First edition of Clear Cut Magazine unveiled at Jaishankar Memorial Centre in New Delhi

In a novel departure from the usual celebrity fanfare, the first edition of Clear Cut Magazine, an independent print and digital platform focusing on India's social development sector, was launched at the Jaishankar Memorial Centre (JMC), New Delhi. The launch was led by children from the remedial education programme of JMC, not by celebrities or public figures, which made the launch truly memorable. Their presence on stage was a reminder that the future of India rests with its young people and the voices that are too often pushed to the margins.

The event brought together Vidya Raghavan and Raghavan Srinivasan from the JMC Managing Team, along with JMC staff, well-wishers, and the children from economically weaker sections, who are at the centre of the JMC's transformative work.

Speaking at the launch, Vidya Raghavan praised the idea. She said, "Clear Cut Magazine could not have chosen a more meaningful way to begin its journey. It is very thoughtful to place children at the very heart of this launch. This moment captures the spirit of both JMC and the Clear Cut magazine: an India where social impact is not just an aspiration, but a lived reality."

Paresh Kumar, Managing Editor of Clear Cut Magazine, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to JMC for hosting the launch and said, "It was truly an honor to release our first issue at such an inspiring institution. He further added that this place is even more special because it was the premise from which he began his journey during the formative stage of his career. Having the children lead this launch was more than symbolic; it perfectly reflected our mission and the values we hope to carry forward."

Kumar went on to highlight the deep sense of shared vision between the two organizations: "The mission to honor Jaishankar's legacy by driving social change through education and community development resonates deeply with us. At Clear Cut, we believe in the power of stories to spark real action, and the stories being lived and written every single day at JMC are among the most powerful we've ever encountered."

About Clear Cut Magazine

Clear Cut is an independent print and digital magazine created by research and media professionals from India's social development sector. Clear Cut was founded with a simple purpose: to tell stories that matter. To tell stories grounded in data, evidence, and lived realities. Data can guide, but it is stories that move people to act.

Clear Cut seeks to amplify examples of change, highlight lessons from the ground up, and question where systems and policies fall short. Each edition brings together research, insights, and human experiences to sharpen the understanding of India's social journey—Sharp Analysis. Clear Voice.

This is the promise at the heart of Clear Cut. Each issue of Clear Cut is carefully woven around a central theme, bringing together fresh perspectives from researchers, practitioners, storytellers, and people with lived experiences.

With its commitment to "slow journalism", storytelling that is thoughtful, inclusive, and rooted in purpose, Clear Cut aims to spark meaningful conversations, bringing grassroots voices to the forefront, and help readers engage more deeply with the many layers of India's social realities.

As Paresh Kumar summed it up: "We believe real change begins with clear and courageous conversations. With Clear Cut, we hope to build a platform that doesn't just inform, but also inspires; lifting the voices that are shaping a more just and compassionate India."

A Symbolic Beginning

By choosing the children of JMC to lead the launch, Clear Cut Magazine sent out a clear message that India's future belongs to its youth. Their voices must shape the stories of change that tomorrow will remember.