Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi. Speaking at the event, the PM recalled the contributions of those who have previously worked in the Mathrubhumi media house.
“Several leading lights such as Shri K. P. Kesava Menon, K. A. Damodar Menon, Kerala Gandhi Shri K. Kelappan and Kuroor Neelakandan Namboodiripad, have been associated with Mathrubhumi. I would like to remember M.P. Veerendra Kumar, who oversaw the rapid growth of Mathrubhumi. We will never forget his efforts to uphold India’s democratic ethos during the Emergency. He was a great orator, scholar and was passionate about the environment,” he said.
The PM said that Mathrubhumi is a key part of the glorious tradition of newspapers and journals founded all across India to unify the people of our nation against colonial rule.
“If we look back at our history, several greats have been associated with some of the other paper. Lokmanya Tilak nurtured Kesari and Mahratta. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was associated with Hitavada. Prabuddha Bharat was associated with Swami Vivekananda. When we remember Mahatma Gandhi, we also remember his works in Young India, Navjivan, and Harijan. Shyamji Krishna Varma edited The Indian Sociologist. I have just given a few examples. The list is endless,” the PM said.
Modi said that media plays a critical role in enabling the policies to succeed and to ensure that large-scale transformation takes place.
He further added, “In these years gone by, I have seen the positive impact the media can play. The example of the Swachh Bharat Mission is well known. Every media house took up this mission with great sincerity. Like-wise, the media has played a very encouraging role in popularising Yoga, fitness, and BetiBachaoBetiPadhao. These are subjects beyond the domain of politics and political parties.”
“Years ago, when Mahatma Gandhi visited Mathrubhumi he had said and I quote: Mathrubhumi is an institution that has stood firmly on its own feet. Only can a few newspapers in India do this. Hence amongst the newspapers of India, the Mathrubhumi has a unique position. Unquote. I am confident Mathrubhumi will live up to these words of Bapu. I once again congratulate Mathrubhumi for their centenary celebrations and convey my best wishes to the readers,” Modi concluded.
