NEW DELHI, Oct 25:
Reaching out to the media with which he has had a lukewarm relationship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had some good words for the press today, promising to find a way to interact with it directly.
The occasion was provided by a ‘Diwali milan’ (get-together) organised by the BJP at its headquarters here at which some 400 journalists, including top editors, were present.
Modi, who used to stay at the party headquarters as a party office-bearer before becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat, said in a brief speech laced with characteristic humour, “I used to arrange chairs here waiting for you.
“Those were different days when we used to interact freely. I had a beautiful relationship with you and it helped me in Gujarat.”
Fondly recalling that relationship, the Prime Minister, who has not formally met the media since he took over in May, said he was looking for ways to further deepen and expand it.
“Some way will be found. It is important to interact with media directly rather than the reportage and articles.
“By interacting directly, one gets to know things which media persons cannot report. Not only does one get information but also vision, which is very valuable,” he said.
The entire top brass of the Government and BJP was present at the get-together. This included the party President Amit Shah, senior Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Prakash Javdekar.
Referring to the ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India) campaign launched by him, Modi was appreciative of media’s role in spreading awareness about it, saying it has helped remove the perception that Government is responsible for everything.
He said he was happy to see several articles, TV features and social media write-ups on the subject, giving the mission a wide publicity.
“Media has converted its pen into broom… This is a service to the nation,” he said addubg he felt indebted by this.
The Prime Minister said although 80 percent of the media coverage is criticism of Governments, this (filth) is an issue which affects the country’s image and impacts the poorest most.
“More important than health care is preventive health care and cleanliness plays a crucial role in this,” he said, adding that it is a national duty to raise awareness about the issue.
Noting that all including influential people are getting involved in the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign, he said the notion that Government has to do everything has changed.
“For the last 60 years, the thinking was that Government has to do everything. Now the thinking is that we all have to work together. This demonstrates how big a role media can play,” Modi said.
Media has inspired people to take part in cleanliness exercise, he said.
Earlier, Shah said the central Government is doing a good job after people have reposed faith in Modi’s leadership. He hoped that it will rise to the expectations of the people.
Modi later mingled with journalists many of whom jostled to get clicked with him. Several young journalists clicked selfies with the Prime Minister who happily obliged them. (PTI)
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