-Only knowing the truth is not enough. A journalist must have the courage to bring it forth and also stand strictly by what he writes. Shri Bhanupratap Shukla did have these qualities and followed them perfectly throughout his life. He was endowed with the quality of identifying and developing the talent of people,? said RSS Sarsanghachalak Shri K.S. Sudarshan while presenting the first Bhanupratap Shukla Smriti Rashtradharma Samman to two noted literary persons?Shri Harikrishan Nigam (Mumbai) for Hindi and Shri Satyapal Krishanrao Patait (Nagpur) for Marathi, in New Delhi on September 2. The Samman, which consists of a cheque of Rs 21,000, a shawl and a memento each, was jointly presently by Hindusthan Samachar, a multi-lingual news agency and Rashtradharma, Lucknow. Shri Sudarshan presented the Samman to both the persons.
Scores of literary persons, intellectuals and scholars from various parts of the country were present on the occasion. Former Union HRD Minister and senior BJP leader Dr Murli Manohar Joshi presided over the function. A book, Rashtra Jagran ke Swar, written by the late Bhanupratap Shukla was also released at the function. This book is based on Shri Shukla'sarticles published in Dainik Jagran.
Expressing concern over the growing tendency of negativity in journalism, Shri Sudarshan said criticism in journalism should be based on principles and not at the individual level. ?Merely becoming a journalist is not enough for the service of the nation. Service to the nation is a feeling, which develops from the heart. The journalism of Bhanuji shows the path to all journalists,? the Sarsanghachalak said quoting some passages from the articles of Bhanuji.
Referring to negative journalism, Shri Sudarshan said hardly .005 per cent negative incidents are reported everyday. But when the people see the next day'snewspapers they find as if only negative incidents happened the previous day. ?What kind of picture of the country do we want to present to the world? It appears both the media and the mediapersons are bent upon destroying the Indian culture. When Prime Minister of the country makes an announcement that Muslims have the first right over the national resources, the Hindus feel as if they are second-class citizen. Not only this, the government is making all efforts to instil a negative feeling in younger generation through textbooks in schools,? he added.
Presiding over the function, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi said the people inspired by nationalist thinking should emphasise on protecting and preserving the ashmita and identity of the nation and they should not run after power. If they are success in preserving both these things the power would automatically come to them. ?Bhanuji had realised this truth and that is why he always stressed on tatva and not at tantra. He used to say if we protect tatva, tantra would automatically develop. In fact identifying tatva and worshiping it continuously is the true service to the nation and the truth,? he said further adding that Bhanuji was a rare diamond but he was thrown on the streets.
Referring to the late Shri Ambika Prasad Vajpayee, Dr Joshi pointed out when Bhanuji went to Shri Vajpayee for learning editorial skills, he clearly told him (Bhanuji) that an editor should keep in mind that first he should not think about throwing stones and if he once decides, he should never bother as to whom and how severely the stones will hit. Bhanuji followed this mantra throughout his life. Expressing concern over the government onslaughts on Indian culture, Dr Joshi said the integrity of the nation would be in danger if this trend continued.
Speaking on the occasion, Sadhvi Ritambhara, founder of Vatsalya Gram, said it was Bhanuji who first addressed her as ?Didima?. She said the country today needs the policy of sangharsh and sanhar as adopted by Shri Krishna. She said at the time when today'sjournalism is creating ideological chaos all around, the articles of Shri Bhanuji provide both disha (direction) and drishti (sight). His articles are the best example of nationalist journalism, she added.
After receiving the Samman Shri Harikrishan Nigam who writes columns in Dainik Jagran, Navjyoti, Ranchi Express, etc., described Bhanuji as an ideal journalist and said his articles inspired him very much. Shri Satyapal Krishanrao Patait has already been honoured by the President of India with Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Puraskar. Shri Anand Mohan Chaudhri, director of Rashtradharam, Shri Anand Mishra Abhay, editor of Rashtradharma, Shri Ramshankar Agnihotri, chairman of Hindusthan Samachar, Dr Nand Kishore Trikha, secretary of Hindusthan Samachar and Shri Kuldip Agnihotri of Hindusthan Samachar were also present on the occasion.
