By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI: Journalists should not only discuss politics and criminal incidents but should also reflect the scope of a society. In this regard, journalists from Odisha as well as national level should know the depth, breadth and intellectual thinking capacity of Odia society and inform all these things at the state, national and international levels, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while attending the ‘Indian Journalism Awards – 2025’ and ‘Odisha Journalism Awards – 2025’ organized by ‘Palli Bani Mission’ in New Delhi on Saturday.
Shri Pradhan awarded 6 selected journalists and congratulated the journalists who were honored with journalism awards at the national and state levels. On this occasion, he said, Odia language is a science. Odia language has been recognized as a classical language. On April 1, 1936, our state was established as the first linguistic state in Odisha.
This was possible due to the excellence, depth of our Odia language and the curiosity, anxiety and movement of great personalities. And after 11 years, in 2036, Odisha will complete 100 years of its formation as an independent state. Then the society needs an identity. The biggest identity of Odia society is Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath and no one has any doubt about this. Then, in the contemporary society, we need to know and tell how deep, intellectual thinking capacity and broad our Odia society is. Now is the time when it is our responsibility to bring the prosperity, cultural heritage and image of Odisha to the national discourse in the national capital, Delhi.
The Union Minister further said that instead of always discussing politics and law and order, crime news and other matters, there should be discussions on matters related to the depth, heritage, food culture and traditions of a society. Giving an example of this, shedding light on the glorious history of Odisha, the Union Minister said that Odisha is a prosperous, intellectual and powerful state. Emperor Kharavel was the architect of modern Odisha. Earlier, the Kalinga War organized in Odisha between Emperor Ashoka and the Odisha gives a great message. It was the collective unity and willpower of Odisha in the Kalinga War that transformed Ashoka from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka. The path of Buddhism emerged through Odisha, which reflects the glorious history of Odisha. Shri Pradhan advised all Odia people to ask questions about Odisha through Chatzipati and develop the brand of Odisha.
Shri Pradhan appreciated the efforts of Pallibani Mission and the work of the award-winning journalists for this journalism award. He said that the award-winning journalists have made a special mark in their respective fields. They are giving priority to impartial journalism and are making observations on the state and the country. The Union Minister advised the journalists to present the voice of the people in their work in the state and the country.
It is noteworthy that at this award ceremony, Shri Sanjiv Paliwal, Editor of ‘Aaj Tak’, Shri Pratap Somvanshi, Editor of ‘Lallintop’, Shri Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor of ‘Lalintop’ were honored with the Indian Journalism Award-2025. Similarly, Shri Sanjavish K. Sarangi, Editor of Odisha ‘Argus’ Digital, Shri Satyasunder Barik, Special Correspondent of ‘The’ Hindu, Shri Ratnakar Bhoi, Sambalpur District Correspondent of Dainik Bhasam were honored with the “Odisha Journalism Award-2025”. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, New Indian Express Group Editor Smt. Kondi Bhattacharya and Chairman of Pallibani Mission Shri Ramachandra Nath were prominently present at the ceremony. A special magazine of Pallibani Mission was also launched by the guests.
