PM’s remarks at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Pudhari

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today said that people were looking at media to provide “good news and truthful news.” He said dialogue was necessary for a democracy to thrive. He was speaking at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Marathi newspaper Pudhari at Kolhapur.

The Prime Minister said the credibility that media enjoys today also enjoins upon them an immense responsibility. He praised Pudhari as one newspaper that had fulfiled this responsibility. The Prime Minister said criticism helps prevent mistakes, and helps truth to be brought out properly. He however said, today proper criticism does not happen, adding that allegations had replaced criticism. The Prime Minister said criticism required a thorough study, and had become a casualty of the fast-moving modern times. He said weakness of criticism, and an excess of allegations would weaken democracy. He said the need of the hour was healthy criticism, not allegations.

The Prime Minister appreciated Pudhari Chairman Pratapsinh Jadhav for raising issues of Kolhapur in his speech. He said he had hoped that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would fulfil the expectations. He also expressed hope that Goddess Lakshmi would provide the strength and resources to fulfil all dreams of all Indians.

Newspapers like Pudhari are an example of overcoming obstacles. He said they had persevered and won against all odds during the freedom struggle.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the new premises of Pudhari, at Kolhapur by remote control. He unveiled a statue of the founder of Pudhari – Shri G. G. Jadhav by remote control. He also released two books – Marmabedh, and Sinhayan. The Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Vidyasagar Rao, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu and Chairman of Pudhari Shri Pratapsinh Jadhav were present on the occasion.