Effective media will benefit nation: PM

Media Coverage | 14-07-2024

Narendra Modi inaugurates INS Tower in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the more effectively the media will work, the stronger the country’s democracy will be, and this will benefit the country too. Moreover, the media cannot remain just a silent spectator, for it has a significant responsibility to give direction to the country, he noted.

Prime Minister Modi was speaking after inaugurating the impressive building of the Indian Newspaper Society at Bandra Kurla Complex. Seated on the dais were Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais, chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and Indian Newspaper Society president Rakesh Sharma.

When a plan or scheme is announced by the government, it does not remain just the government’s programme. The media should take that programme to every household. If the country’s media associates itself with development, looking beyond politics, the country will benefit. Environment and tourism are national issues and should be looked at with a sense of humanity, keeping aside politics. The media should come together to promote tourism in the country. Emphasising the need for the media to increase its global presence, Prime Minister Modi said serious efforts should be made in this direction. He acknowledged the space constraints in the newspapers but pointed out the vast space available in the digital media. Through these mediums, new ideas can be advanced and democracy can be strengthened. The more effectively the media will work, the faster the country will progress, he said.

This new building at the Bandra Kurla Complex will fulfil the need for modern and efficient office space for INS members in Mumbai, serving as a crucial central hub for the city’s newspaper industry, said Rakesh Sharma while welcoming the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. He also elaborated on INS’ role.

The idea of an independent building for INS in Maharashtra was first proposed by the then president of INS Dr Vijay Darda. He not only presented this idea to the then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh but also suggested a suitable space in BKC. Dr Darda initiated correspondence with Deshmukh and various government agencies to secure the land, persistently following up the matter. After Deshmukh, Dr Darda continued coordinating with the successive chief ministers including Prithviraj Chavan and Devendra Fadnavis to ensure the project moved forward, eventually securing the land for the building. Today, an impressive building of INS stands on that site.

I had a regret that there was no independent building for INS in Maharashtra, while there was one in Delhi. Even when I was the president of INS, I raised this issue before the members and persistently followed it up. All the former chief ministers responded positively. I am satisfied that along with me, Hormusji Cama, Naresh Mohan and all the presidents of INS thereafter made sincere efforts to complete this building. This has resulted in the grand building standing today.”

– Dr Vijay Darda

Prime Minister Narendra inaugurated the office of Indian Newspaper Society at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai on Saturday.  Also seen on the occasion Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais, chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, INS president Rakesh Sharma, INS Executive Council member Dr Vijay Darda, chairman of Indian Express Vivek Goenka, executive director of Times of India Mohit Jain, chief of Daily Hindustan Vilas Marathe and chief of other media organisations.

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