Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday said that Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre ignited the flame of patriotism in Chhattisgarh through his journalistic writings during the Independence movement. He said that during that era it was considered anti-national to speak, write and raising voice against the British Raj.Singh was addressing the felicitation ceremony of two renowned journalists by the Chhattisgarh State Public Relations Department on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre.Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre in the year 1900 launched ' Chhattisgarh Mitra' (Monthly magazine) at far-flung and remote Pendra, he said.
He (Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre) edited and published the magazine and spread awareness among the masses regarding the freedom movement in the entire Madhya Bharat, Singh said.The Chief Minister gave away the ' Madhav Rao Sapre Rashtriya Rachanatmkta Samman 2014' award to famous writer, thinker and journalist and Padmasree awardee Rambahadur Rai. The Award was instituted by the Chhattisgarh Government.Singh felicitated Rai with a cheque of Rs 2.50 lakh, a shawl and a commendation certificate. It may be mentioned here that it was the first felicitation function of Chhattisgarh State Public Relations Department in the memory of Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre.
The Chief Minister also felicitated senior journalist John Rajesh Paul with 'Chandulal Chandrakar Smruti Patrikarita Puraskar 2014' (Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Journalism Award 2014). He was given a cheque of `50,000, a shawl and a commendation certificate.Chief Minister recalled the services rendered to the field of journalism by Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre and Chandulal Chandrakar. 'Tokhri bhar Mitti' written by Pandit Madhav Rao Sapre is considered as the first basic Hindi story.
Singh said that 'Pandit Madhavrao Sapre Rashtrawaadi Patrakarita Shodhpeet' was established at Khushabhau Takre Journalism University Raipur in the year 2008.At the onset, Public Relations Department Secretary and Commissioner Ganesh Shankar Mishra gave the welcome speech.He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, the State Government instituted Pt Madhav Rao Sapre Rashtriya Rachnatmakta Samman in year 2014. This award is conferred upon those intellectuals, who have glorified name of the nation with their extraordinary contribution in the field of journalism and creation of literary works with dedication towards Hindi language.
likewise, Chandulal Chandrakar Memorial Journalism Award was instituted by Chhattisgarh Government in year 2010 for Hindi/Chhattisgarhi Print Media and Electronic Media. This award is bestowed for creative writing about Chhattisgarh's culture, prosperity and development. Similarly, Madhukar Kher Memorial Journalism Award was established for English Print and Electronic Media.