“At a time when discussions about arms and ammunitions were underway in the wake of war, one should remember that a pen in the hand of a journalist is the most effective weapon to initiate either development or destruction,” former member of Parliament and industrialist Vijay Sankeshwar has said.

He was speaking at the annual ‘Media Day and Award Ceremony’ of Dharwad District Union of Working Journalists (DDUWJ) at Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry auditorium in Hubballi on July 26.

Mr. Vijay Sankeshwar said that journalists had the responsibility of shaping the future of the country, and they should throw light on building a prosperous ‘Bharat’, and the life of future generations.

Pointing out that the number of readers of newspapers had come down due to the advent of digital media and television channels, Mr. Sankeshwar suggested conducting studies on readers’ interests and catering to the same, and also through new experiments.

Former Director of KLE Society Shankranna Munavalli announced that health cards would be issued to journalists and their families for treatment at KLE Society’s JGM Medical College and Hospital in Hubballi.

Lifetime achievement award

Senior journalist and writer Ganesh Joshi was honoured with lifetime achievement award.

Along with him, 13 other journalists were honoured with awards for their articles in various categories. They were Sangamesh Menasinakai, Shaheen Mokashi, Nagaraj Kunkdur, Veena Kumar, Malatesh Hoolihalli, Ambarish Hanagal, C.Y. Lagammannavar, Shivaraya Pujari, Azeez Ahmed Balaganur, Manjunath Angadi, Girish Mukkal, Saddam Mulla, and Venkatesh Lalage.

Presiding over the function, DDUWJ President Bandu Kulkarni briefed the audience about the various initiatives taken by the journalists’ union.  KUWJ Secretary Pundalik Baloji, member of Karnataka Media Academy J. Abbas Mulla, State executive committee members Ganapati Gangolli and Basavaraj Kattimani, and DDUWJ General Secretary Gurunath Bandage were among those present.