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Journalism signifies struggle, sacrifice, faith and strength: Ajay Mittal

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Nishith Joshi, Prakash Kapruwan among journos honoured on Narad Jayanti

By Arun Pratap Singh

Dehradun, 26 May: Vishwa Samvad Kendra of Uttarakhand organised a discussion on journalism at a function held at IRDT Auditorium here today on the occasion of Narad Jayanti. Vishwa Samvad Kendra, an RSS affiliated body which works for preservation of Indian culture, celebrates Narad Jayanti every year when it also honours some journalists for their achievements. It may be recalled that Narad Jayanti is also celebrated as Hindi Journalism Day in the country. In today’s event, 7 journalists including veteran journalist Nishith Joshi, who is currently editor of Dainik Navyug (A Punjab Kesari publication), Prakash Kapruwan (Joshimath), Asha Prasad Semwal (Rudraprayag), Pradeep Anand, Arvind Prasad, (Tehri) Chiranjeev Semwal (Uttarkashi) and Amit Kumar Sharma (Haridwar) were honoured.

Ajay Mittal, head of All India Research Coordination of Pragya Pravah, was the keynote speaker on the occasion, while former journalist and former director of Indian Culture Centre in Moscow, Dr Usha Radhakrishna chaired the session and also addressed the audience. Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Mittal reminded that Devrishi Narad was one personality who was respected and trusted not only by the gods and humans, alike, but even by the rakshasas as he spoke the truth. He worked tirelessly for public welfare and roamed around all the universes with this objective. Every journalist should treat Narad as his ideal.  Mittal reminded that journalism as a communication medium, came to India from the West but it was used by Indians of high ideals as a mode to inspire people to fight for India’s independence and in their own style. They struggled to keep their publications alive but did not waver from their principles. A lot of journalists in early days had to struggle a lot and they were constantly harassed by the British rulers. Some had to close down their publications but even then they did not compromise. He also mentioned the contribution of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, editor of the Hindi newspaper, Pratap, in the field of journalism and also his role in helping other journalists across the country. He said that Vidyarthi shaped Hindi journalism as a mode and symbol of struggle, sacrifice, faith and strength.

Mittal added that to supress the activism for independence led by journalism, the British enacted two laws in 1908 and 1910, respectively, the Press Act and the Press Incitement to Violence Act. Through the use of these two laws, journalists were harassed and sometimes even forced to close down their publications or even imprisoned. He added that that, during those days, the journalists worked on the ideas promoted by Narad keeping greater public interest in mind.

He also described the meaning of the word, Narad. He said that Naar means knowledge of divine nature. Narad is described as Brahma’s child and a favourite rishi of Lord Vishnu. He is the real mental manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Mittal said that earlier journalists led a simple life, full of ideals and they did not have greed for money or a luxurious life. He also mentioned the contribution of Benjamin G Horniman, who was editor of Bombay Chronicle but who remained truthful to his profession by never supporting British atrocities in India. In fact, he was the first editor to publish the news of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre when many others were too scared to do so. He said that Mahatma Gandhi had also published his newspapers as mission and had laid down certain guidelines for journalism, like never publishing advertisements which is relevant even today. One of his foremost principles was to understand the public sentiments and then to give them expression. He also mentioned contributions of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Dr Keshav Hegdewar, the founder of RSS, to journalism. He reminded that even Subhas Chandra Bose launched publications, and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also a journalist.

Addressing the audience, Dr Usha Radhakrishna, former Director of Cultural Centre of Indian Embassy in Moscow, who is currently serving as Arts Advisor to Ministry of Culture, called upon the journalists to follow in the footsteps of Narad who laid great importance to communication, discretion, to be fearlessly intelligent and to avoid discrimination. She also reminded that her maternal grandfather worked for Horniman in Mumbai. She claimed that Narad was poetic in his journalism, always presented things in a musical manner by playing the Veena, but at the same time articulated serious issues also fearlessly and in a straightforward manner. She said that Indian culture imparts discretion and humility in everyone and teaches one to stay away from ego. Like Narad, every Indian should imbibe discretion which she referred to as Vivek, fearlessness, truthfulness and humility. She said that there is no need to be aggressive as the intelligent person remains humble. Only those having these qualities can achieve renunciation and salvation.

Laxmi Prasad Jaiswal, Chhetra Pramukh Sangh in Western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand introduced the audience to the objectives of Vishwa Samvad Kendra. He said that the Kendra is committed to propagating the values of Hindutva and Nationalism. He also reminded that, contrary to the misinformation spread by many of the so- called liberals that linking Narad to journalism is an idea of RSS, the first Hindi Newspaper Udant Martand had started its publication on Narad Jayanti.

Prant Media Samvad Pramukh Baldev Parashar coordinated the programme. He said that the attempt of the Vishwa Samvad Kendra had been to honour one journalist from each district. Journalists from Kumaon are being honoured at a separate function held in Kumaon. The disciples of Art Guru Nisha Markandey rendered Vande Matram to launch the programme. Among those present on the occasion included RSS state publicity chief Sanjay Kumar, co-publicity chief Hem Pandey, Vishwa Samvad Kendra President Surendra Mittal, Secretary Rajkumar Tonk, Rita Goyal, Manish Bagri, Gajendra Khanduri, Ashok Chakra winner the late Havildar Bahadur Singh Bohra’s wife, Shanti Bohra, Prem Chamola and Dinesh Upmanyu.