Hyderabad : A 2-days conference of the National Executive of the NUJ (India) was held at Dausa, Rajasthan last week. Around 200 journalists from State of India attended the conference. The conference was inauguratedthe lighting the lamp by the MrsJaskaurMeena (local MP and a former Union Minister), Justice (Retd.) Mahesh Chandra Sharma (Acting President, Human Rights Commission),MrAnandRana (Member Press Council of India),MrPrasannaMohanty (Secre tary General NUJI) and MrRasBihari (President NUJI). Addressing the delegates, MrsJaskaurMeena, praised the journalists and said that, “The journalists have worked as Corona warriors tirelessly and fearlessly throughout the country. I am aware of the problems that the journalists are facing today. They strengthen democratic values through their work.” She also assured them to raise their voice in Parliament whenever required. Justice Sharma said that, he had taken cognizance of the problems of journalists many times and is aware about their problems. He has always taken action of every problem related with journalists which is brought before the Commission. MrAnandRana said that, the Council has recommended to the Central and State gov ernments for medical insurance of journalists and also to pro vide economic package to them as Corona warriors. The police is filing false cases against journalists. No atrocity against any journalist will be tolerated at any cost, he further said. He also suggested for a National Register for Journalists in India. Arun Joshi, the Joint Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting department opined that Rajasthan government has announced many welfare schemes in the current budget for the journalists. 

The pension to a journalist has been increased to 15000/ and medical insurance has also been increased to 5 lakh. The government is sensitive towards journalists’ safety.MrPrasannaMohanty informed that some fake members of the Union are acting against the mission of the NUJI but we are the original Union and will not allow them to sabotage our objectives. He also shared the roadmap of the next year Golden Jubilee celebration of the NUJI in January 2022. MrRasBihari while concluding the conference said that, “The life and reputation of a journalist is at stake today. The journalists are worst hit by the media houses during Corona pandemic. Their families are starving and no one is ready to help. The Union has staged 3 demonstrations at Parliament in the last one year against retrenchment of hundreds of journalists in recent times. NUJI has also written more than 30 letters to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, I & B Minster and to the Chief Ministers of States to bring the plight and pathetic conditions of journalists to their notice. The press will become hostage, if we remain silent. We are relentlessly fighting for constitution of journalists’ safety act, media commission, media council and digital media policy for last many years. The Non-implementation of wage board recommendations is another issue of concern.” The Journalists Association of Rajasthan (JAR), the host Union had arranged a cultural evening by local artists. Day-2 of the conference started with the deliberations by the national executive of issues related with State units and thereafter every delegate was presented souvenirs by the host Union. The host Union had arranged Darshan of MehendipurBalaji for all the delegates, where they had privilege visit the famous Balaji Temple in all its three forms followed by the lunch hosted by the MehendipurBalaji Trust.

The Trust also honoured individual journalist with a blanket and prasad. The journey from Dausa to Balaji temple was very well planned with refreshment, tea, coffee and cold drinks at different places. The locals welcomed the journalists with rose petals en route. The journalists coming from different states parted ways with a commitment to meet early to take forward the ongoing struggle.Mr Syed Sirajuddin from Hyderabad, Telangana presented Memorandam in regardint journalists facing problems to MrRasBihari President of NUJ (India)Mr Mahesh Balahadi organization Secretary (JAR) said vote of Thanks.