NEW DELHI: To celebrate the oneyear successful journey of development journalism in the country, Blitz India organised a grand event at the India International Centre, on February 18. Besides the high-profile dignitaries on stage, the event was attended by some of the top names in the field of academics, law, politics, bureaucracy, and journalism.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta was the Chief Guest of the evening, while Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak was the Distinguished Guest. Chairperson, Press Council of India Justice Ranjana P Desai, G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, and BJP Disciplinary Committee Secretary Om Pathak were the Guests of Honour.
In their respective address to the massive gathering, the luminaries lauded Blitz India for its pioneering efforts in development journalism, and exhorted other publications to follow suit. The speakers stressed on the need to highlight the development agenda being pursued by the Government. Positive initiatives carried out by individuals and institutions need to be spread across the country and the globe, they urged.
Four new launches
Amid thunderous applause from the audience, the gala function also witnessed the launch of the UK edition of Blitz India, besides the legal supplement of the newspaper, titled Blitz Legal. An upgraded news website and the YouTube channel of Blitz India were also unveiled on the occasion.
Giant screens behind the stage and at the main driveway right outside the venue showing relevant video footage added to the grandeur of the event.
Welcoming the speakers in his opening address, Deepak Dwivedi, Chairman & Editor-Chief of Blitz India, spoke of the rationale behind the launch of the newspaper focused on development news. He recounted the negativity and criticism it had to withstand in the initial stages, and his resolve to carry forward the mission with greater vigour.
In his address, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta lamented the irrationality of illbranding development journalism. “If each and every work done by our nation under the able leadership of our honourable Prime Minister reaches every individual, it is not going to be the publicity of a political party, but it’s going to infuse a sense of confidence amongst each and every citizen that India is no less than a superpower,” he said.
India transformed
G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant expressed his appreciation for “the great work that Blitz India is doing”. Emphasising against the use of sensationalism in news, he cited the progress India has made in recent times. “It is important to understand that in the last seven to eight years, we have seen India getting transformed in many ways,” he said. Carrying the informative discussions ahead, Justice Desai spoke about the negativity prevalent in news today. “The invitation to today’s event introduced me to something new – something called developmental journalism, which has no negativity, which is always constructive,” she said.
Sharing his thoughts at the event, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said development journalism pioneered by the weekly newspaper is a revolutionary step. This bold initiative of Blitz India must be appreciated and supported by all, he urged. The Distinguished Guest recounted the development work done by the Modi-Government and the progress made by the country under the guidance of the Prime Minister.
Former bureaucrat Om Pathak described Blitz India’s development journalism mission, launched during the Amrit Kaal of India’s Independence, as a unique, courageous, inspirational, and praiseworthy step.
