Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD)
Mumbai, Feb 4: “Journalists, irrespective of Kannada or Marathi, have to strengthen their bonds and it’s futile to fight over language.
Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra has done this in the metro. Marathi Patrakar Sangh will always support the causes of Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra,” said Sasikant Sandbor, president, Doordarshan Patrakar Sangh Mumbai and vice-president of Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh.
He was speaking after inaugurating All India Kannada journalists and representatives get-together and discussion programme held at Devadiga Centre, Dadar (East), recently.
Sandbor expressed his concern towards group health insurance for journalists and announced a contribution of Rs 1,001 in this regard.
Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra president Chandrashekar Palettady presided over the programme.
Media Sports Academy Maharashtra honorary secretary Calvin Joshua, and Mumbai University head of department of Kannada Dr Ganesh N Upadhya were the chief guests on the occasion.
Devadiga Sangh Mumbai former president Gopal C Moily and veteran entrepreneur Vittal S Poojary were the guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr G N Upadhya said that Kannada journalism in the metro has a history of over one-and-a-half-centuries as various communities of undivided Dakshina Kannada district were publishing their individual bulletins, thereby continuously engaging in creating awareness about mother tongue Kannada.
Joshua expressed happiness that he has got the opportunity to converse in mother tongue Kannada, which is difficult to sustain in the mechanical living in the metro.
Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra president Chandrashekar Palettady, in his presidential address, explained the challenges of journalists and future plans of the organization.
Karnataka Working Journalists’ Association president Gangadar Mudaliar spoke on the topic ‘Karnataka State Facilities for Outstation Kannadiga Journalists and Limits and Constraints of Outstation Kannada Journalism’. Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra secretary Daya Sagar Chowta spoke on journalism in the metro. Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists’ Association president P B Rai spoke on media men and co-ordination of government and media enterprises. Dakshina Kannada District Press Club Trust Mangalore president B Ravindra Shetty spoke on ‘Kannada Journalism in Karnataka and Maharashtra’.
Speaking on the occasion, Mudaliar said that of about 6,000 journalists enrolled in Karnataka Working Journalists’ Association, only 800 have been issued with press cards by the Karnataka government. “It was issued on the basis of the circulation of the newspaper. A journalist is a loner, and the prevailing situation in media demands unity of all media persons,” he added.
Ravindra Shetty said that a newspaper is like a spark that can light a lamp or light a fire. “The sharing of news among media persons in Mangalore and Mumbai is the need while coastal residents settled in the metro have contributed significantly to the prosperity of the undivided Dakshina Kannada. The proper use of Kannada both in metro and Karnataka can improve illogical usage of media,” he added.
Harish Rai said that the media should cover the pro-people programmes of governing parties besides covering the news about each party. “Emphasis should be laid on rural villages. One can come to a conclusion whenever one views a TV channel or reads a newspaper about the affiliation of that organization to any specific political party. The media should work towards reforming the society,” he said.
Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra treasurer rendered the prayers. Secretary Daya Sagar Chowta compered the programme. Dakshina Kannada District Working Journalists’ Association honorary chief secretary Srinivas Nayak, Venkatesh Bantwal, Sukesh P N, Wilfred D’Souza, Anil Jogi, S Divakar, Daya Kukkaje, Harish Bantwal, Sasidar Payattabail, Supreet Mangalore, Harish Motukana, Sudhakar Yermal, Jayaram Suvarna, S Somashekar Bangalore, Rasoor Sharief, Kannadiga Patrakartara Sangh Maharashtra executive committee members Lawrence Coelho, Eshwar Alevoor, Suresh Acharya, Premanat Shetty Mundkoor, Savita S Shetty and Kannada journalists from across the country were present on the occasion.
Vibha N R Mangalore music group staged a musical concert assisted by K Sasikiran on the ‘tabla’ and S Ranjit on violin as part of the entertainment programme.