“THERE are various challenges before the country today. But there are some forces which do not want it to address them effectively. Earlier, they raised the issue of ‘Hindu terrorism’ and now they come out with a quite new theory of ‘saffron terrorism’. What is the meaning of saffron terrorism? I feel it is a ploy to divide the Hindu society as was done by the Britishers,” said RSS Sarkaryavah Shri Bhaiyaji Joshi. He was speaking at a function organised in Indore on August 27 to present Bapurao Lele Memorial Journalism Award.
Without naming anyone, Shri Joshi said the persons who are using the term of ‘saffron terrorism’ are conspiring against the Hindu society so that they can put the Hindus under scanner. Criticising this terminology he said it does not go with the traditional Indian society.
Expressing concern over the journalism converting into a commercial activity, Shri Joshi said presenting reality without any partiality, supporting anything which is justified and attacking anything which is unjustified, are the values of journalism. There should be self-respect in journalists not ego. It is the sad aspect of the present day journalism that now even the common man does not trust the media, he said. “Journalism needs to be given a direction that it works for generating awareness among people,” he said.
State Public Relations and Culture Minister Laxmikant Sharma urged the journalists to discharge their duty with positive thinking. The function was also attended by Vice Chancellor of Kushabhau Thakre University Dr Sachhidanand Joshi, State Commerce and Industries Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mayor of Indore Krishna Murari Moghe.
This year’s Bapurao Lele Memorial National Journalism Award was presented to senior journalist and former editor of Swadesh Shri Jai Krishna Gaur. The award consists of a cheque of Rs 51,000, a shawl, coconut and a memento. Asharani Vohra Memorial National Woman Journalism Award was presented to Kerala’s famous journalist and social activist Leela Menon. It consisted of a cheque of Rs 21,000, a shawl, coconut and memento. Photo journalist of The Indian Express Shri Shekhar Soni was felicitated with Dada Sahab Apte photo journalism award.
Apart from it, an award initiated in the memory of former editor of Panchjanya the late Ram Shankar Agnihotri, was jointly presented to Shri Sharad Joshi of Swadesh (Ratlam) and Shri Tushar Kothari, Bureau chief UNI. One more award was presented in the memory of noted poetess Subhadra Kumari Chauhan jointly to Smt Veena Nagpal of Dainik Bhaskar and senior journalist Smt Nirmal Bhuradia of Nai Dunia. (FOC)
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