STATE TIMES NEWS
BANDIPORA: To build a direct interface between the government and the journalists working at district and sub-district levels across Kashmir division, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India on Thursday organised Media Workshop “Vartalap” at district Bandipora. The Chief Guest of the workshop was District Development Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad and the Guest of Honour was Additional Director General, PIB Srinagar and Chandigarh Rajinder Chaudhry.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Owais Ahmad thanked PIB for organizing the workshop at Bandipora. He said that journalists are doing their bit in contributing to society by being the eyes and ears of the administration. Dr Owais Ahmad encouraged the media to provide feedback to the administration so that it helps in better governance. He said that media has a lot of power and media persons should use that power wisely and judiciously and make sure that the power is not misused. He asserted that the relation between the government and the media should be an honest one as it is ultimately the public that gets to benefit from it.
In his keynote address, Chaudhry thanked district administration Bandipora for their support in organising the workshop. He said Vartalap is a two way communication and the purpose of the workshop is to reach out to media at far flung places. He added that the work of the government is greatly eased due to the efforts of the media as it acts like the eyes and ears of the government. Chaudhry gave a detailed presentation on the structure and working of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the various media units that come under it. He said journalists should make maximum use of the information provided by the media units as it will help them in seeing the complete picture. He further said that besides disseminating information from the government, PIB also takes notice of news that is reported at the local and regional levels and conveys it to the higher authorities for redressal of grievances.
In his welcome address, Joint Director (Media and Communication) PIB Srinagar Qazi Salman thanked the journalists for their attendance at the workshop.
