Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Mar 7: Dharmastala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade inaugurated the two-day, 35th journalists’ state level conference here at Townhall on Saturday, March 7, which is organised by Karnataka Working Journalists’ Union Bengaluru and District Working Journalists’ Union.
Addressing the gathering, Dr D Veerendra Heggade said, "Today people have started analyzing the matter and its sensitiveness along with reading newspapers. Journalists need to be alert while reporting and publishing the news. Journalists should make sure to give good news to the public which will help in maintaining peace and harmony of the society. They need to be patient even at the time of stress.”
Addressing the gathering, deputy chief minister Dr Ashwath Narayan said, "It is a proud moment that 170 years ago first newspaper was started in Mangaluru. Journalists have become the voice of the people to raise the issues of the society and bring to the notice of the concerned department. Today it has become challenging to work when privatization, globalization and liberalization have taken over. Journalists should be focused and work in one field of expertise which will be more effective. Today, lot of focus is given on political statements and its news. We will try to be politically right which is not useful at all. But the responsibility given to us matters the most.”
Taranga weekly magazine editor Sandhya Pai said, "The big question will be the existence of the newspaper. Readers these days have become drastically low for which we need to find answers.”
Padmashree Awardee Harekala Hajabba was felicitated on the occasion. Deputy Chief minister Dr Ashwath Narayan released the book titled 'Namma Mangaluru - Mangaluru Mahanagara Palikeya Samagra Nota' (Namma Mangaluru - Integrated view of Mangaluru City Corporation) written by Raveendra Shetty, chief sub-editor of 'Vijaya Karnataka'
Kannada daily.
State president Shivananda Tagadoor welcomed the gathering. Journalist Manohar Prasad compered the event.
Prior to formal function, colorful procession was carried out from Football ground to town hall. District in charge minister inaugurated the photo exhibition.
District in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, Mangaluru South MLA Vedavyasa Kamath, Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty, MLA U T Khader, mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, deputy mayor Vedavathi, music director Gurukiran, District Working Journalists’ Union president Srinivas Nayak Indaje and others were present.
The second discussion forum will be held in the evening presided over by Ayisha Khan in which journalists from Jarkhand and Sri Lanka will take part. Senior journalist of Bengaluru Nirmala Eligar will preside over the discussion on the subject of media and women. A conference of the representatives of Karnataka Union of Working Journalists will be held together.
On March 8, senior journalists K Anand Shetty and Manohar Prasad will be honored for their special achievement. The programme will be presided over by union minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy and M Veerappa Moily also are expected to take part. Prizes for life time service, achievements and writings for the year 2018 will also be presented.
In the valedictory ceremony, Karnataka opposition leader Siddaramaiah, deputy chief minister Govinda Karajola, ministers Madhuswamy, Suresh Kumar and Basavraj Bommai will take part in the programme in the evening.
Instrumental music, Janapada songs, Bharathanatya, Yakshagana play and Hindustani classical music will be presented in the cultural programme on March 7. There will a magic show by Kudroli Ganesh in the afternoon followed by Alva's Samskratika Vaibhava by Alva's students on March 8.