Mandi Press Club Celebrates National Hindi Journalism Day with Thought-Provoking Symposium.
Shimla:
The Mandi Press Club marked National Hindi Journalism Day with a meaningful and insightful event organized for the first time at the Press Bhavan, Ramnagar, Mandi on Friday May 30. The program, presided over by Club President Subhash Thakur, brought together eminent scholars, senior journalists, and media professionals to reflect on the past, present, and future of Hindi journalism.
The event’s chief guest, Dr. Chaman Premi, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Vallabh Government College, Mandi, and special guest District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) Hemant Kumar, were warmly welcomed with floral greetings.
In his keynote address, Dr. Chaman Premi stated, “India’s media landscape is the world’s largest democratic network and is rich in linguistic and cultural diversity.” He underlined the significance of scientific thinking in journalism and urged journalists to promote awareness, rationality, and constitutional values in society.
Dr. Premi raised concern over India’s declining press freedom, citing the country’s 151st rank in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, and emphasized the need for fearless and unbiased journalism. He noted that Hindi journalism began with the historic publication of Udant Martand on May 30, 1826, in Kolkata by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla, marking a pivotal moment in Indian media history.
DPRO Hemant Kumar assured full support from the administration for such initiatives, emphasizing the importance of responsible journalism in shaping public opinion.
Veteran journalist D.P. Gupta, the keynote speaker, highlighted the revolutionary role of newspapers during India’s freedom struggle. He recalled that Hindi journalism emerged as a strong voice during a time dominated by English, Urdu, and Bengali publications.
Other senior journalists including Murari Sharma, Birbal Sharma, and Ankush Sood expressed views on commercialization, ethical challenges, and the need for professional training among emerging media professionals.
The program was anchored by Treasurer Bhagat Singh Guleria and coordinated by Secretary Hansraj Saini. The event concluded with a collective resolve to protect the values of journalism and further enhance its role in a democratic society.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from media professionals including Roop Lal Kondal,Rajneesh Himalian, Rakesh Sharma, Narender Sharma, Viplav Saklani, and many others from across Mandi district.
