Munish Sood
The Mandi Press Club on Saturday hosted a significant event to mark National Hindi Journalism Day, commemorating the legacy and evolution of Hindi journalism in India. Held for the first time at the Press Bhawan in Ramnagar, the event drew participation from prominent figures in media and academia, sparking meaningful conversations around the challenges and future direction of Hindi journalism.
The programme was presided over by Press Club President Subhash Thakur, with Dr. Chaman Premi, noted academician from Vallabh Government College, Mandi, and District Public Relations Officer Hemant Kumar gracing the occasion as chief guests. Guests were felicitated with floral bouquets by the club’s executive members.
Delivering the keynote address, senior journalist D.P. Gupta highlighted the historic significance of Hindi journalism in India’s freedom struggle. “In a time dominated by newspapers in English, Urdu, Persian, and Bengali, the launch of Udant Martand in 1826 was a bold and revolutionary step that gave Hindi journalism its own identity,” he said.
Dr. Chaman Premi emphasized the evolving role of journalists in society.
“Journalists today are working as one-man armies, handling immense responsibilities with limited resources. They are not only the voice of the people but also face pressing issues of their own. Journalism now needs to adopt a more scientific and research-driven approach to keep pace with modern societal demands,” he remarked.
He further shared that India currently has over 1.46 lakh registered newspapers and nearly 900 active news channels, but the depth and direction of journalism must evolve in line with global standards.
District Public Relations Officer Hemant Kumar assured full cooperation from the administration for organizing such events in the future and lauded the initiative of Mandi Press Club for honouring Hindi journalism’s rich legacy.
Press Club President Subhash Thakur, in his address, offered warm wishes to journalists on the occasion and recalled the origin of Hindi journalism through Udant Martand, published on 30 May 1826 by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in Kolkata.
“This was not just the beginning of a newspaper—it was the birth of an entire language movement within the journalistic world,” he said.
Senior journalist Murari Sharma reflected on the shifting landscape of journalism, stating,
“While Hindi journalism once played a pivotal role in India’s freedom movement, it is now transitioning into a commercial enterprise. This shift calls for introspection and corrective action.”
Veteran journalist Birbal Sharma proposed that the bicentenary of Udant Martand in 2026 be celebrated on a national scale with full grandeur and participation from across the media fraternity.
Adding a note of caution, Club Secretary Hans Raj Saini raised concerns about the untrained influx of young individuals into digital journalism platforms.
“Many start journalism pages on social media without formal training. It’s crucial to educate them about the ethics, responsibilities, and societal impact of journalism,” he said.
Club Vice President Monika Thakur also extended greetings on the occasion and vowed to organize an even more impactful celebration next year. The event proceedings were smoothly conducted by Treasurer Bhagat Singh Guleria, while Hans Raj Saini also managed the official agenda.
Among those present at the event were senior journalists and notable citizens including D.C. Verma, Deependra Manta, Roop Lal Kaundal, Vinod Rana, Saroj Thakur, Sonia Sharma, Rajneesh Himalayan, Rakesh Sharma, Viplav Saklani, Narendra Sharma, Roop Upadhyay, Ajay Sehgal, Ajay Ragda, Pushparaj, Dharmveer, Vinita, Ashwani Kumar, and Shiv Ram from the District Public Relations Office.
The gathering concluded with a collective resolve to elevate the platform of Hindi journalism and to ensure the 2026 bicentenary of Udant Martand becomes a landmark celebration in Indian media history.
