At barely 15 and 13, they are already writing their way into journalism. Aanya and Nitya Bhatt, who are from India, are passionate about the world that surrounds them. This is what they showcase on a weekly basis on their YouTube channel, ANN News Kids, which already boasts over 14,900 views!
What’s ANN News Kids?
“ANN”, which stands for “Aanya and Nitya”, is a wink to the CNN news channel. ANN News Kids takes a different approach to news, offering short videos in a bite-sized format, with colourful graphics and memes. The budding journalists who have been living in Mauritius for three years, even cook up a short segment in Mandarin! Since its launch in March 2020, the channel, which has 619 subscribers, published 136 videos on topics ranging from climate change to diplomatic relations.
News by kids, for kids
What is their motivation? Having lived in Kenya, Britain and Denmark, the duo believes that general knowledge of global trends is essential and that children and teenagers should be aware of the challenges and progress of society, because they embody the future. Sustainability is one of Aanya and Nitya’s favourite topics. “We only have one Earth,” they remind us. Talking about coral protection in their videos allows them, for example, to raise awareness among Mauritians. Soon, videos addressing the ecological crisis and sustainable practices will be dedicated to Mauritius. The adventure has been enriching for the sisters too. Among the many memorable encounters they have had, they mention interviews with Bippin Makoond of Farmer Of Creativity, India’s Commissioner to Mauritius, K. Nandini Singla, and Vinisha Umashankar, a 16-year-old girl from India who invented a solar ironing cart.
