BADAL CALLS UPON MEDIA TO PLAY A PRO-ACTIVE ROLE TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL FIBER

• HONORS 12 PUNJABI EMINENT PERSONALITIES FOR THEIR RARE ACHIEVEMENTS

Chandigarh, November 7 - Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the entire media as well as journalist-fraternity to play a pro-active role to strengthen the social fiber through launching a massive awareness campaign to eradicate the social evils from the society.

          Mr. Badal was addressing a function organized by Punjabi Channel Zee ‘Anhad Sanman Samagam’ to honor the 12 eminent personalities from Punjab for the excellent achievements in their respective fields, here at Mount View late last evening. Advising media to adopt balanced reporting without any sensational approach, Mr. Badal said that media should discharge its duties with a sense of

professional commitment, devotion and honesty because it had a moral obligation towards the general masses.  He further said that healthy criticism was always good for the development of the society and he personally felt that it could play a vital role for any government to perform in a better way, but criticism for the sake of criticism could never solve any purpose so media should avoid such criticism.

          As both the electronic and the print media act as a bridge of communication between the masses and the government, he asked media to highlight the policies and programmes of the government for the welfare of people so that all the beneficiaries could avail benefits at grass root level. Regarding the freedom of Press, Mr. Badal categorically said that their government was fully committed for the protection of high dignity and welfare of media.

Highlighting the role of Punjabis in various fields, Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great prides that entrepreneur Punjabis had excelled globally in various fields with their hard work and patriotic approach. Whenever country needed, the Punjabi had always stood in the forefront, on one hand they sacrificed their lives during the Indian Freedom Struggle and on the other, they had contributed enormously in the field of food grains production for the country, added Mr. Badal.

          On the occasion, the Chief Minister congratulated all the eminent personalities who were honored with ‘Anhad Sanman’ and appreciated their life time achievements. The honor of ‘Anhad Sanman’ to late actor and satirist Jaspal Bhatti was received by Mrs. Sarita Bhatti along with son Jasraj Singh and daughter Rabia in an emotionally charged atmosphere in the memory of late Mr. Jaspal Bhatti, whereas for great actress Mrs. Zora Sehgal the trophy was received by her grand-daughter and for Commandant DS Brar the trophy was received by his wife. Prominent others who received the honor ‘Anhad Snaman’ included Physically challenged Gatka Champion Mrs. Rachpal Kaur, Eminent Punjabi NRI social worker Mr. SP Singh Oberoi, Padam Shree Sant Baba Sewa Singh popularly known as ‘Rukhaan Wala Baba’, Social activist Bibi Amarjeet Kaur known as ‘Sanskaar Wali Bibi’, famous Punjabi Folk Singer Mrs. Gurmeet Bawa, renowned gynecologist Dr. Sumita Sofat, Captain GS Kang who had started a crusade against drugs and provided job opportunities to the youth, the Chairman Hero Cycle Ltd. Mr. OP Munjal and eminent Punjabi writer Padam Shree Prof. Gurdial Singh.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, MLA Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, CEO Zee News Ltd. Mr. Alok Aggarwal and Editor Zee Punjabi Mr. Sanjay Vohra.