News & Pics: Shekar Ajekar & Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/VA)
Mangalore, Feb 1: Dakshina Kannada (DK) district working journalists’ Association led by secretary Mithun Kodettoor organized a study tour to the residence of a 65-year old Umesh Rao located at Yekkar, near Kateel on Sunday January 31 to view his life-time collection of newspapers, journals and magazines of various state languages.
Over twenty five journalists along with many journalism students from city and suburban Mulky and Moodbidri region visited the house.
Umesh Rao, a science graduate served as a vice- principal of a school till his retirement. He has vivid hobbies such as collecting samples of old newspapers, magazines and journals published in different Indian languages, besides philately and farming. He has provided access to his collection to a large group of budding journalists.
Umesh told the Daijiworld reporter that media should have a balanced approach because most of them publish reports of lesser importance more frequently, thereby disregarding the significant reports which are of much value to the society.
Association vice-president R Ramakrishna, DK district information and broadcasting officer Rohini K felicitated Umesh Rao. “A poet, who has penned a few limericks, gets honour from many. The honour makes him popular overnight. Meanwhile the genuine journalist who has life-time collection of newspapers is neglected, hence the information and broadcasting bureau in all over the state, takes an opportunity, in order to visit such veterans at their residences while the visit also enriches the knowledge of journalists and budding professionals”, said Rohini K.
The journalists viewed over 3,500 tagged samples of newspapers, ranging from much circulated Times of India, Malayalam Manorama, Anand Bazar Patrika and many more dailies in different languages across India and other countries, which were cherished by Umesh Rao at his abode. It was indeed a university for the journalism students. Moreover it was a unique experience, sharing the hospitality, enjoying the scenic beauty of farmland owned by Umesh.