New Delhi, May 30: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia participated in the ‘Hindi Journalism Bicentennial Festival’ held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts on Saturday. During the event, he unveiled a commemorative postage stamp, a first-day cover, and the book ‘Hindi Journalism: A 200-Year Epic,’ published by the postal department.
In his address, Scindia emphasized that Hindi journalism has served not just as a medium for news but has played a crucial role in shaping India’s national consciousness, the freedom movement, social awakening, and democratic values. He extended special congratulations to Ram Bahadur Rai, the Chairman of IGNCA, and Vijaydatt Shridhar, the founder-director of the Madhav Rao Sapre Museum, for their contributions to this significant event. He noted that the 200-year journey of Hindi journalism will continue to inspire future generations and pave the way for thought and nation-building.
Scindia highlighted that the publication ‘Udant Martand’ by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in 1826 gave a voice to Indian society and ignited a flame of national consciousness that still guides society today.
He remarked that during the freedom struggle, Hindi journalism became a powerful medium for public awareness. Newspapers like Lokmanya Tilak’s ‘Kesari,’ Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi’s ‘Pratap,’ and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya’s ‘Abhyuday’ infused new energy into national interest and public consciousness. He stated that journalism in India is not merely a profession but a movement for nation-building.
Addressing contemporary challenges, Scindia pointed out that the responsibilities of journalism have increased in an era marked by artificial intelligence, fake news, deepfakes, and misinformation. He stressed that recognizing truth amidst news is the biggest challenge today, and in such times, credible, impartial, and fact-based journalism is the greatest strength of democracy.
During the program, Scindia described the commemorative postage stamp and first-day cover as a tribute to the glorious 200-year tradition of Hindi journalism, honoring India’s intellectual heritage and the tradition of public awakening that has continuously guided society.
He acknowledged the special roles of Ram Bahadur Rai and Vijaydatt Shridhar in successfully organizing this historic event and reiterated that the 200-year saga of Hindi journalism will continue to inspire future generations and pave the way for thought and nation-building.
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