Date:10/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/10/stories/2005101016580300.htm

New Delhi

Print media has a great challenge: President

Staff Reporter

`Enlightened women very important for nation building'

CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARY: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam lighting the lamp at the 11th anniversary celebration of Indian Women's Press Corps, in New Delhi on Sunday. — Photo: V. Sudershan

NEW DELHI: Pointing out that news reporting in most States in India was largely urban-based, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Sunday said that this situation needed to be changed. Referring to the media as a partner in national development, he said the print media had a great challenge as India had a billion people with seven hundred million living in six hundred thousand villages.

Speaking at the 11th anniversary celebrations of Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC) here in the Capital, Dr. Kalam said: "A partner means that if somewhere an innovative use of organic cultivation is taking place and the productivity of wheat or rice is increased by two times, this is very important news. This news must be studied, analysed and propagated to many places in the country. Similarly, a water pond which for years remained unused and the farmers collectively worked together and made it operational, this indeed a big news and must be reported. Such reporting would enable rejuvenation of lakhs of water bodies which are non-operational in many States."

Highlighting the importance of media research, the President said it was essential to have research wings in the academic institutions and media establishments to develop quality and proactive media personnel in reporting news, event analysis, and multi-media design.

"The owners of news papers and electronic media should encourage research being carried out by experienced and young reporters for acquiring post-graduate qualifications which will improve the quality of content of the print and electronic media," he added.

He suggested that IWPC constitute a multi-disciplinary team to study and bring out an objective report on the problems faced by women journalists working in different parts of the country through systematic research. He also suggested that IWPC should organise workshops for young women journalists who have recently joined media organisations to improve their skill sets so that they could contribute to their organisations in their reporting through a woman's perspective.

Talking about the role of women in nation building, Dr. Kalam that women were equal partners in national development. "Women are shining in every field. They are becoming doctors, engineers, advocates, teachers, political leaders, administrators, police officials, professionals and they have also joined the armed forces. You have all got to take responsibility of promoting a noble society," he said. Citing examples of leading women in different fields, the President said enlightened women were very important for nation building since their thoughts and the way of working would lead to faster development of a good family, good society and a good nation.