Media Social Responsibility Workshop Held at Parmarth

A National Symposium of Media’s Role in making the Ganga clean was organized by the Indian Federation of Working Journalists at Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh). The three-day workshop was inaugurated by Pujya Swamiji, Shri Vijay Bahugunaji, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Harak Singh Rawatji, Hon’ble State Minister of Agriculture, and Shri K Vikram Raoji, President  & Founder of IFWJ, along with several other respected dignitaries and ministers.

Nearly 1000 journalists from over 25 different states of India came together today to discuss the vital role of media in raising awareness on issues related to pollution, over-extraction and over-exploitation of our sacred rivers, in the coming days. Hon’ble Chief Minister said that the state has been shaken but stands strong after the recent tragedy and will work towards rebuilding, reconstructing and rehabilitating itself in an eco-friendly way. He claimed that the beautiful Gangaji that we see on the banks of Mother Ganga should be available to all communities residing on her banks from Gangotri to Ganga Sagar.

Pujya Swamiji urged journalists to carry the divine experience of Mother Ganga and the Himalayas with them and to bring about the clean, green and serene revolution wherever they go. He shared that two years ago a green declaration was made in Russia, last year a similar convention for rivers was held in Rio and this year it starts with them in Rishikesh.

According to Shri K. Vikram Raoji, upon visiting Pujya Swamiji a few months ago, he became so inspired and touched by His movement that he spontaneously decided to pledge support for it and to gather the entire federation of media community for brainstorming ways in which they can be instrumental in the preservation and protection of our sacred rivers.

On the last day of the workshop, the 1000 journalists from across India and nations abroad pledged their commitment to work towards ensuring a clean and free-flowing Ganga River in history’s first Media Social Responsibility Declaration.

The Declaration urges specific and immediate actions from the Central and State Governments to preserve the sanctity and cleanliness of the River Ganga and its tributaries. The journalists acknowledged the crucial responsibility that the media bears in the national and international pursuit of keeping vital water sources, especially life-giving rivers, free-flowing and unpolluted.

The historic Declaration was presented by Pujya Swamiji to Shri B.L. Joshiji, the Hon’ble Governor of Uttar Pradesh and to Shri Harish Rawatji, the Respected Minister for Water Resources, Government of India. The gathered journalists, alongside Respected Union Minister for Water Resources, Shri Harish Rawatji, Uttar Pradesh Governor, HE Shri B.L. Joshiji, HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and other respected saints and dignitaries, spontaneously took to their feet and raised their hands in a dramatic pledge of support for the historic Declaration.

Later in the evening, the media fraternity signed the written declaration to be presented to the Hon’ble Prime Minster of India.

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