Chittorgarh: A programme was organised in the Mewar University campus in memory of the late Prabhash Joshi, founder Editor of Jansatta newspaper, on July 16, 2023. In which the Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammed Khan, was the principal speaker. He delivered his memorial lecture on ‘Relevance of Gandhi’s Thoughts in Modern Times’, speaking on journalism, Gandhi’s philosophy, thoughts of Prabhash Joshi and the Indian Sanatan traditions. He asserted that Prabhash Joshi was such a personality as, apart from literary language, he had given importance to the language of ordinary people. The result is that today in most newspapers and magazines, priority is afforded to common language.
Speaking further in the memorial lecture, referring to the London Times, he emphasised that only India and Sanatan traditions could impart birth to Gandhi; there is no other country like India in the world. No matter who rules the country, we should not forget our Indian ideals and values of Sanatan traditions. Speaking on Prabhas Joshi Smriti Gandhi Museum, he hailed the efforts of Dr Ashok Kumar Gadia, Chancellor of Mewar University. Congratulating the Chancellor, he said that the coming generations would learn a lot from the way he had connected the youth with Gandhi’s thoughts and principles. Madhavrao Sampre Memorial Newspaper Museum and Research Institute’s founder and Padmashree Vijaydutt Sridhar, presided over this memorial lecture. On this occasion, all the guests present in the programme inaugurated the book Vinoba Darshan based on Vinoba Bhave.
Earlier, while inaugurating the Prabhash Joshi Smriti Gandhi Museum in the programme, Member of Parliament Virendra Singh called upon the youth in his address that they would be successful only when they imbibed the principles of Gandhiji. Prabhas Joshi was a pillar in the field of journalism who worked to carry forward the ideas and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi throughout his life. Prabhash ji always talked about the upliftment of farmers, agriculture and the people of the grassroots level, whose development reached the high level at which it should have happened 75 years after independence. During the Corona period, where there was a decline in all other sectors, agriculture was the only sector in which rapid development had occurred. Therefore, there is a need to pay special attention to the agriculture sector. On this occasion, he also recalled the contribution of many social reformers, including Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and Vinoba Bhave.
On the other hand, former Rajya Sabha MP Mahesh Chandra Sharma said that this Musuem would connect youths with ancient Indian principles and Gandhi’s thoughts, and the youth would be exposed to their ancient Indian culture because, at present, we were getting separated from our culture in the way materiality was dominating. We should adopt Satvik’s thoughts so that our minds and thoughts are dedicated to society and the nation. He praised the work being performed by Gaumitra Sangh, an organisation of Bhilwara, in the interest of the mother cow and called upon other social organisations to replicate the same.
Managing Trustee of the Prabhash Parampara Nyas and President of Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, Padamshree Ram Bahadur Rai, also highlighted on the journey of Prabhash Joshi in the field of journalism and inspired the youth to follow Gandhi’s thoughts and the path shown by him. The guests remembered Gandhiji on that occasion by putting their signatures on the blackboard. Famous folk artist Prahlad Singh Tipania’s Kabir singing and Mahatma Gandhi’s bhajans Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye, Je Peer Parai Jaane Re… etc. songs so beautiful that all the audience present there were mesmerised. At the end of the programme, the Chancellor of the University, Dr Ashok Kumar Gadia, thanked all the guests present in the programme. Many journalists participated in the programme after reaching places like Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Indore, Jaipur etc. On this occasion, Usha Joshi, wife of late Prabhash Joshi, Director General of the Museum, Dr Chitralekha Singh, and Vice Chancellor Dr Alok Kumar Mishra were present.
The specialty of Prabhas Joshi Smriti Gandhi Museum
It is such a place which connects the present generation with history and ancient culture. Some such glorious history and heritage of India are preserved in the ‘Prabhash Joshi Smriti Gandhi Museum’ of Mewar University. The objects kept here provide information about many incidents based on Gandhiji’s life. The museum’s director general, Dr Chitralekha Singh, said that in this ‘Prabhash Joshi Smriti Gandhi Museum’, a complete glimpse of Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram was visible. While one can see Gandhiji spinning the charkha, old coins and medals with Gandhi’s pictures also attract visitors.
The 1948 issue of The Statesman newspaper has also been preserved in the museum, in which the news of Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom was published. Besides, many old discs of Gandhi’s speeches are also available here for the youth. Through these items, the youth can take inspiration from the lives of the great people of the freedom movement. Apart from this, Mewar Museum, Science Museum, Freedom Struggle Swaraj Museum, Defence Museum, Vishwa Guru Bharat Museum, Swami Mahesh Yogi Museum, Astrology Museum, Yoga Museum etc. are also built in Mewar University.
A few words about Prabhash Joshi
Editor, writer, and thinker Prabhash Joshi was born on July 15, 1937, in Ashta village of Sehore district in Madhya Pradesh. In addition to elementary classes at Maharaja Shiva Ji Rao Middle School and High School in Indore, he studied mathematics and science at Holkar College, Gujarati College and Christian College, then resorted to village service and teaching at Sunwani Mahakal, Dewas. Considering journalism as a means of social change, he started working in Nai Duniya in 1960 and worked with Rajendra Mathur, Sharad Joshi and Rahul Barpute. Here, he reported Vinoba Bhave’s first visit to Indore. In 1966, along with Sharad Joshi brought out the daily Madhya Pradesh from Bhopal and came to Delhi in 1968 and took the responsibility of publication in the National Gandhi Committee.
Prabhash Joshi also worked with Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan in the year 1972 for the surrender of dacoits of Chambal and Bundelkhand. He authored a book on this experiment of non-violence with Anupam Mishra and Shravan Kumar Garg – Chambal ki banduken Gandhi ke charanon men. In the year 1974, he brought out the weekly Prajaniti and Aas Paas, which were closed during the Emergency. He then joined the Express Group in January, 1978. Till April , 1981, he edited Indian Express in Chandigarh. Then was the editor of the Delhi edition of Indian Express for two years. Here in the year 1983, the publication of Jansatta started under the editorship of Prabhash Joshi. Prabhash Joshi’s books named Masi Kagad and Hindu Hone Ka Dharma were published. He died on November 5, 2009, in Delhi. He was a socialist journalist who bluntly analysed the history being made of his time. Besides, he also played an important role in making contemporary history with his active ideological initiative.
Politics, Religion, Sports, Society, Investigative Journalism, Cinema, Rural Life, Economy, Corruption, and Crime, would be the subjects which were not touched by his wonderful pen. Prabhashji, who created a new dimension of journalism in an effortless, easy and comprehensible language style, has a place in the hearts of common people. He was, far from pride, a strong supporter of nationalism and a unique style of speaking with courage. Any number of analogies can be easily attached to him, his writings and his journalism.
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