Journalists Are True Soldiers of Democracy, Their Role in Guiding Society Is Crucial: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Journalism Has Played a Historic Role in Nation-Building and Social Transformation: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur, May 2026 : Journalists are true soldiers of democracy who, even in difficult circumstances, continuously work hard to deliver information to every person and play an important role in giving the right direction to society. Positive criticism by the media provides not only individuals but also the administration and government with an opportunity for introspection and a direction for better work. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said this today while addressing the Patrakarita Gaurav Martand Utsav organized at Sundar Sadan in the Ram Mandir premises located on VIP Road in the capital Raipur. The event was organized on the occasion of completion of 200 years of Hindi journalism.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that such a wonderful event based on the glorious tradition of journalism in Chhattisgarh, the land of Mata Kaushalya and the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram, is certainly commendable. Congratulating the Raipur Press Club for the event, he said that the Raipur Press Club is among the old and prestigious press clubs of the country, whose history has been rich and inspiring. He said that such programs organized in honor of journalism and journalists are strong evidence of the commitment and sensitivity of the Press Club.

Referring to the journalistic tradition of Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that this city has given many towering personalities to the world of journalism. Remembering many eminent editors and journalists, including Madhukar Kher, Mayaram Surjan, Lalit Surjan, Ramesh Naiyyar and Baban Prasad Mishra, he said that these personalities have enriched the strong and ideological tradition of journalism.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the media is the foundation stone of democracy and journalism has always played a transformative role from the country’s freedom movement to the eradication of social evils. He said that Udant Martand, the country’s first Hindi newspaper published by Shri Jugal Kishore Shukla from Kolkata on May 30, 1826, laid a strong foundation for Indian journalism. This glorious journey of 200 years of Hindi journalism is a matter of pride for the people of the country.

Referring to the Indian Sanatan tradition, the Chief Minister said that Devarshi Narad is considered the first journalist and for this reason journalist brothers celebrate Narad Jayanti with respect. He said that it is a very interesting and inspiring fact that the publication of Udant Martand also began on Narad Jayanti, which symbolizes that the roots of Indian journalism have remained deeply connected with our cultural consciousness and Sanatan values. He said that Indian journalism has played a historic role in giving voice to nationalist consciousness.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that many freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Madhavrao Sapre and Subhas Chandra Bose, used journalism as a medium of social awakening and national consciousness. He said that whenever the glorious history of Indian journalism is written, the name of Chhattisgarh will be recorded in golden letters.

He made special mention of son of Mother India, Madhavrao Sapre, and said that by editing Chhattisgarh Mitra from Chhattisgarh, he made an important contribution to awakening and organizing people during the freedom movement.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that whenever journalism is discussed, the remembrance of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee will naturally come. He said that the flame of nationalism and national consciousness that Atal Ji ignited through his journalism inspired millions of people in independent India. Publications such as Swadesh and Rashtradharma played an important role in taking national consciousness and national identity to every person.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the state government has worked to implement Modi’s guarantees on the ground, and the role of the media has been extremely important in taking many public welfare schemes of the state to every citizen. Referring particularly to the eradication of Naxalism, he said that due to the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, the indomitable courage of security forces, public participation, and the important role of journalists, an atmosphere of peace and development has strengthened in the state.

The Chief Minister said that journalists have played a major role in inspiring people who had taken the path of violence and deviation towards peace, development and the mainstream. He said that today when the media brings forward news of positive changes, development, tourism, natural beauty and growing possibilities in Bastar, a new identity of Chhattisgarh is created in the country and the world. Bastar, which was once identified by news of guns and violence, is today emerging as a center of new possibilities of tourism, nature and development.

Addressing the program, Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary said that the 200-year journey of Hindi journalism has been extremely glorious. He said that when Udant Martand was launched in 1826, the country was passing through a difficult period of British rule. At such a time, journalism not only brought darkness before society but also showed society the direction towards light. He said that the basic duty of journalism is to provide the right direction to society and the nation.

The chief speaker of the program, senior journalist and Director of the India Habitat Centre, Dr. K.G. Suresh, said that from the freedom movement to independent India, journalism has kept national duty and national interest above all else. He said that Hindi journalism has developed itself in accordance with changing technologies over time, but the growing influence of social media and the concept of citizen journalism have also created many new challenges. He said that it is the need of the time to keep journalism research-oriented, factual and evidence-based so that the credibility and social role of journalism can become even stronger.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai honored distinguished personalities who made notable contributions in the field of journalism by presenting them with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He also released the special issue of Nav Pradesh published on the completion of 200 years of Hindi journalism, the Raipur Press Club Journalists’ Directory, and Shri Dinesh Yadu’s book Main Aghan Hoon.

The program was attended by Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Shri Pankaj Jha, Chief Minister’s Advisor Shri Krishna Das, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Chhattisgarh State Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman Shri Sanjay Srivastava, CSIDC Chairman Shri Rajeev Agrawal, State Child Protection Commission Chairperson Mrs. Varnika Sharma, Ram Mandir Trust Vice-President Shri Sunil Ramdas, Raipur Press Club President Shri Mohan Tiwari, office-bearers of the Press Club, distinguished citizens, and a large number of members of the public.