'Make a habit of good news, not fake news...' CM Dr. Yadav inaugurates Abhyudaya-2026, explains the role of a journalist

Bhopal. “Today’s journalist should develop a habit of good news instead of fake news. This is my humble request. Bring sensation, but bring truth as well, and gather the courage too. You may be against the people in power, you may be against the government, and there is nothing wrong with that. But keep the national interest in mind.” Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said this on August 18 at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. CM Dr. Yadav was addressing the three-day inaugural event ‘Abhyudaya 2026’. He inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. He paid floral tribute to Maa Saraswati, Bharat Mata and Dada Makhanlal Chaturvedi. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav released the university’s publications “Do Sadi Sakshi”, “Main News Room”, and the journal “Indian Kaleidoscope”, focused on India’s Temple Economy. He also visited the exhibition “100 Years, 100 Headlines” organized by the university. Renowned writer-artist Piyush Mishra was also present on the occasion. Mishra said that Bhopal is wonderful. It is the safest city. I used to come to Bhopal many years ago. Bharat Bhavan remains etched in my memories. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav honored talented university students Paridhi Pujari, Tamanna Laskar and Shivika Gupta for their achievements and presented them with accolades.

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that it has been 36 years since the establishment of Makhanlal University. But even today, no student here has a “36 ka aankda” (bad blood) with another. Everyone shares a relationship of affection here. The university has a good reputation as well as influence. Today, there are social media, print media and electronic media. The sense of media has existed for thousands of years. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav connected media with the era of Lord Ram. He said that Lord Ram had two sons who were raised in Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram. But at that time, there was no media, so how could the children be introduced to their father? This was a major challenge. At that time, Maharishi Valmiki thought of narrating the Ramayana to the children. After teaching them the Ramayana in a musical form and having them memorize it, they were sent to Ayodhya. The children then conveyed their message to Ayodhya through the people. This too must have been a medium of journalism. He said that similarly, during the era of Lord Shri Krishna, prophecies may also have been a medium of journalism. Journalism is associated with Narad Dev. At that time, Narad might have been asked why he had played a role in getting Lord Krishna’s brothers killed. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that, according to him, Narad might have said that God does not take birth so easily. If Kansa had killed only one child, it was possible that his cruelty would have remained suppressed. Therefore, a narrative was created to bring out Kansa’s character. Thereafter, seeing Kansa’s increasing atrocities, the people themselves must have prayed to God to incarnate, and Shri Krishna took birth.

Veer Savarkar explained the role of a journalist

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Veer Savarkar had explained the role of a journalist even before independence. While studying in London, he carried out significant work. He thought that the correct perspective of the 1857 struggle for independence should be presented before everyone. He went to one of the most powerful areas of London and highlighted this issue. He said that it could only be the courage of a journalist to publish and state such a thing in such an influential area—that the 1857 war was a struggle for independence and not a rebellion. Veer Savarkar was sentenced to Kala Pani twice. Veer Savarkar possessed remarkable inner strength. He said that Veer Savarkar made efforts to make Hindi the national language.

Newspapers raised the spirit of resistance during the Emergency

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that during the Emergency, newspapers kept their front pages blank and ignited the spirit of resistance. They opposed the Emergency. Because of this struggle, India, the world’s largest democracy, stands before the world today. He said that writer-artist Piyush Mishra’s “Aarambh Hai Prachand...” makes us proud. It is a matter of good fortune for Madhya Pradesh that before independence, Ujjain’s poet Pradeep brought glory to the state. He was the only poet to be sentenced by the British. Our journalists and writers did not lose courage at that time. He said that this is the path that democracy also requires.

Government committed to development

After the programme, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav told the media, “I welcome all the journalists, litterateurs and artists who have come to the Abhyudaya programme organized at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication. Makhanlal Chaturvedi University is a prestigious institution not only in the country but across the world. Our government is committed to its development.”