Prof. K.V. Thomas MP,Chairman, Public Accounts Committee,
Shri Suresh Gopi MP,
Shri Hibi Eden MLA,
Shri P.Y. Manesh, Recipient of the Award,
Shri P. Rajeev, former M.P.
Shri P.A. Abdul Gafoor, President, Kerala Union of Working Journalists,
Shri K. Ravikumar, President, Press Club, Ernakulam,
Shri A. Madhavan, State President, Senior Journalists Forum,
Shri S. Unnikrishnan, Secretary, Press Club, Ernakulam,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmaare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram
I am happy to address you all after conferring the P.S. John Endowment Award, 2016 on Shri P.V. Manesh, National Security Guard Commando, whom the nation had honoured with the Shourya Chakra in 2009. I render my greetings to all dignitaries assembled here in this august gathering. Journalists are the most empowered citizens under the Constitution of India, whose service to the country is inevitable in the process of strengthening the democracy. I am very delighted to be in midst of journalist fraternity who is the fourth pillar of democracy on this blissful day.
Let me at the outset, congratulate Commando P.V. Manesh on being selected for this Endowment Award. This is yet another token of gratitude and mark of respect from the people of Kerala for our Awardee’s brave response at the time of a national crisis.
The award is presented, since 1996, to persons who make significant contributions to society. Commando Manesh thus earns a place along with eminent former recipients like the Late E.M.S. Nampoothirippad, Dr. E. Sreedharan, Shri V.J. Kurien, Shri V.S. Achuthanandan, Shri Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Smt. K.R. Gowriamma etc.
As we all know, National Security Guards Commando P.V. Manesh was part of the team that handled the Operation BLACK TORNARDO on the night of 26th November 2008, in Mumbai. His task was to locate and eliminate terrorists from Mumbai's Hotel Oberoi, where terrorists had already killed 34 civilians. The team led by this brave commando could rescue 31 foreign and Indian Nationals, in pitch darkness. As a person who had participated and proved his mettle in Operation Vijay at Kargil, Operation Parakram and other military operations, commando Manesh fought valiantly, until a grenade blast severely wounded and rendered him unconscious. It was in the same operation that India had lost many valiant lives, including that of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan from Kerala.
The injuries that Shri Manesh had suffered have taken their toll on his health, but the commando in him is still active and inspires all of us in submitting ourselves to the service of the motherland. The nation will always be thankful and proud of him.
Besides saluting this valiant soldier, today's function also recalls the services of another veteran, whose pen was mightier than the sword.
The Late P.S. John, in whose memory this award has been instituted, was one of the founders of this Press Club, which itself was the first to be set up in the country. He had also served as the President of the Ernakulam Press Club. As a long time Bureau Chief of Malayala Manorama daily, P.S. John had established himself as a political commentator, whose words were respected and above all, TRUSTED.
I would call your attention to the word 'trusted' which I mentioned just now. Being a trusted source of information and views is what every medium, print, cyber or electronic aims to become. Talking of Malayalam journalism, veteran editor and columnist Shri T.J.S. George has said that though technologies, methodologies, ideas and even the language have changed, the high principles of serving the people have remained more or less unchanged. According to him, Malayalam dailies and publications find a place in the top ten in India, not on the strength of the population, but because of the class and quality of its readers.
In my outlook, journalism is one of the finest professions, which not only requires knowledge and skill but also equally entails a strong willed personality, who fears none yet doesn’t overlook no one. It is a profession of balance. There is no right or wrong; good or bad; fair or unfair in this profession - it is just precise broadcasting of news. Nonetheless, in recent years this integral aspect of journalism is being gradually overshadowed and the profession is made more as an opinionating forum.
Objective and impartial broadcasting of news is an indispensable tool, and one of the cornerstones of a democratic society. When this aspect is taken away or tinkered with, the constitution will dissolved and tyranny will be erected on its ruins. Thus, the journalists and the media body as a whole have an inherent command from their profession to be a responsible journalist, be it in any forum.
Yours is a distinguishing profession, which works based on cooperation yet maintains its distinctiveness. You are the voice of the public in highlighting the collective grievances of the people and enable their sentiments to be conveyed as well as the forum for the Government to announce and propaganda the welfare programme for the public. The journalists’ fraternity for several decades has performed this dual role with great ease, which is certainly applaudable and I record my appreciation on this occasion.
There is wide criticism that journalists who were considered as an important element of the construction of the welfare society converted are now converted as the agents to propagate the principles of market economy and corporate culture. I have seen no statistics to approve or disapprove this claim; however, if it is even one percent true that we are marching in this direction than it is high time the journalists’ fraternity stands up against this corporatization of this noble profession.
To meet the commercial concerns in highly competitive environment, in an attempt to be the first to break the news, sensational and provocative headlines are flashed even before all facts have been fully verified. Nonetheless, we should all comprehend that to a large extent yesterday’s journalism is today’s history. Just so today’s journalism will be the dominant part of tomorrow’s history. Thus you journalists owe a larger responsibility and accountability not only to the present generation but the future as well. Journalism is the principal means of making the picture of the world in any citizen’s head something more than a caricature of the real thing. You have the power to mold public opinion and motivate the society should be pioneers of change and development. Considering the vast power your clan possess, you should not be confined within the trap of commercialism. Your pious duty is larger than these petty economic interest.
I also take this opportunity to thank the journalistic fraternity in India for the positive role you continue to play in society, especially in promoting and defending the ideals of freedom and just governance. I have no doubt that media has a multidimensional role to play in the promotion of society’s values and virtues as well as in the dispensation of justice. However, with the advent of twenty-four hour satellite news channels, Internet and blogs etc. the task before today’s media person is more demanding. Never allow the market force to determine the news. Remember, journalism’s first obligation is to the truth and its first loyalty is to citizens.
Nowadays, it is disturbing to see the freedom of media coverage being restricted without adequate reason and on the basis of conflicts in interactions. Such a conflict had resulted in the stand-off between Lawyers and the Media-persons in Kerala. Both Lawyers and the Media-persons perform significant duties in a democracy, and I had appealed for a peaceful agreement, but sadly, the issue still continues. The result is that people are not being informed about what happens in various court halls. Even verdicts with wider implications, remain unknown. This is not good for a democracy.
In conclusion, I compliment the Press Club of Ernakulam for the befitting manner in which this ceremony was conducted. I also convey my best regards to the family members of Commando P.V. Manesh, who has been honoured today.
Ellaavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
