Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh today said the strengthening the nationalistic thought is the need of the hour for making India self-reliant and prosperous in every spare of life.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a function organized by the Journal Chanakya Varta on the topic “Prathvi Ka Surag - J&K aur Rajiki Chintayan” at Press Club here today.Vice-Chancellor of Central University, Himachal Pradesh, Dr K C Agnihotri, MLC Ramesh Arora, Brigadier (Retd) Suchet Singh, academicians, journalists and people from different walks of life were present on the occasion.Dr Nirmal Singh said the media has important role in shaping up and building the nation by reporting objectively and truthfully without giving preference to any particular school of thought. He said the role of media has increased manifold in the present age of globalization and technological advancement.
The Dy CM said Indian democratic set up has achieved much in a very short span of time. He said the nation is being recognized as one of the major powers in the globe both militarily as well as economically. “The initiatives being taken by the Centre have been instrumental in ensuring that our country has made substantial progress in every field and is being recognized internationally”, he said.Dr Singh said certain forces and countries are trying hard to foment trouble in our country and they would be given a befitting reply. He said the country is fully capable of thwarting the nefarious designs of the antinational elements.While complimenting the organizers for organizing the function, the Dy CM said that the magazine is full of quality material and would be beneficial to the youth. “Besides it would also serve as a referral point to the students of history, politics and art,” he said.The Deputy Chief Minister released a special J&K issue of the Magazine and later distributed awards among the Journalists, academicians, policemen and also special award was posthumously given to Captain Tushar Mahajan of Udhampur.