“SAGE Narada who is considered to be the first and finest journalist, had a purpose. Whenever there was any incident he was there. But he was always conscious about what information has to be given and to whom it has to be given. Social welfare was his basic motto,” said Shri R Balashankar, editor of Organiser Weekly. He was speaking at the Narada Jayanti celebration in New Delhi on May 29. The function was organised by Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra (IVSK).
Apart from celebrating the Narada Jayanti, the Samvad Kendra also honoured two leading journalists of Delhi-Shri Arabinda Ghose, a freelancer, and Shri Jagdish Upasane, associate editor of India Today for their outstanding contribution to journalism. A souvenir Disha 2010, was also released on the occasion. Prominent among those who were present on the occasion included Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS Dr Manmohan Vaidya, president of Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra Shri Ashok Sachdeva and many prominent journalists, writers and distinguished persons.
Citing several irresponsible and misleading reports carried by several leading newspapers of Delhi during the last couple of weeks, Shri R Balashankar said what is missing in the media today is the feeling of nationalism. He also drew the attention to massive distortion taking place in Indian history. On the emerging trends in media he said money has become a more important factor and the media is fast losing its reputation and credibility. “Once investigative stories used to be the first lead in newspapers, but now advertisements and propaganda take the space of lead stories. What the corporate says becomes the front page news,” he said adding that in such a situation the teachings of Sage Narada become relevant as an alternative role model.
Former editor of Organiser, Shri Seshadri Chari said whatever a journalist writes should be correct. Describing Sage Narada as an effective communicator he said the interest of the country and the society should be supreme which is, unfortunately, missing in today’s media. “Today the newspapers and the people associated with them are losing their credibility. It will not be good for the country. What Narada did was positive reporting,” he said. Delhi Prant Sanghachalak Shri Ramesh Prakash Sharma pointed out that there are 36 Samvad Kendras across the country today. Shri Vagish Issar, secretary of IVSK conducted the proceedings.
Speaking at a function organised in Lucknow the same day Shri Vishnu Prakash, associate editor of Dainik Jagran, said a journalist is truly a watchman of the nation. Appealing to the journalists to draw inspiration from Narad, he said a journalist must be committed to the nation and the society. The function was presided over by noted journalist and former Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya Shri Achyutanand Mishra. Dr Shail Mishra of Film Institute Emitus was the distinguished guest on the occasion. Editor of Kalakunj Bharati and founder member of Rashtradharma Shri Bajrang Sharan Tewari, freelancer Shri Nirankar Singh, photo journalist of Hindusthan Samachar Shri Sushil Sahai, Sushri Ranjana of ETV were honoured on the occasion.
Speaking at a function organised in Varanasi on May 28, Vice Chancellor of Makhanlal Chaturvedi Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya Prof. Brij Kishore Kuthiala described sage Narada as ‘public communicator’. He expressed concern over the commercialisation of media. Noted TV actress and national secretary of BJP Smt Smriti Irani said the market today guides the media and it is not the journalists but the people of management who are largely responsible for the degradation in the media. A total of 15 media persons were honoured at the function. Prominent among them included Dr Dayanand, Shri Deenbandhu Rai, Shri Shashidhar Issar, Shri Santosh Mishra, Shri Yogesh Kumar, Shri Sourabh Chakravorty, Shri Pawan Singh, Shri G Prasad Nirala, Shri Umesh Gupt, Shri Shailesh Chaurasia, Shri Aniruddha Pandey, Shri Dharmendra Singh, etc.
The function in Dehradun was organised by Hindusthan Samachar. Speaker of Uttarakhand Assembly Shri Harbans Kapur presided over the function. Addressing the gathering Panchjanya editor Shri Baldevbhai Sharma said Narada promoted the journalism of social concerns. While moving in the universe he collected information, passed it on to the concerned persons and also tried to seek remedy of the public woes. He said the objective of today’s mediapersons should also be social concern.
Speaking at the function in Bhubaneswar veteran Sangh Pracharak Shrikant Joshi said the basic objective of mass communication should be Sarva Jan Sukhaya, Sarva Jan Hitaya. Noted columnist Shri Bhagirathi Mahasuar was honoured with the Narad Samman. Former editor of Oriya daily Samaj, Smt Manorama Mahapatra was also present on the occasion. A similar function was organised in Patna also by VSK.
(FOC)
