Guwahati: “If the information is fake, then it can’t be news and if it is news then it can’t be fake. The real problem is that of fake narratives – where half-truths are served to propagate certain versions of the story,” said Shri Prafulla Ketkar, editor of Organiser Weekly, in Guwahati on Thursday. He was delivering the keynote address at a programme organised by Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam in connection with the Narada Jayanti celebrations.
“Historically, before the 1870s, nobody called Bharat the land of villages. Though agriculture was an important component of the economy, there were around 1500 small and medium kingdoms before the 1857 war of independence, each having its own capital, army, market and cultural centres. As the British dissolved many of those princely states who resisted colonial rule, migration towards villages led to pressure on land. That is why we see many movements around farmers’ issues after the 1870s. They were supported by all, sections of the society,” Shri Ketkar added.
Veteran Assamese journalist Gautam Sharma, Deputy Editor of Amar Asom, was honoured with the Devarshi Narada Award by Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam. Sharma said on this occasion that it is extremely important to leave the people’s movement and start the movement of the mind to make a stronger Assamese society. This is the right time for everyone to unite to protect the Assamese language culture.
Sharma said that Assamese medium schools run by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) are making a tremendous contribution to the advancement of the Assamese language through Shankardev Sishu Niketan.
Samman Samaroh was organised on Thursday, on the occasion of Narada Jayanti under the aegis of Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Assam, at Sudarshanaya, the regional headquarters of RSS in Guwahati.
Pranjal Baruah of TV channel News Live, Arunima Kalita of Assamese newspaper and Hemen Burman of Assamese daily were also honoured in this program.
Vishwa Samvad Kendra (Assam) President Dr Gaurang Sharma, Vice President Guru Prasad Medhi, MP Pabitra Margherita, Bashista Bujorbaruah Khetra Sah Paracharak, Sunil Mohanti Kshetra Pracharak Pramukh along with a large number of respected citizens were present on occasion. The proposed address was given by Kishor Shivam, Secretary Vishwa Samvad Kendra and Prant Prasar Pramukh Assam.
