Joe : Don’t you think it is a great discovery?

Reddy : Indeed it is! I am proud to say that the tribals of our country have great knowledge of herbal medicines and plants.

Joe : How do you think it will help your country?

Reddy : If we could identify the tree and market the gum and pieces of wood in large scale, the scarcity of drinking water will get reduced. Secondly we could even export it to other countries.

Joe : Wish you good luck Mr.Reddy! Thank You.