The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today impressed upon the journalists to discharge their duties with utmost dedication, sincerity, honesty and above all responsibility as a committed professional. Badal was presiding over a function to launch the second version of Babushahi.com- an online news based portal in Punjabi and English to disseminate information regarding politics, state administration, business, entertainment and various ongoing developments across the globe instantly.
The Chief Minister lauded the unique venture of online news portal developed by an eminent Punjabi journalist Mr. Baljit Balli, to enable nearly 6.5 lac web based visitors to get vital information just on a click. Highlighting the credibility of print media, Mr. Badal said the readers believed news published in newspapers as next to God due to its trust worthiness. Mr. Badal also urged the journalists to play a pro-active role in creating a congenial environment of communal harmony, peace and amity in the society through their prolific writings and news reporting adding the Chief Minister said in his daily prayer (Ardas) he always pray for complete harmony, peace and brotherhood across the state as these were far more valuable and important for a healthy society even than the development process because overall development could only be feasible in a peaceful atmosphere.
Badal also appreciated the stupendous efforts of Mr. Balli in the promotion of Punjabi language, art and culture and the initiative taken by him in developing this news portal would prove to a milestone in a field of Punjabi journalism. The Chief Minister said it goes to the credit of SAD-BJP alliance government for making an enactment to declare Punjabi as an official language. Badal also urged the people especially the Punjabis to speak Punjabi with their kids so that they could be familiarized with their mother tongue right from their childhood. He pointed out that we must respect our mother tongue because it was instrumental in developing one’s overall personality to become an ideal citizen.
On the occasion the Chief Minister assured full support and cooperation on behalf of the Punjab Government to Mr. Balli for the success of a Babushahi news portal which was not only a vital communication link between the state administration and its people but also amongst the Punjabi diaspora settled abroad.
Addressing on the occasion Information & Public Relations and Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia announced an advertisement policy for online media to highlight the polices and programmes of the state government through online news portals with a prime objective to acquaint the Punjabi NRI’s across the World.Commending the endevour of Mr. Balli to launch news portal in Punjabi and English, Mr. Majithia said that with the radical emerging technologies in the media and journalism, the responsibilities of mediamen have also increased manifold. He urged the journalists to discharge their duties with their professional commitment and accountability in view of the changing technologies and trends in the journalism especially the latest concept of web based technologies.
Prominent among other who spoke on the occasion included President State Unit BJP Mr. Kamal Sharma Resident Editor Hindustan Times Mr. Ramesh Vinayak, former Canadian MP Mr. Gurbax Singh Malhi.Prominent amongst others who attended the function included former Union Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, General Secretary SAD Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, MLA Roopnagar Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Bibi Amanjot Kaur CEO & Chairman Santabanta.com Jagjivan Singh Ghai.