Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Saturday said that the media is the watchful watchdog of society, the fourth pillar of democracy and the mirror of society.
He said that social service activities like blood donation by journalists will show a new direction to society, and this initiative is a reflection of their sense of responsibility towards society.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said this while inaugurating the mega blood donation and health check-up camp for senior citizens, organized by the Assembly of Journalists at Tulsibati Higher Secondary Girls' School in Agartala on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that there can be no other noble act like blood donation.
“This idea of people for people is also reflected through blood donation. Great programmes like blood donation should be continued so that no patient faces problems due to a lack of blood. The more people are made aware about blood donation, the more people will come forward to donate blood voluntarily,” said Dr Saha.
He said that the current government is a news-friendly and journalist-friendly government.
“The current government has increased the family pension of journalists to Rs 10,000. Earlier, a pension of Rs 1,000 was given. To ensure medical treatment for journalists, they will be included in the Chief Minister's Jan Arogya Yojana. Workshops are being organized for the professional excellence of journalists. The state government is also constantly trying to solve various problems of the media,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that, in keeping with modernity, journalists should also stay up to date in their work.
“They should increase their excellence in their work. In the process of presenting news, welfare works for the people should be highlighted in front of everyone,” said Dr. Saha.
The Chief Minister congratulated the Assembly of Journalists for organizing the blood donation and medical camps.
Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumdar, Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of the Department, Sanit Debray, Secretary of the Assembly of Journalists, senior journalist Dibakar Debnath and others were present.