- LAUDS THE CONTRIBUTION OF AJIT IN MAINTAINING PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE REGION
- BARJINDER SINGH HAMDARD FOR MEDIA TO PRO-ACTIVE ROLE IN ERADICATING THE SOCIAL MALADY
NewZNew (Mohali) : Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the media especially the print, to give extensive coverage to the news and views related to the fields of agriculture, industry, dairy development and environment from the angle of economic perspective.
Addressing the correspondents, reporters and desk journalists of the Ajit Group of Newspapers during a launch of ‘Ajit’ and ‘Ajit Samachar’ editions from Chandigarh at the newly set up modern printing press, the Chief Minister said that the regional press were not giving reasonable space to the economic activities with regard to agriculture and allied farming besides other social issues like unemployment, poverty and illiteracy while on the other hand several newspapers were devoting three to four pages exclusively for the coverage of sports. Mr. Badal, however said that he was not against the sports but at the same time the newspapers should strike a balance while allotting fairly enough space to pro-people and developmental activities which played an instrumental role in the economic growth of any state.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Managing Editor of Ajit Group of Newspapers Dr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard for taking this great initiative by launching editions of Ajit and Ajit Samachar from Chandigarh which would enable the readers to get copies of these newspapers in time with latest news especially in the region including Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Malwa region of the state.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the approach of ‘Ajit’ which had never compromised with the ethics of journalism. He said that this newspaper launched by its founder editor Dr. Sadhu Singh Hamdard at Lahore in Urdu, was today one of the country’s most leading vernacular newspaper. Mr. Badal said that ‘Ajit’ was synonymous with the elements of truth, fairness and accuracy which were the basis of credibility of any newspaper. Mr. Badal urged the journalist fraternity to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity, dedication and honesty and professional commitment to uphold the ethos of peace, amity, communal harmony and brotherhood, adding he said that the media should restrain from publishing news and views which could put the peaceful and congenial atmosphere of the state in peril. He also lauded the role of ‘Ajit’ in maintaining peace and tranquility in the state. The Chief Minister also requested Dr. Barjinder Singh to launch a newspaper in English initially a weekly, if not possible a daily to acquaint the English readership with its news and views.
In his welcome address, the Managing Editor Dr. Barjinder Singh briefly explained the objective of launching the Chandigarh edition of Ajit and Ajit Samachar and further said that Ajit group of newspapers was also planning to launch other editions from different parts of the state. He also exhorted the media to play a pro-active role in eradicating the social maladies like unemployment, illiteracy and poverty besides bringing awareness amongst the people about the significance of clean and green environment, adding he said that Ajit Group had already launched a vigorous campaign across the state to sensitize people about the importance of planting trees through its Ajit Hariaval (greening) Mission
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion Chairman of the Dr. Sadhu Singh Hamdard Trust Mr. Prem Singh and member of the trust Mr. Surinder Singh Virdi, BJP President Punjab Unit Mr. Kamal Sharma, Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Ministers Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia and Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal, ex-MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, former Chief Minister Smt. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and President PPCC Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa. Amongst the dignitaries who attended the function included Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Mr. NK Sharma and Mr. Som Parkash (both CPS) and Dr. Jaspal Singh, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala.
