Official version: Governor inaugurates South Asia media summit

[Frederick Noronha]

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From: DIRECTOR INFORMATION PUBLICITY <dip...@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/11/20

Government of Goa
Department of Information & Publicity
Panaji – Goa.

NEWS BULLETIN

GOVERNOR INAUGURATES SOUTH ASIA MEDIA SUMMIT

Panaji, November 20, 2009

The Governor Dr. S. S. Sidhu has highlighted the role of media in
strengthening of democracy.  He said in today’s era of information
revolution, the Media represents a healthy and powerful element in the
functioning of democracy.

The Governor was speaking after inaugurating Annual South Asia Media
Summit-2009 on the theme “Media and Democracy in South Asia: Problems
and Prospects” organized by the International Centre, Goa (ICG) in
collaboration with Media Information and Communication Centre of India
(MICCI) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) at the International
Centre, Goa today.

The Governor appreciated the theme of the Conference and a number of
important issues like Poverty Alleviation in a Democratic set up;
Electoral Process in the Region; the Role of Judiciary and the Police
in Democracy; and Engaging Youth in strengthening Democracy etc.
identified for discussions during the three-day Conference.

Speaking  further Dr. Sidhu said, that the stability and sustenance of
democratic system of governance calls for access to information, and
heavily depends on the efficient, accurate and complete transmission
of political, economic, social and cultural information, which makes
the citizens knowledgeable and responsible, and enables them to
participate in governance and make their contribution.  The media is
undoubtedly a vibrant conduit of such information and is expected to
act in a responsible manner, always in public interest.  He said, “In
our avowed objective to further strengthen democratic system, the
Media can play an important role by disseminating information as a way
of promoting a healthy and cordial relationship between the State and
the civil society. It could also play an important role of building
bridges of understanding between nations by promoting goodwill among
the people across the borders and projecting bilateral issues
dispassionately.  In the increasingly liberal ambience across the
world, people are aspiring for correct information.  In fact, it is
the right of the readers to know all the facts about the happenings
around.  Media must respond to the emerging situation.”

The Governor said that the democracy has come to stay as a widely
accepted and acceptable system of governance in the world.  Democracy
recognizes freedom and rights of the citizens who are able to
participate in governance freely and effectively.  India is a classic
example of the success of democracy.  It is the largest democracy in
the world, which has, over the last 60 years, strengthened its
democratic institution.  Democracies has brought enormous
opportunities to people and are striving to allow it to grow into
fullness.  The democratic principles have become actual functioning
realities.  During the last six decades, India has made great progress
in the Political, economic, social and cultural spheres despite
occasional troubles and tribulations.  In all its achievements, the
Media has undoubtedly made a special contribution.  The Media
continues to remain as a strong pillar of support to our democratic
functioning, which has always been duly recognized.

He said that, South Asia has emerged as a powerful region in the
global political and economic sphere.  He reminded to the delegates
that South Asian countries, including India, has over the centuries,
inherited a common heritage of ideals and values – spiritual,
cultural, philosophical, religious and racial-.  The people of these
countries should be proud of this common heritage.  Endowed with vast
human and natural resources and political and cultural wealth, this
region is making significant progress in various fields.  With all
these endowments, South Asia can emerge as an example of peace and
progress for others to follow.  However, the region needs increased
co-operation and integrated strategies in promoting economic
development and peaceful co-existence and also to fight against the
increasing menace  of evil forces like  terrorism, extremism and
violence which have become a serious impediment to the economic
progress of this region.

The Governor said, “Poverty, illiteracy and disease continue to be
serious common problems faced by the countries in South Asia.  India,
too, is no exception.  In spite of significant socio-economic
development during the last 60 years of democratic governance, Country
is yet to eliminate poverty completely from this land.  Poverty is
very often the fundamental cause for frustration and lawlessness.
Some of the countries may be spending more on arms and ammunitions
than on poverty-alleviation programmes.  Unless and until poverty is
removed, or reduced, developmental strategies cannot be fully
successful.  No doubt, there has been considerable progress in
improving the living conditions of the population in the Asian region,
but much remains to be done in this regard.”

