National Executive Meeting of NUJ(I) in Rishikesh

Saints and media should join hands for a positive change

—Swami Chidanand Saraswati?

Ravindra Saini

“Both the saints and the media have miraculous power to bring a positive change in the society. Though both are active as per their own strength, there is a need that both should come together and start a joint campaign for social change,” said the Head of Parmarth Niketan Rishikesh Swami Chidanand Saraswati. He was speaking at the valedictory session of the two-day National Executive Meeting of the National Union of Journalists-India (NUJ-I) in Rishikesh on May 20.

Over 200 journalists from across the country attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by NUJ (I) national president Shri Prajnanand Chaudhary. Achrya Balkrishan of Patanjali Yogapeeth and Panchayatiraj Minister of Uttarakhand Shri Pritam Singh also addressed the delegates.

Referring to the campaigns launched by Baba Ramdev against black money and corruption and by Anna Hazare for the Jan Lokpal Bill, Swami Chidanand Saraswati said apart from pressuring the government for bringing legislations to this effect, there is a dire need to change the mindset of the people. He stressed the need that the media and saints should jointly take initiatives to protect the traditional water resources of villages including rivers, ponds, etc.

Acharya Balkrishan of Patanjali Yogapeeth said the multinational companies are bent upon destroying the economic structure of the country and there is an urgent need to start a swadeshi movement. He said India does not need to look at the West for everything and she should realise her own strength as Indians today are superior in many fields across the world. He appealed to the media to support the constructive initiatives being taken by various individuals and organisations in different parts of the country.

The two-day National Executive meeting decided to stage nationwide dharnas on June 25 to press upon their demand for enactment of a Journalist Protection Act in the country. According to NUJ (I) Secretary General Ras Bihari, a massive dharna would be organised at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on that day, which would be attended by hundreds of senior journalists from all mainstream media institutions. Similar dharnas will be organised in all State capitals by the State units. A memorandum to this effect will be presented to the Prime Minister and the President of India in New Delhi, Governors and Chief Ministers in States and the Collectors/District Magistrate at the District level.

Referring to the promise already made by the Maharashtra Government to enact a similar law for the protection of media persons treating them at par with the public servants in this matter, the NUJ (I) National Executive demanded that the Central Government should intervene to enact such legislation and should also encourage the States to follow the suit.

In another resolution, the National Executive expressed grave concern over the continued refusal by the newspaper’ managements in implementing the Majithia Wage Board recommendations and once again urged the Central government to enforce the wage board recommendation strictly. “The year 2012 calls for heavy sacrifice on the part of working journalists to ensure their future in the context of 12 long years of denial of wage revision,” the resolution said exhorting the media persons to intensify their agitation in this regard.

The National Executive Meeting also decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the NUJ (I) on large scale across the country. Various functions will be organised by State units across the country. A grand function will be organised in New Delhi. ?