Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (MS)

Brahmavar, Jan 12: “Newspapers act as the alarm bell of social responsibility and the voice of the community,” said Dr Mohan Alva, president of Alvas Education Foundation, Moodbidri.
Dr Alva was speaking at the Vaddarse Raghurama Shetty journalism award function held at Brahmavar Buntara Bhavana on Saturday.

Deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari inaugurated the event and remarked, “Journalism is in a crisis today. Honest news and fearless journalism are the need of the hour. Vaddarse was a role model for journalists, portraying the reality of situations rather than painting a rosy picture for society.”

The programme was presided over by president Rajesh Ganiga Achladi. The Vaddarse Raghurama Shetty journalism award was presented to senior journalist Ravi Hegde.

Chittoor Prabhakara Acharya, honorary president of the district Rajyotsava award-winning association, was felicitated on the occasion. Journalists Jogi (Girish Rao Hatwar) and K C Rajesh delivered congratulatory speeches.

MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary, MLA Yashpal Suvarna, Michael Rodrigues of the Udupi District Working Journalists Association, entrepreneur Sudhakar Shetty, and the convener of Brahmavar Buntara Bhavana, Bhujanga Shetty, were present.

Founder president of the association, Chittoor Prabhakara Acharya, welcomed the gathering. Programme convener Vasantha Giliyaru delivered the introductory speech, while secretary Harish Kiran Tunga proposed the vote of thanks. Vice president Chandrashekhar Beejadi compered the event.

A collection of the Mungaaru newspaper curated by Prashant Neelavara, HoD of political science at Udupi Tenkanidiyoor First Grade College and Postgraduate Studies, along with contributions from student Vignesh Shenoy and others, captivated the audience.

Ravi Hegde said, “Media is in a crisis today. For the media to survive, the number of readers must increase.”