The media houses in the country should promote lesser known facts and unsung heroes associated with the freedom struggle, opined Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also asked media in the country to encourage upcoming writers from non-media background by offering them platforms to showcase their writing skills. He was inaugurating the year-long centenary celebrations of Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhmi at Kozhikode on Friday.
The Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the founders of the daily. Addressing the public meeting held at Kozhikode where the newspaper was born in 1923, Prime Minister Modi, speaking on-line from the national capital, began his speech by offering homages to K. P. Kesava Menon, K. A. Damodara Menon, Kerala Gandhi Shri K. Kelappan and Kurur Neelakantan Namboodiripad (the founder editors as well as promoters of the daily).
The Prime Minister said that the newspaper was inspired by the ideal of Mahatma Gandhi to strengthen India’s freedom struggle. He reminded the audience that Mathrubhumi was a key part of the glorious tradition of newspapers and journals founded all across India to unify the people against colonial rule. “If we look back at our history, several greats have been associated with some or the other paper. Lokmanya Tilak nurtured Kesari and Mahratta. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was associated with Hitavada. Prabuddha Bharat was associated with Swami Vivekananda. When we remember Mahatma Gandhi, we also remember his works in Young India, Navjivan and Harijan. Shyamji Krishna Varma edited The Indian Sociologist. The list is endless,” said the Prime Minister.
He said that the 75th anniversary of the country’s freedom ( Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav) has given the new generation an opportunity to work towards a strong, developed and inclusive India.
The Prime Minister complimented the media for its role in strengthening the policy initiatives of the Government. ''In these years gone by, I have seen the positive impact the media can play. The example of the Swachh Bharat Mission is well known. Every media house took up this mission with great sincerity. Like-wise, the media has played a very encouraging role in popularising Yoga, fitness and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. These are subjects beyond the domain of politics and political parties, " said Modi.
Before concluding his address, the Prime Minister reminded the audience what Mahatma Gandhi had said when he called on the Mathrubhumi office. ‘Mathrubhumi is an institution that has stood firmly on its own feet. Only a few newspapers in India can do this. Hence amongst the newspapers of India, the Mathrubhumi has a unique position.” Gandhi has said and the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the daily would live up to the words of Bapu.
Former AICC chief Rahul Gandhi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and a host of celebrities drawn from the world of politics, culture, arts and religion attended the inaugural function of the centenary celebration. P V Chandran, chairman of the board of directors in his remarks profusely thanked the Prime Minister.