Journalists’ Support Essential to Take Sindhudurg to the Pinnacle of Development – Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane

Sindhudurgnagari, Jan 2026 : Emphasising the vital role of the media in the overall development of Sindhudurg district, Fisheries and Ports Development Minister and Guardian Minister of Sindhudurg, Nitesh Rane, called upon journalists to act as guides and vigilant critics to help take the district to the forefront in every field.

He was speaking at an award distribution ceremony organised by the District Journalists’ Association on the occasion of Journalists’ Day. Minister Rane stated that former Chief Minister and current Member of Parliament Narayan Rane had laid a strong foundation for the district’s development. Building on that legacy, he said continuous efforts are being made to take Sindhudurg to new heights of development and to increase per capita income of its citizens.

New Era of Employment by 2029

Speaking about upcoming development initiatives, Guardian Minister Rane said several major projects will be established in the district in the coming years, creating large-scale employment opportunities for local youth. Night-landing facilities have been started at Chipi Airport, and concrete efforts are underway for the Kolhapur–Vaibhavwadi railway line. He noted that the government has resolved to raise Sindhudurg’s per capita income to ₹5 lakh, on the lines of Goa.

Homes for Journalists at Oros

Reiterating the government’s commitment to journalists’ welfare, Minister Rane said that affordable, rightful homes will be provided to journalists at Oros through the Sindhu Darpan Journalists’ Housing Cooperative Society. The transfer of this land is expected within the next two to three days. He credited the persistent efforts of senior journalists Madhav Kadam, Santosh Wayangankar, Umesh Toraskar, Shashi Sawant, Gajanan Naik, Bal Khadpakar, Santosh Rawool, among others, for this achievement. Expressing confidence, he said that just as the District Journalists’ Bhavan has become a model, this housing project will also set an example, and journalists will soon receive the keys to their own homes.

Outstanding Journalism Awards by District Journalists’ Association

Outstanding Journalism Awards were presented by Minister Nitesh Rane to nine journalists:
Ayodhya Prasad Gavkar (Devgad), Sudhir Rane (Kankavli), Arjun Bapardekar (Malvan), Prashant Poipkar (Kudal), Sagar Chavan (Sawantwadi), Pradeep Sawant (Vengurla), Lavu Mhadeshwar (Sindhudurgnagari), Om Desai (Dodamarg), and Mahesh Ravrane (Vaibhavwadi). They were honoured with a shawl, coconut, citation, and memento.

Bal Khadpakar delivered the introductory address, Ganesh Jethe conducted the proceedings, and Santosh Rawool proposed the vote of thanks.