Need to establish narrative in interest of country: Hitesh Shankar

Journalists honoured for their outstanding contribution in field of journalism

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Before the independence of the country, India was the DNA or Guun Sutra of Indian journalism and it should be there even now. Unfortunately, such a period of journalism has come in the country when instead of human rights, there is talk of demonic rights. Governments come and go and will continue to come and go, but the concern in journalism should always remain. At this time, there is a need to establish a narrative in journalism in the interest of the country.
Hitesh Shankar, editor of Panchjanya, expressed these views as the main speaker during a function to honour the working journalists, which was organized by the Trikuta Samvad Kendra in connection with the birth anniversary of the world’s first journalist Maharishi Narad ji at the Press Club on Sunday.
The programME was presided over by the Regional Director of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, North Regional Campus, Jammu, Prof. Anil Somitra and Dr. Satyadev Gupta, President of Trikuta Samvad Kendra, were also present on the occasion.

The special issue of monthly Jagran Patrika Trikuta Sankalp, based on 350th year of the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya was also released by the dignitaries.
In his address, Hitesh Shankar said that Maharishi Narad has been unique that he covers both gods and demons and he does this work very clearly. On the other hand, Narad was presented in films in such a way that he only laughs.
He raised the question whether anyone has observed Narad’s life from the point of view of media, so this is an opportunity to understand our cultural symbols.
Hitesh Shankar said that Narad ji’s journalism has sarcasm as well as meaningfulness. Referring to journalism before independence in the country, Hitesh Shankar said that it gave journalists like Babasaheb Ambedkar, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Mahatma Gandhi to India while establishing many dimensions. After this came the moment of independence of the country. It was obviously a moment of excitement and pride, but it was also a moment of test for journalism.
He said that at present the month of June is going on and everyone knows what happened in June. There was emergency imposed in the India . During the period of emergency, news items were not decided by the news editors and sub-editors of the newspapers, but by the police inspectors and sub-inspectors. In this period, the journalism of the country was tested between strength and strictness. This created anger in journalism and later the practice of journalism against the ruling party increased. Although this was not the nature of Indian journalism, the result was that in place of human rights, talk of demonic rights started, Avoiding this, we have to do journalism with the DNA of Indianness.
Earlier, Dr. Satyadev Gupta, President of Trikuta Samvad Kendra, said in his address that Maharishi Narad has been considered a favourite of journalists. His picture was published at the time of publication of the first magazine in the country. Maharishi Narad always used to provide information so that the upcoming developments would be known. When the first film made in the country was made in Marathi, the film was based on Ramayana and it also featured his role. Similarly, in the current environment, it is necessary to know about its veracity and its discussion while writing the news.
There is a need to adopt the three basic mantras of the book composed by Mahirsha Narad so that the readers or viewers can be informed about the developments.
Presiding over the programme, Prof. Anil Somitra said that at present technology is being used in journalism. Using technology, good journalism can be done and fake news can be avoided. He said that now such technology has come through with which journalism can be made more effective.
On this occasion, Avtar Krishna, Prant Sah Sarkaryah, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dr. Vivek Mahajan Sah Prant Prachar Parmukh and Suneel Sharma, member of the provincial executive were present.
Nidhi Sharma, associated with the electronic media and a member of the Prant Prachar Toli, conducted the proceedings of the programme.
The programme was inaugurated jointly by the chief guest, chairman and keynote speaker with the lighting of the lamp.
After felicitating the journalists, the program ended with presentation of vote of thanks by Prant Media Samwad Pramukh Dr. Ganesh Malhotra and national anthem.
Earlier, on the occasion STATE TIMES Photojournalist Shilpa Thakur, State Awardee Nishikant Khajuria, Special Correspondent, Daily Excelsior, Avtar Bhat, Special Correspondent, Daily Excelsior, Bureau Chief, ANI Jammu, State Awardee, Sumendra Kaul, Punjab Kesari TV Chief, Jammu, Pawan Sharma, Senior Correspondent Dainik Jagran Rohit Jandial, Bureau Chief Dainik Savera Jammu Khushwinder Singh, Senior Photojournalist Sardar Surjit Singh, Amar Ujala Photojournalist, Nikhil Mehta and Hindustan Samachar’s correspondent Suman were honoured for their outstanding contribution in the field of journalism.