MUMBAI: Language journalism should bear the responsibility of preserving Indian ethos, Indian joint family system and preventing the westernisation of society, because therein lies the key to India'ssustainable and inclusive economic growth, said Shri S. Gurumurthy, veteran journalist and all-India co-convener of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch. He was delivering the keynote address at a function organised by the Mumbai bureau of Hindusthan Samachar to release a publication named ?India'sGrowth Story: How to make it Sustainable and Inclusive?? on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee.
The book was released by Shri Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, Chairman Bhaskar Group, Bhopal. He was the Chief Guest of the function organised at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai.
Shri Gurumurthy, in his thought provoking speech, reviewed economic progress of various countries and emphasised that a constantly fluctuating and unsustainable share market, which contributes only four per cent towards GDP, cannot be the yardstick to gauge progress. He lamented the proportionately large media coverage that the share market, which contributes so little towards national growth, gets. He went on to say that the Indian social and family systems had inbuilt capacity to sustain the family, village and social economy. These were never dependent on the support of the rulers. The Indian rural economy has the capacity to sustain but this was sought to be destroyed by the Britishers without presenting an alternative model. Westernisation will only destroy India'scapacity to achieve inclusive growth. The responsibility of protecting Indian systems and culture lies to a large extent with the Indian language media, he said.
Earlier, Shri Ramesh Chandra Agarwal, Chairman, Bhaskar Group, Bhopal said in his speech that the English media was totally cut off from the sentiments of the large populace of this country. Taking stalk of the real issues confronting the vast rural and language speaking majority is today'sintellectual necessity. This can be fulfilled only by those who are attached to the feelings of the vast majority of this country. He said that language media is the best suited for this and then cautioned against imitating the English media. Hindusthan Samachar will have to take upon itself the responsibility of fulfilling this task said Shri Agarwal and wished it all success.
Shri Kuldeep Agnihotri, while speaking earlier reasoned out the ideology of Hindusthan Samachar behind promoting Indian language media. He said that the Indian languages are the best equipped to preserve the Indianness of this country. Shri Agnihotri is a renowned scholar, prolific writer and incharge of Navotthan Feature Service of Hindusthan Samachar.
Veteran journalists Shri Vishwanath Sachdev, Shri Kundanbhai Vyas, Shri Sudhakar Raje and Shri Vasantrao Deshpande were honoured on the occasion.
Shri Ashok Chougule, renowned industrialist, All India Vice-President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and President of Hindusthan Samachar Swarna Mahotsav Ayojan Samiti, Mumbai presided over the function. Shri Arun Joshi, working president of the Samiti proposed the vote of thanks. Shri Satish Marathe, secretery of the Samiti conducted the proceedings.
Shri Ram Naik, Shri Ved Prakash Goyal, both former ministers in the Vajpayee government, Shri Anand Shankar Pandya, renowned businessman, Shri Shantilal Somaiya, educationist, Shri Shrikantji Joshi, member, Kendriya Karyakarini, RSS and other dignitaries were present at the functhon. (FOC)
