SUCCESSFUL NATIONAL SEMINAR ON “CULTURAL CONTEXT OF JOURNALISM” BY MAHARASHTRA STATE HINDI SAHITYA ACADEMY

Mumbai. 12th February. A National Seminar held in the auditorium of K. C. College Mumbai, on 10th February, 2024, under the joint aegis of Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Academy and Hindi Department of K. C. College, Mumbai on the topic ‘Cultural Context of Journalism’, was very successful and memorable.

The chief guest of the inaugural session of the seminar, Amarjeet Mishra, former vice president of Film City, while commenting accurately on the culture of journalism and its cultural context, said that the voice of nationalism is becoming vocal in today’s journalism. Chairperson of the session and Vice Chancellor of HSNC University, Hemlata Bagla, referring to the culture of the Hindi Department of K.C. College, stressed the continued need for holding such programs. Special guest Mohan Bane, while highlighting the difficulties of journalists, said that photo journalists present the truth in the same form with authenticity. Giving the keynote address of the seminar, Executive President of Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Academy, Dr. Sheetala Prasad Dubey said that journalism should be independent of its choice and give importance to national pride. Principal Dr. Tejashree Shanbagh gave the welcome speech. Senior journalist and author Sanjay Singh said that journalism strengthens its roots by connecting with the national cultural context.

Various aspects of the topic were discussed in four sessions from 9 am to 5 pm. In the first session, as the chief guest, Shachindra Tripathi, former editor of Navbharat Times, Mumbai, threw light on various dimensions of possible development in entire Uttar Pradesh including Ayodhya after the consecration of Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. While addressing as a subject expert, senior journalist Prasad Kathe said that even those who did not play any role in the demolition of the disputed structure of Ayodhya have now started saying loudly that they too had a hand in the incident. This is a lie which has been repeated and disguised as truth. He presented many examples of differentiating similar incidents under politics. He said that giving the word ‘Kar Seva’ like ‘Car Seva’ is a product of English journalism and mentality. This session was presided over by Satish Pandey, Former Vice Principal of K.J. Somaiya University. Jitendra Dixit described Mumbai as very sensitive, where the reaction to events in the country and abroad is seen the most. Yunus Khan, senior announcer of Vividh Bharati, highlighted the glorious history of radio in the cultural context of India. Rakesh Trivedi threw light on the changing nature of experiences from the point of view of journalism. The second session was presided over by senior journalist Vimal Mishra. The chief guest was Swapnil Savarkar, editor of ‘Hindustan Post’. Emphasizing the need to change the context of journalism, Savarkar highlighted the propaganda carried out by leftist historians in Indian history. He told how the leftists gave a negative color to the image of Devarshi Narad Muni. Talking about investigative journalism, he gave the example of Swatantryaveer Savarkar’s journalism, in which he told how Veer Savarkar had exposed the mercy petition of the great freedom fighter Madan Lal Dhingra which was suppressed under a conspiracy. Dr. Amey Pratap Singh, Managing Director of Yogayatan Group, while throwing light on his research based book ‘Global History of Ramayana’, gave researched and interesting information about the popularity of Ramayana in various forms in many Muslim countries as well as other religious countries.

Senior film journalist Parag Chhapekar described the Hindi film industry as the biggest medium of cultural expansion. Usha Mishra, former Hindi department head of MMP Shah College, also addressed the session. While presiding over the concluding session, Dr. Shitala Prasad Dubey, Executive President of Maharashtra State Hindi Sahitya Academy, highlighted in detail the relevance of the topic of the seminar. Vice Principal Smarjeet Padhi congratulated everyone on the successful organization of the seminar. Various sessions of this seminar, organized in conjunction with Dr. Ajit Kumar, senior professor of Hindi department of the college, were conducted by Dr. Usha Dubey, Dr. Sudhir Kumar Choubey, Rachna Hiran and Renu Sharma and vote of thanks was given by Bhagyashree Kachhara. In this seminar, apart from various participating speakers, the executive members of Maharashtra Rajya Hindi Sahitya Academy i.e. Shri Shyam Sharma, Prof. Markandey Tripathi and Gajanan Mahatpurkar were also present. The presence of a large number of journalists, Hindi lovers and students ensured the success of this national seminar.