OUJ celebrates 51st OUJ Foundation Day: Journalists’ role in development process is crucial, say eminent speakers

By Sukanta Kumar Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: The role of journalists in development process is very crucial. The scribes bring to light issues concerning people’s interests and present them before the administration for necessary actions. In Odisha, the journalists have always performed their duties quite ethically and professional touch, said eminent persons attending the 51st Foundation Day of Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ).

Senior Congress leader and Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray and BJD lawmaker from Bhubaneswar Central Ananta Narayan Jena, while acknowledging the contributions of the journalists in shaping the public opinion, exhorted them to make persistent effort to help the government understand the people’s plights and problems.

“Journalists have been relentlessly writing about burning issues of Odisha. Their positive reporting is helping us understand the people’s problems and plights, thus helping the state government to be more responsive,” the guests said at the Foundation Day ceremony presided over by OUJ President Prasanna Mohanty.

On the occasion, OUJ president Mr Mohanty submitted a five-point memorandum to the lawmakers for professional and socio-economic security of the journalists.

The demands in the memorandum include enhancement of Gopabandhu Swasthya Bima Yojana coverage from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, enactment of Journalists Protection Act, implementation of Journalists Pension Scheme, revival of Journalists Accreditation Committee and recommending the Union Railway Ministry for restoration of Rail Travel Concession for Journalists.

Local corporator Ashia Begum, OUJ vice president Kishan Rout, national executive members Akshaya Sahoo and Pramod Samantaray, Haladhar Dhir, Lingaraj Mishra, Abhay Pati, Bhaskar Behera, Snehajit Palai, Prafulla Mohanty, Prabodh Mishra, Pradip Mishra and many others spoke on the occasion.

While OUJ Bhubaneswar convenor Chinmay Mohapatra welcomed the guests and delegates, state executive member Acharya Biswa Ranjan gave vote of thanks.

On the occasion, OUJ’s own news portal oujnews.com and logo was unveiled by the esteemed guests.