“There are problems in the country that can be resolved only with the help of the voluntary organisations. There is a need to change the mentality towards the organisations that are truly working for the betterment of the society. They can do a miracle,? said Shri Dina Nath Tewari, Deputy Chairman of Chhattisgarh Planning Commission. He was releasing the first issue of The Fifth Pillar, an English magazine, in New Delhi on November 27. The Fifth Pillor is published by Social Action Through Integrated Network (SATHI). Its Hindi edition, Panchwa Stambha, has completed one year.
Shri Tewari pointed out that a total of 301 laws were changed during the NDA regime with the help of the voluntary organisations and it helped the nation increase GDP growth from three per cent to eight per cent. He said the Chhattisgarh Government is today able to save 60 per cent of the rainwater in the state only because of the cooperation of the voluntary organisations. ?As a result not a single industry was closed down in the state and more than 500 new industries were set up. It is our experience if the efforts are made honestly, positive outcome is certain. If the voluntary organisations come forward, the change will definitely come,? he added.
Speaking on the occasion, noted writer and former chairperson of Central Social Welfare Board, Smt. Mridula Sinha said she wishes to highlight the activities of the voluntary organisations which are rendering valuable services to the nation through Panchwa Stambha and The Fifth Pillar. She said the media today ignore the good works being done by social and voluntary organisations. She said she wants to promote positive ideas and democratic values through both the magazines. Noted Hindi writer Smt. Asharani Vohra wished both the magazines to become a bridge between the society and the government.
Shri Ashok Tandon, director, Makhanlal Chaturvedi Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, said one should not have much expectations from the present government and the media as both are struggling for their existence. The whole media has completely been commercialised and no newspaper or the news channel is concerned about the society. ?Those who are rendering good services to the society need to publish their own magazines if they wish to publicise their activities. And this will be the best answer to the fourth pillar of democracy,? he added. Former Union Minister Dr Ramkripal Sinha also spoke on the occasion.
(FOC)
