Hindustan Times' Team at the 18 anniversary function of the Hindustan Times Chandigarh on April 18, 2018
Chandigarh, April 18, 2018 :: Top leaders of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday underlined the important role the media can play in shaping opinion in the current challenging times by focusing on peoplecentric issues instead of personality cults.
Punjab governor VP Singh Badnore, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal were speaking at a function held by Hindustan Times to celebrate completion of 18 years in the region.
HT was launched from Chandigarh April 18, 2000, to cater to Punjab, Haryana, HP, J&K, and Chandigarh.
The common thread running through most speeches at the event, attended by a galaxy of leaders and opinion makers from diverse fields, was the role of the media and the challenges it faces. Badnore, also the Chandigarh administrator, said newspapers should take up issues that are apolitical in nature and can make a difference, citing stubble burning as one such topic. “It is an environment issue which affects a lot of people. It is said because of stubble burning cancer is increasing,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Capt Amarinder, who is a military historian himself, dwelt on the challenges faced by newspapers from social media. “Times are changing. Whatsapp and Facebook are taking over. People like me will continue to read newspapers, but it’s not clear what coming generations will do. Newspapers will have to work to stay a step ahead. I am sure you are putting your heads together on this,” he said.
Khattar said political rivals keep indulging in blame game, but newspapers should rise above developing personality cults. “Governments keep changing. Instead of comparing personalities, the media should highlight comparisons between the systems followed by different governments and their people-centric initiatives. This will inspire and encourage governments to learn from good practices of others,” said the Haryana chief minister before listing a slew of reforms initiated by his government.
Badal, a five-time former CM, said newspapers needed to focus on agriculture, peace and communal harmony.
“About 65% of people depend on agriculture, but the sector does not get enough attention. Also, the country and the state cannot be successful unless there is peace and communal harmony,” he said. He termed the recent incidents of rape as “shameful” and demanded that rapists should be hanged.
Earlier, HT editor-in-chief Sukumar Ranganathan while welcoming the guests said HT was privileged to be the chronicler of the journey of many of the states in the region. “As we stand here, we stand at a very critical juncture for journalism itself. You don’t just have fake news. You have instant fake news. In this, a clear, credible, sane, trustworthy voice is what people look forward to. Our goal at Hindustan Times is to provide across platforms an unbiased, clear-minded journalism,” he said. HT executive editor Ramesh Vinayak delivered the vote of thanks.
"Chandigarh mein hamara bhi hissa hai" says Himchal CM
Chandigarh: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday raised the issue of state’s claim in 7.19% posts of Chandigarh administration as per the provisions of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
“Chandigarh main humara bhi hisssa hai (Himachal also has a share in Chandigarh). Our share of 7.19% in posts of the UT administration had not been taken up effectively by the previous governments. But we will raise this issue without getting into any sort of confrontation,” Thakur during ‘Meet the Press’ programme organised by Chandigarh Press Club here on Wednesday.
He, however, said the state government will take up the issue with the Centre, Punjab and Haryana peacefully, without any political motive.
While Thakur said his motive to hold the press conference was only to meet mediapersons in the City Beautiful, the matter of Himachal’s share in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana overlapped other issues.
‘WILL RAISE ISSUE OF SHARE IN BBMB POWER PROJECTS’
The CM added that the state will also raise the issue of its 7.19% share in electricity generated from power projects run by Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) with the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
“We have been demanding state’s share in electricity generated from BBMB power projects for long. In 2011, the Supreme Court had upheld the state’s claim of 7.19% share in power projects in Himachal Pradesh’s territory under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966,” he said.
Thakur added, “We understand that state governments are not in such a financial position that they can pay arrears to us in one go. We are going to request our neighbours to make payments in small installments.”
The state had worked out over ₹4,000 crore of arrears as per the share.
Thakur said he already met Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the state chief secretary in this regard.
To a question on whether HP will seek any royalty from Punjab and Haryana for water supply, Thakur said the state will raise its demand as per the Supreme Court ruling.
“Water flows from Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and even Delhi. Former HP CM Shanta Kumar had once demanded royalty for power projects, but it was not taken seriously,” he said.
( Hindustan Times report -April 19, 2018 )
http://htsyndication.com/htsportal/hindustan-times/article/-media-should-focus-on-people-centric-issues-/26986905