Bhopal:Saturday, June 21:Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that media is like a friend who comes out with healthy criticism. The weaknesses and shortcomings highlighted through healthy criticism pave the way for improvement. The Chief Minister expressed these views while inaugurating silver jubilee celebrations of Madhavrao Sapre Newspapers Museum at T.T.T.I. auditorium here today. Public Relations Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma presided over the function while special guests included former chief ministers Shri Sundal Lal Patwa, Commercial Taxes Minister Shri Babulal Gaur, former Union Minister Shri Suresh Pachauri and Bhopal Municipal Corporation Mayor Shri Sunil Sood.
Shri Chouhan said that by adopting merely negative approach the media neither justifies with itself nor the readers. He said that media should also pay full attention to positive activities on every front including politics. He said that it is imperative for a democracy that both negative and positive views and news should find a place in media. Shri Chouhan said that the aim of all the people, including those working in media, government and administration is the same which is country’s development and welfare of its citizens.
The Chief Minister commended museum’s founder Shri Vijay Dutt Shridhar. He said that only a devoted person can establish such a museum and collect and preserve rare material. While congratulating all those honoured during the silver jubilee celebrations, Shri Chouhan said that all of us feel honoured by honouring such dedicated dignitaries.
Shri Laxmikant Sharma said that the museum is one of Bhopal’s identities. He wished for the museum’s constant progress and rise in its popularity.
Shri Babulal Gaur said that India’s history of last 250 years is preserved in the museum in the shape of newspapers and magazines. He gave its credit to Shri Vijay Dutt Shridhar.
Shri Suresh Pachauri said that museums are mirrors of past and provokers of future planning. Sapre Museum has carved out a distinguished niche not only in the state but throughout the country. Shri Pachauri extended congratulations on the occasion of the museum’s silver jubilee.
Shri Sundarlal Patwa said that the museum established 25 years ago is akin to a seed taking shape of massive tree. He praised Shri Shridhar for his exemplary dedication to accomplish his great mission.
Later, the Chief Minister and other distinguished guests bestowed All India Madhavrao Sapre Award on editor of Ranchi-based Dainik Prabhat Khabar Shri Harivansh by presenting to him Rs 21 thousand, a shawl, coconut and memento. Those also honoured included Gandhian activist Shri S.N. Subbarao, folk culturist Shri Amritlal Begad, author Sushri Chitra Mudgal, poet and thinker Shri Balkavi Bairagi, ballet and folk artiste Sushri Gul Vardhan, environmentallist Shri Anupam Mishra, educationist Dr Sashi Rai, Urdu litterateur Shri Iqbal Majeed, investigative journalist Shri Rajkumar Keswani and film actor Shri Govind Namdev. Each of them was presented a shawl, coconut, citation and memento.
For conservation of heritage Shri Pramod Chaturvedi of Khandwa and Shri Asesh Guru were also honoured. They have donated to the museum the rare collections of poet and journalist the late Shri Makhanlal Chaturvedi and grammarian Pt. Kamta Prasad Guru. In fact, Shri Chaturvedi and Shri Guru have contributed maximum material to the museum.
The function was also addressed by Sapre Award winner Shri Harivansh and Shri S.N. Subbarao. Shri Harivansh dedicated his award to his Prabhat Khabar collegues. Shri Subbarao warned against loss to the country in the name of religions, castes and languages. He made those present at the function to sing a patriotic song with him.
Earlier, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan and other guests inaugurated the function by offering garlands to the portraits of Maa Saraswati and Madhavrao Sapre.
Museum’s founder Shri Vijay Dutt Shridhar dwelt in detail about its activities right since its inception. He said that the museum which was started with only 73 documents now has 25 lakh pages in 25th year of its existence. For the establishment of the museum and its progress, Shri Shridhar thanked the state government, Public Relations Department, Bhopal Municipal Corporation and those 450 families who have donated rare documents preserved for generations by their forefathers.
Welcome address was delivered by Bhopal Municipal Corporation Mayor Shri Sunil Sood while member of museum’s board of directors Shri Ashok Manoria proposed a vote of thanks.
Those also present at the function included Rajya Sabha member Shri Prabhat Jha, former Chhattisgarh minister Shri Satyanarayan Sharma, veteran journalist Shri Prabhash Joshi, Makhanlal Journalism Institute’s director general Shri Achyutanand Mishra, Commissioner Public Relations Shri Manoj Shrivastava and distinguished personalities of journalism, literature and cultures.