Malaviya and Vajpayee were the ideal men of journalism: Ram Bahadur Rai

New Delhi, 24th December । "In journalism, the views and manner of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee are ideal for journalists. Both these national leaders taught us that the first duty of journalism is to awaken the society." said Shri Ram Bahadur Rai, Senior Journalist and Chairman of Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi in a program named 'Remembering Warrior Journalists' organized by Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) on Thursday. The event was organized on the eve of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. On this occasion,

Mr. Ashok Tandon, Member of Prasar Bharati Board and Media Advisor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Director General of IIMC Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi, Additional Director General (Administration) Shri K. Satish Namboodiripad and Additional Director General (Training) Smt. Mamta Varma were also present. 

Shri Rai said that Malaviya ji was not only a great freedom fighter, politician and educationist but also a big social reformer. He was also instrumental in breaking down caste fetters from the country. He said that Madan Mohan Mohan Malaviya popularized 'Satyamev Jayate', which later became the national motto and was inscribed below the national emblem.

Mr. Rai said that Mahatma Gandhi had given the title of Mahamana to Madan Mohan Malaviya. Actually due to his great works, Malaviya ji is called Mahamana. He founded 'Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya', one of the best universities in India.

Recalling Atal ji, Shri Ashok Tandon said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was known for his political commitment. Atal ji listened carefully to the public and tried to fulfill their aspirations. Mr. Tandon said that Atal ji started journalism in difficult circumstances; he was not only involved in writing, editing and printing of a newspaper but was also involved in its distribution. 

Mr. Tandon said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a journalist before becoming a political leader. He came into journalism with the motivation to do something for the country and society. The goal of his life was not to earn money through journalism, but nation-building. His poems were to motivate the youth. Atal ji believed that newspapers have a big national obligation. Even if we count newspapers as an industry, they are more than that in reality.

The program was conducted by Prof. Pramod Kumar. Earlier all the employees, professors and officers of IIMC paid tribute to both the national leaders and a tree plantation ceremony was also organized to celebrate the day.