GUWAHATI, May 22 � Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has called upon the journalists of Assam to place before the people the actual state of affairs of the nation and carry to the teeming millions the message that the finer values of life would finally triumph over petty considerations and the era of violence perpetrated by a section of the misguided people.
Sonowal was addressing a felicitation function on Wednesday evening, organised on the occasion of Narada Jayanti by Vishwa Samvad Kendra, a new organisation of the city devoted to the transmission of correct news to the people.
Veteran journalists DN Chakravartty and DN Bezboruah were felicitated for their life-long service for the cause of ideal journalism against all forms of social and other hindrances braving the threats of the anti-national elements and insurgents.
Addressing the function as the chief guest, the Vice Chancellor of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communiction, Prof BK Kuthiala dwelt at length on the glorious achievements of Indian journalists during the last century and spoke on the phenomenal changes taking place in the domain of journalism. Referring to the arduous task of the ideal journalist, Prof Kuthiala said that while it was necessary to disseminate the truth, the journalist should be cautious so that breaking out of a naked truth might not jeopardise the interests of the society.
He also mentioned about the changes taking place in the field of journalism where several mighty industrial houses had taken monopolistic control over the media. He said that the government should consider whether it would be desirable to allow a monopoly house to have control over print and electronic media at the same time.
Replying to the felicitation, which contained Rs 51,000 each, a memento, and other gifts, Chakravartty said that while the heavenly messenger Narada carried the message of love, truth and brotherhood from the heaven, he communicated to the gods the agonies and sufferings of human beings on earth. Similarly, it was the duty of the modern journalist to bring to the notice of the powers that be the sorrows and sufferings of the masses and alert the humanity at large about the designs of the enemies of mankind.
Bezboruah in his speech decried the tendency of the politicians and all those associated with administration of looting the general masses and enlarging their own volume of wealth at the cost of the people.
Earlier, Sankar Das, on behalf of the organisers welcomed the guests, while Pabitra Margherita offered the vote of thanks.
