State Executive Meeting of OUJ Held at Bhawanipatna

• Journalists are preserving society – Bhakta Das

• Odisha Journalists Union will continue its fight for journalists’ rights – Prasanna Mohanty

Kalahandi, YNN (Lingaraj Mishra): On Sunday, the state executive meeting of the Odisha Union of Journalists (OUJ) and the 20th annual celebration of the Kalahandi District Union if Journalists (KDUJ) were held with great enthusiasm at Bhawanipatna Town Hall. The event was conducted in two phases: the first phase comprised the state executive meeting, while the second marked the 20th anniversary celebration.

During the state executive meeting, key demands were raised, including increasing journalists’ insurance coverage to ₹10,00,000, implementing a pension scheme for journalists, forming an accreditation committee, and ensuring the safety of journalists. A march was organised to press these demands to the government. The 20th annual celebration followed in the second phase.

The annual event was chaired by OUJ’s state general secretary, Kambupani Mishra. The chief guest was former Union Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee President Bhakta Charan Das. Special guest Prasanna Mohanty, OUJ state president, and chief speaker Manaranjan Joshi, bureau chief of OTV Western Odisha, were joined by distinguished guests, including Kalahandi Zilla Parishad Chairman Puspendra Singhdeo, Golamunda Block Chairman Bindu Mahanand, OUJ state vice-president Rajesh Pattnaik, vice-president Rajib Mohanty, and KDUJ working president Biranchi Narayan Jal, among others, who graced the stage.

State president Prasanna Mohanty, in his speech, affirmed that regardless of which government is in power, the OUJ will continue its struggle for journalists’ rights and entitlements. He highlighted that for 53 years, the state government has neglected the Journalists Union. In contrast, states like Bihar have fulfilled journalists’ rights comprehensively. Mohanty noted that demands for pensions, protection, and accreditation have been raised for years, but patience is wearing thin. He announced plans for statewide protests in every district to secure these rights, delivering a fiery speech.

Chief speaker Joshi spoke on the essence of true journalism, while chief guest Bhakta Charan Das stated that journalists are vital in sustaining society and also addressed women’s safety in his remarks.

Guests were honoured with mementos by the union. State secretary Kambupani Mishra delivered the welcome address, and district secretary Santosh Singhdeo presented the annual report. During the event, the annual magazine ‘Karunda’, reflecting Kalahandi’s culture and journalists’ pride, was unveiled by the guests. The programme was anchored by journalist Hemanta Sahu.

For their outstanding contributions to journalism, several journalists were felicitated with certificates and gifts, including ‘Sambad’ DC Debendra Bisi, ‘Sakala’ DC Swadhin Patra, OTV correspondent Ingit Panda, ‘Nandighosha TV’ DC Bikash Sarangi,

‘Kanak TV’ Jayapatna correspondent Samiksha Praharaj, ‘Prmeya’ Rupra Road correspondent Purnachandra Mohanty, Paresh Nayak, Manmohan Pradhan, Kishor Naik, Ashutosh Rout, Sanat Kumar Pradhani, Khageswar Dhangadamajhi, Subham Rohila, and Bhadranchal Naik, among others.

Special recognition was given to journalist from Jajpur, Abhay Pati and OUJ vice-president Rajib Mohanty for being selected as members of the State Bar Council, along with Bikramaditya Singh Deo. New union members were welcomed with bouquets. Following a lunch break, another state executive meeting was held. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by district working president Biranchi Narayan Jal.