‘Journalism a vital tool to bring radical change in society’- Hrishikesh Goswami in Udalguri

Correspondents

UDALGURI/TANGLA: The two-day-long mid-term conference of the Assam Press Correspondents’ Union (APCU) concluded in Udalguri on Sunday. Hrishikesh Goswami, CM’s media advisor, was the chief guest of the open session. “Journalism is a vital and effective tool for bringing radical change and reform in the society from the vices it has fallen into. Journalists are the conscience of the society,” he said at the Bishnu Rabha Kristi Sangha Prangan Hall in Udalguri town on Sunday. He added that voices for reform were most effective when they were through the tool of media, as practised by reformists like Raja Ram Mohan Roy who used the newspaper to eradicate Hinduism of evil practices such as sati and child marriage. He further said, “Every individual has divine potentiality in him. It is his duty to bring that out for the welfare of society and to heal the vices of society. Every individual has the duty to contribute towards collective conscience and society building. Those who have contributed towards the uplift of society are the ones who are recognized by it, like Nobel laureate Malala Yousafazai.”

Speaking about recognition to the martyred journalists of State, he said that the State Government have extended ex-gratia compensation to the next kin of victim journalists in line with BJP’s slogan ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas aur Sabka Viswas’. He also stated that welfare schemes for non-journalists associated with media organizations were also on the cards of the government. He also lauded the tireless effort of APCU for giving a common platform to journalists to express their grievances and woes.

The open session chaired by president of APCU, Manoj Singh, was inaugurated by Gautam Jyoti Talukdar where senior journalist Achyut Patowari graced the session as appointed speaker. A souvenir Sangbad Prahari was also inaugurated on the occasion by Udalguri Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar Das.

The Swahid Prahlad Gowala Sahasi Sangbadik Bota, an award commemorating martyr Prahlad Gowala, was conferred to Numaligarh-based journalist Priyangdeep Kakoti on the occasion. During the open session, senior local correspondents of undivided Darrang district were felicitated by APCU.

Earlier, a workshop on journalism was also held where senior journalist Naba Thakuria spoke on various aspects of journalism and its emerging challenges. The event was attended by a host of journalists from various parts of the State, including working president of APCU, Mousam Jyoti Baishya, general secretary of APCU, Hemanta Saikia and others. The representative meet was held at the Udalguri town committee hall and it was inaugurated by Rihon Daimari, State PHE minister and also the local legislator of Udalguri.

Also read: ‘Art of journalism has undergone paradigm shift’ – Tridip Hazarika