Paths of journalists & Govt may be different, but the goal is same

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday saluted the dutifulness, courage and social contribution of journalists and provided an assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of 53 journalists who died due to corona infection.
On the occasion of Good Governance Day, in a soulful program organized at the Chief Minister’s residence, CM Yogi also announced reiterated his resolve to provide all necessary help to the families of the deceased journalists during the Covid period and said that the manner in which the journalists made the society aware and revealed the shortcomings of the system with a positive spirit, even in the midst of the adverse circumstances of the Corona period, is commendable.
Yogi provided a total assistance of Rs 5.30 crore to the families of 53 journalists who died during the pandemic. Earlier, in July last year, the families of 50 journalists were provided assistance of Rs 10 lakh each.
CM Yogi remarked: “As many as 103 journalists in the state died untimely due to Corona infection. It is an emotional moment. The state government stands with every family in this hour of grief. Today every family is being given assistance of Rs 10 lakh as support. Apart from this, pension will be provided to destitute women as per rules whereas aid will also be provided too destitute. Children under Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana and PM Care Yojana.” He said that the Information department would ensure that the families of the journalists get the benefit of these schemes.
Addressing the families of the journalists, the Chief Minister said that even if the paths of both the journalists and the government are different, the goal is the same. “Both work with the aim of national and public welfare. Even in the midst of minimum resources and adverse circumstances, their work continues. The government wants to provide residential facilities to all journalists. A model is being worked on in Gorakhpur. If it is successful, then very soon a residential scheme will be brought for the journalists of all the cities and metros of the state”, CM Yogi remarked. He also directed the formation of a committee of editors to decide the policy and eligibility etc. in this regard.
Referring to the challenges of the Corona period, the Chief Minister said that for the last three years the whole world has been facing the biggest tragedy of this century. All the developed countries were badly hit. However, the discipline with which India faced Corona as a team under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was praised globally. Even the United Nations and the World Health Organization appreciated India’s Covid management, Yogi said.
The CM pointed out that India’s media is free, but during the crisis, the media world also followed the national discipline. Yogi said that while making the general public aware, the media also drew government’s’ attention towards the deficiencies, as a result of which better management could be done on time. The Chief Minister said that once again there is an alarm over the novel coronavirus, but with teamwork and discipline, “we will win this battle again.”
Earlier, in the opening address, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar while paying his tributes to the late journalists said that during the Corona period the media persons discharged their responsibilities risking their lives. Today, on the birth anniversary of journalist-editor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the state government is providing funds to help his family members. The event was attended by several senior journalists including among others Ashutosh Shukla, State Editor of Dainik Jagran, Vijay Tripathi, Editor of Amar Ujala, Nadeem, Hindustan Times Editor Sunita Airan, Times of India State Editor as well as Praveen Kumar, Indian Express, and Bhupendra Pandey. (UNI)