Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that journalism has given direction to history. All major revolutions in the country and world have taken place as a result of powerful writings. In the present era itself, writings are basic elements of revolution. The Chief Minister was conferring honours for excellence and outstanding contribution in journalism at a grand function on the premises of the CM House here on Sunday.
Intervening in the programme, the Chief Minister announced to change word "award" to "honour", saying that journalism is a mission, therefore, 'honours' and not 'awards' should be bestowed for this.
The Chief Minister said that journalism has given direction to movements, be it French Revolution or India's freedom movement. After Independence, journalism worked for re-building the country and awakening the people about their rights during the Emergency. He said that it is necessary for governments in democracy that truth and facts keep coming to light.
Healthy journalism has an important role to play in this. He said that healthy criticism is necessary since it reveals truth. Journalism keeps power echelons under check. He said that it should also be kept in view that professionalism should not harm the mission of journalism. Whatever positive is happening in the society must also be given coverage. Journalism in Madhya Pradesh has been factual and positive. Giving honour for journalism is a way to express respect and reverence to its practitioners, he said.
Public Relations Minister Rajendra Shukla said in his presidential address that good governance is vital to turn democracy into a boon. He said that positive journalism works as life-giver to good governance. Shukla said that journalism has also played a significant role in taking out the State from the category of sick States.
Founder of Hindi news channel India TV Rajat Sharma said that Devi Saraswati dwells in the voice of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. lauding the art of dissemination of thoughts, he said that the scenario of India will change if all Chief Ministers have the same verve for development as Chief Minister Chouhan.
Reminiscing anecdotes associated with Madhya Pradesh, former Editor-in-Chief of Indian Express Shekhar Gupta said that the State has progressed rapidly. The mainstream media must know and understand the State. He said that the State has witnessed unprecedented growth in agriculture. The mainstream media lacks understanding of Madhya Pradesh. He said that Madhya Pradesh is no more a sick State. He congratulated the Chief Minister for the rapid development of the State.
At the outset, the Chief Minister remembered the late Vidya Niwas Mishra, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Manikchandra Vajpayee and Satya Narayan Shrivastava in whose names these honours have been instituted. The Chief Minister also felicitated jury members including Vijay Dutt Shridhar, Prof BK Kuthiyala and Girija Shankar.
Recipients of honour
Vidyaniwas Mishra National Journalism Honour for year 2011 was conferred on Rajnath Singh Surya, lucknow, Asim Kumar Mitra, Kolkata 2012, Dhirendra Nath Chakravarti, Assam 2013 and Shekhar Gupta, Delhi for 2014.
Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi National Journalism honour was conferred on Kailash Chandra Pant, Bhopal for 2011, Mahesh Shrivastava, Bhopal 2012, Shankar Sharan, Delhi 2013, and Rajat Sharma, Delhi for year 2014. Manikchandra Vajpayee National Journalism Honour was conferred on Shyam Khosla, Delhi for 2011, Baban Prasad Mishra, Raipur 2012, Rajendra Sharma, Bhopal 2013 and Baldev Bhai Sharma, Delhi for 2014.
Satya Narayan Shrivastava State-level Journalism Honour was conferred on Sashindra Jaldhari, Indore for 2008, Rajesh Sirothiya, Bhopal 2009, Mrigendra Singh, Bhopal 2010, Manish Dixit, Bhopal 2011, Nitendra Sharma, Bhopal 2012, Arun Chouhan, Bhopal 2013 and i Atul Tare, Gwalior for year 2014. Commissioner Public Relations SK Mishra proposed a vote of thanks.