Two-Day UP Working Journalists’ Union Provincial Conference Concludes
Media Praised for Role in Ram Temple, Attracting Devotees from Across the World – Champat Rai
Minister Dinesh Pratap Expresses Views via Telephone
Ayodhya, : Uttar Pradesh Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and State Minister for Medical & Health, Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh, assured that the government is committed to addressing journalists’ issues. He stated that he would personally discuss matters such as pensions, Ayushman Cards, and other concerns, submitted as memorandums, with the Chief Minister to ensure their resolution. He further added that any issues related to the issuance of Ayushman Cards to journalists in various districts would be resolved promptly.
Speaking as the chief guest at the UP Working Journalists’ Union State-Level Conference held at the Janaki Mahal Trust auditorium in Ayodhya, Singh highlighted that Uttar Pradesh, being the most populous state in the country, faces challenges proportional to its size. He emphasized that the Yogi Adityanath government has implemented significant reforms in the healthcare sector, providing comprehensive medical facilities, including treatment for serious illnesses and operations. Singh stated that 81 districts now have operational medical colleges and reiterated that issues faced by journalists in obtaining Ayushman Cards would be resolved quickly. He instructed the Chief Medical Officer to immediately address the problem of unissued Ayushman Cards for recognized journalists in Ayodhya.
State Minister with independent charge, Dinesh Pratap Singh, could not attend the conference in person due to election responsibilities in Jamui, Bihar. However, he addressed the union via telephone, expressing his long-standing support for journalists. He praised the media as the fourth pillar of democracy, noting its crucial role from India’s independence to the present in highlighting social issues and bridging the gap between the government and the people. Singh affirmed that his doors remain open to media personnel and pledged to attend similar conferences in the future.
Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Secretary Champat Rai lauded the media for its positive role in the historic Ram Mandir movement. He stated that the media extensively covered the long struggle of the activists, helping transform the movement into a mass movement. Rai credited the media for spreading awareness of different stages of the temple construction, which has now attracted millions of devotees from across India and abroad. He also provided details of the upcoming Dharm Dhwaj installation ceremony on 25 November, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend as the chief guest.
MLC Pawan Singh Chauhan, addressing the conference, expressed his gratitude to journalists and emphasized building a strong relationship with them to understand public issues better. He also announced support for any future national conferences of journalists in the sacred site of Naimisharanya.
Union State President Haseeb Siddiqui highlighted the union’s eight-point demands, including journalist pensions, healthcare facilities, Ayushman Cards, and financial assistance for dependents of journalists who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic. State General Secretary Devaraj Singh and Lakhna Mandal President Shivsharan Singh warmly welcomed all dignitaries and union members who attended the conference from across the state.
The conference was attended by prominent leaders and journalists, including Abhay Singh, MLA from Gosainganj; former MP Nirmal Khatri; IFJW National Secretary Vishwadev Rao; National Treasurer Rajat Mishra; UPWJ State Vice Presidents Harikrishna Arora, Suman Gupta, Vijay Tripathi, Avinash Shukla, Anil Tripathi, Pawan Pandey, Mukul Mishra, Mahima Tiwari, Neelam Singh, Gangesh Mishra, Ugrasen Mishra; and Surendra Srivastava, President of the Ayodhya Press Club, among others.