In a vast country like India, many religions are practiced, many
languages are spoken, many sartorial and food habits are prevalent in
various parts of the country.  Relations between various communities
constituting the Indian society are delicate issues requiring
sensitive handling under varying circumstances.  In regard to
maintenance of communal harmony, too, media has an important role to
play and also in maintenance of unity and integrity of the nation.
India is known for its long legacy of tolerance and communal harmony,
he added.

He said,”however, each country in our region is having its own
identity and problems, there is a variety in the growth of political,
legal and social institutions. Media’s role in all the countries could
not be expected to be uniform. Consequently, when you debate the
issues set before you during this Conference, your approach to the
same could be different from each other.  Yet, it is a fact that
wisdom is dawning upon the leadership of the countries of South Asia
that their destiny lies in co-existence, cooperation and strengthening
intra-regional ties. South Asia has to learn from the past experience
and think of those ideas and concepts which would usher in prosperity,
well-being and peace for the people of the region.  Our biggest
challenge is on the economic front besides social transformation.
Given the goodwill, we should be able to share our experiences and
resources to build a strong future for all of us.”

He said that it is easier to fight poverty in a democratic set up
because in a free atmosphere the Government of the day would find it
easy to enlist the support of the citizens to accomplish the goal.  So
far as Judiciary is concerned, it has emerged, particularly in this
country, as the conscience-keeper of the people.  Consequently,
democracy derives strength from an independent judiciary, though there
is room for introspection.  In India, the police force is doing a good
work of maintaining internal peace and security though there are at
times, instances of the nexus between the police and anti-social
elements.  There is, of course, room for reforming the police force
and, in fact, the Supreme Court has issued certain guidelines on this
matter.  The youth, who constitute 40% of the country’s population,
are our wealth.  They have to be groomed and trained properly so that
they become effective instruments of the country’s effort to emerge as
an economic superpower. This can hold good for other nations in the
region too.

The Governor also mentioned that like any other part of the globe,
South Asia, too, is faced with ecological and environmental
catastrophes.  Sustainable development of any region calls for
sustainable environmental and ecological standards.  Historically,
civilizations and political systems survived basically because of the
abundance of natural resources.  Perhaps, South-Asian countries are
not taking adequate measures to protect and preserve their precious
natural environment, which has great relevance and importance for
sustained progress.  Let us hope that, South Asians, who have
inherited a rich legacy of spiritual, philosophical and cultural
traditions, will emerge as leaders in this century in protecting their
natural resources and environment, and become a role model for others
to follow, so that their present and future generations can have a
better quality of life with cleaner air, pure water and original
beautiful landscapes.  We expect South-Asian countries, to adopt and
exhibit, a spirit of adventure, spirit of innovation and spirit of
reformation in tune with the changing currents and ethics of the
modern world.  There is need for increased communication, not only
outward communication, but, inward communication, so as to ensure
peace, progress, security and stability for all, based on their past
cultural links, geographical proximity and the great common heritage
that they have inherited, while at the same time retaining their
distinctive identity,” he added.

Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Shri Pratapsingh Rane said,
media constitute backbone of democracy.  Media identifies problems
faced by the society. With increasing number of channels in the
country there is tremendous competition.

Referring to pending cases in courts Shri Rane stressed the need to
find out a method to overcome this problem.  He said Countries in the
region should make minimum education mandatory for elected
representatives.

Shri Rajeshwar Dayal, Senior Advisor, FED also spoke on the occasion.

Nandini Sahai, Director, International Centre, Goa welcomed the
gathering.  Shri Arjun Halarnkar, Programme Manager, ICG gave a
perspective of the Seminar. Shri Collin Curry, Trustee MICCI proposed
the vote of thanks.

The delegates from Nepal Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
besides India are participating in the three days Conference.

DI/NB/MP/SM/JA/LDS/2009/

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