Karnatata Journalists’ Union Observes Press Day in Sullia
The function was marked by talks on the role of journalism, delivered by prominent persons from different fields, and also honouring of three distinguished individuals who have long served the field of journalism in various ways.
Sullia tahsildar Anantashankar inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Speaking on the occasion, he commended the work done by the journos of Sullia in reaching out to the nooks and corners and gathering authentic news.
Speaking further, he urged the media to critically analyze the performance of the ruling class and not to appease it. Any such act of appeasement could only result in the media’s failure to defend democracy.
Richard Lasrado, a senior journalist based in Mangaluru, Sankappa Salian Alekkadi, a veteran in rural reporting and Terappa Maniyani, a long-serving newspaper distributor in Bellare, were honoured by the dignitaries.
Acknowledging the honour, Lasrado said that he felt proud to have been born into a Konkani-speaking family and grew up among the Tuluvas in the lap of the Western Ghats surrounded by greenery, studied up to SSLC in Kannada medium and found a place of recognition in English web journalism.
The other two recipients of honour too expressed their gratitude. Harish Bantwal, district president of KJU, DK chapter, delivered the felicitation speeches. He presented detailed profiles of the three achievers and expressed the opinion that all of them had stayed away from the limelight and remained unknown to much of the public. It was for this reason that the KJU decided to honour them and let the society know about their contribution to journalism in particular and the society in general.
KJU taluk president Sharif Jattipalla presided over the function. Taluk panchayat CEO Bhavani Shankar, circle police inspector Naveenchandra Jogi, and Sullia Press Club president J K Rai were the chief guests on the occasion. They also joined the dignitaries in honouring the achievers and shared their views.
Cash prizes were handed to Charishma Kadapala, Sandesh Kodialbail, and Aishat Jumana, who were the winners in the competitions held to mark the Press Day.
KJU’s taluk unit’s president-designate Yashwit Kalammane welcomed the gathering. Treasurer Umesh Manikkara thanked everyone who helped in making the function a big success. As precautionary measures against Covid19 spread, every effort was made to maintain social distance, besides thermal scan of guests and provision of sanitizer on hands.
