TEZPUR, July 22 - The Assamese daily Dainik Asam which has completed fifty years of its existence in the field of journalism has been able to play a pivotal role in paving the right track for the Assamese nation over the last five decades, said Pro-Vice Chancellor of Tezpur University, Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury while speaking as an appointed speaker at the golden jubilee celebration of Dainik Asam held at the historic Ban Theatre here.
Speaking on the responsibility of a newspaper in the society, Dr Chowdhury said that a newspaper is successful if it can show the right way to the society through balanced reporting. �I believe Dainik Asam has been able to carry out this responsibility�, he said, adding that a newspaper can be a celebration of life if the editor can pave the way for the society through positive reporting. He also said that there is a strong belief that journalists control the mass media but the best journalists recognise their role as servants of the people. They are the channels through which information flows and they are the interpreters of events. This recognition, paired with the desire to influence, can produce good campaigning journalists who see themselves as watchdogs. They are ready to champion the cause of the underdog and expose corruption and abuses of power. This is a vital role in any democratic society and should be equally valuable and welcome in countries where a non-democratic government guides or controls the press. �There is a difference between the desire to influence events for our own sake, and the desire to do it for other people. We should never use journalism for selfish ends, but use it to improve the life of other people - remembering that they may not always agree with us on what those improvements should be�, he stated.
Attending the programme, general secretary of Assam Tribune Employee�s Union, Dugdha Ram Kalita said that Dainik Asam has been combating the social evils since inception and it would continue fighting for the betterment of the Assamese nation. The Executive Editor of Dainik Asam, Munin Bayan in his welcome address stated how the Assamese daily is contributing in the field of journalism and in taking forward the Assamese nation. Former Education Minister, Brindaban Goswami and president of Sonitpur district Sahitya Sabha and noted litterateur, Sadhinata Mahanta were also present in the event.
The event held under the aegis of principal of Darrang College, Dr Jaisankar Hazarika along with many well known dignitaries from different fields was graced by noted artist Nalini Kanta Baruah local MLA, Rajen Barthakur and DC, Sonitpur, Lalit Gogoi. In the programme newspaper agents and distributors were felicitated. Earlier, an art competition was also held and the prize winners were awarded in the programme.