Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that journalism is essential for democracy. Journalism has given a new direction to the country's politics. Had journalism not been there, the political scenario would have been entirely different in the country. life of Makhanlal Chaturvedi even today, is a great source of inspiration for us, he added. He was addressing the Makhanlal Chaturvedi Memorial lecture and Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award ceremony organised by Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication in Bhopal on Tuesday. The Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi award for the year 2012 was conferred upon senior journalist, Madan Mohan Joshi while award for 2013 was conferred upon young journalist, Shyamlal Yadav. On this occasion, Chief Minister said that Madan Mohan Joshi is not only a journalist, but also a social worker.
About Shyamlal Yadav, Chouhan said that he has reached a great height in the field of journalism at a very young age which is a great source of inspiration for the youths. He called upon the student to work hard and do not escape from working hard and should keep their goals big. He said that there is no bigger service than serving others and no bigger sin than harming others. Youths should practice journalism in such a way that they shine in the sky like stars. Giving four sutras of success to the students, he said that they should have 'Paon Mein Chakkar', 'Muh Mein Shakkar', 'Sine Mein Aag' and 'Mathe Pe Barf' and exhorted them to practice journalism which is in the interest of the society.
Speaking on the occasion, Madan Mohan Joshi said that journalism should take resolution to be in a kind of journalism that is in the interest of individual, society and nation. Shyamlal Yadav, in his address, said that anything could be achieved in journalism by hard work and the young generation should not refrain from it. VC of Himachal University, Prof ADN Bajpayee said that the biggest challenge before the journalism today is to preserve the journalistic values. There is the need to encourage efforts which could help in preservation of values and sensitivity. The vice-chancellor of the university, Prof Brij Kishore Kuthiala, on this occasion talked about the upcoming programmes of the university and expressed gratitude towards the guests. The entire programme was coordinated by head of the Mass Communication Department, Sanjay Dwivedi.