Pics by : Jeevan D’costa

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Apr 12: "Most people feel that if an article comes in the media, the problem will be solved. But the articles only serves as a plebiscite and it does not solve the problem” said Dr Ravindranath Shanbouge, president of Udupi Human Rights Protection Foundation.

He was speaking while inaugurating the foundation day of Udupi district Working Journalists' Association which was organised on Friday, April 12, at Udupi Press Club in collaboration with Udupi Girija Group of Concern and Udupi Press Club Committee under the auspices of Udupi District Working Journalists Association.

"The articles I wrote in the newspaper were getting good responses from people. But even after speaking to the minister concerned, the problem was not resolved. For that, a new experiment in journalism has been devised. Accordingly, people wrote letters to the departments regarding this article. The officials immediately woke up and responded to the problems and brought about solutions. Thus, thousands of problems were solved by the experiment I did," Dr Ravindranath said.

"It is not enough if a referendum is not formed among the people. The problem will be solved only if that referendum is reached as it should be. From this I realised that mandate is important in democracy," he said.

He said that this experiment in journalism was a success.

Founder general secretary of the association and editor of Kundaprabha weekly newspaper U S Shenoy spoke about the foundation day and said that the establishment of the journalists' association was able to create unity among the journalists. "Journalists do not need to fear anyone if there is a record of doing any news," he said. He opined that journalists should be wary of false and provocative news.

Ravindra K Shetty, managing director of Udupi Girija Group of Concern, who unveiled the nameplate of the president and general secretary of the association who have served since 1998, said "If there is loyalty in the work we do, we can make a good contribution to the society." He said that the satisfaction of true social service is nowhere to be found.

On this occasion, senior journalist Subhash Chandra Wagle, the founder member of the association, was honoured on the foundation day. Rajesh Shetty Alevoor, district president of the association presided.

Convenor of the Association's Silver Jubilee Committee Muhammad Sharif, state committee member Kiran Manjan Bailu, Press Club committee convener Ajit Aradi were present.

The general secretary of the association, Nazir Polya, gave an introductory speech and welcomed the gathering. Treasurer Umesh Marpalli rendered the vote of thanks. Journalist Deepak Jain compered the programme