Punjab and Haryana Governor, Kaptan Singh Solanki said here today that media can build and mould public opinion for women empowerment.Addressing a National Media Seminar on the “Role of Media in Women Empowerment” at the Brahma Kumaris Ashram in Mohali, Solanki said that public opinion can remove all vices and is most lethal weapon against all sins prevailing in the society. He said that for development of any nation, it is most pertinent to bring women in the forefront.He said that our country is not a male dominated nation but a country where women are worshipped. He said that no family would be happy if woman of the house is unhappy. Let women be the change, let women be the light and let them take charge. The Governor said that for the emancipation of women in every field, self decision making, economic independence and creating awareness in them about their rights and responsibilities is very important. He said that media is considered as one of the most effective and important tool in this regard. It can work for the development of women and gender equality.
The Governor said that besides media, the state and Central government have always chalked out various programmes to empower women. He said that the Prime Minister, Narender Modi has recently launched twin programmes of “beti bachao, beti padhao” and “sukanya samridhi account” in a bid to encourage and educate girls. He extensively quoted Swami Vivekanand to build his argument for women empowerment.He lauded the role of journalists in investigative journalism and quipped that earlier it was said that where rays of sun could not reach, poets reached there and now investigative journalists reach at a place where even poets did not reach “jahan na pahunche ravi, wahan pahunche patarkar”.
In his keynote address, Prof. Kamal Dixit, Editor, Mulyanugat Media and Prof and Head Makhanlal Chaturvedi University, Bhopal said that our values have come under a question mark in present times that was perhaps the reason that there was felt the need for a seminar on women empowerment. He said that time had come when media has to take a resolve to uphold values and generate hope.Ramesh Vinayak, Senior Resident Editor, the Hindustan Times and recipient of Excellence in Reporting Award, in his address said that “media has been playing a pro-active role in women empowerment. However, there is a need to celebrate achievements by women in all spheres, to work for gender equality. It is not just law but media that can foster women empowerment. It is media that can change mindsets”. He said that women have to act as catalysts of change. Emphasizing need for women education, he said that if you educate a man, you educate a man alone, but when you educate a woman, you educate the whole generation. He said that media cannot lose sight off the fact that it is still urban centric and women living in remote villages are still living a pitiable life. He talked about more women in media and said that not many were holding important positions like those of editors in newspapers and television channels.
Deepak Dhiman, State Head, Dainik Bhaskar for the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh said that media had always come to the help of ordinary people when they need intervention. He said that upright journalists had always held the fourth estate high in public esteem. He said that Danik Bhaskar had built 1000 toilets for girl students in Rajasthan schools. He said that much before government came out with an imitative concerning education of girls, Dainik Bhaskar had launched “beti padhao” movement in year 2011.Ms Paramjit Kaur Landra, Chairperson, Punjab State Women Commission, during her address gave full credit to media for reservation of women in civic bodies. She said time was ripe for similar reservation of 33 per cent for women in State Assemblies and Parliament. She recalled that in many cases like Jesica Lal murder case and Nirbhaya case, media had aroused public opinion. She also spoke against female foeticide, dowry and other vices in the society.
Rajyogi B.K. Amir Chand, Vice-Chairperson, All India Social Service Wing said that media should try to shun negative news may be once a week to send positive vibes. He appreciated role of media in women empowerment but said that women should not be objectified as a commodity in media. They should, instead be an object of worship.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion were B.K.Shantanu Hqrs. Coordinator Media Wing and B.K. Komal Coordinator PMTV News who had especially came from Mount Abu.