“Vartalap” workshop was organized for media representatives at Vijayapura to create awareness about centrally sponsored schemes, by the joint collaboration of Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bengaluru, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Kudgi, District Administration of Vijayapura, Zilla Panchayat of Vijayapura, Department of Information and Public Relations, District Working Journalists’ Association (Regd.), Karnataka Working Editors’ Association (Regd.), Karnataka Working Journalists’ Voice (Regd.), Karnataka State Women Editors’ Association (Regd.).

Speaking after inaugurating the workshop, Shri Ramesh C. Jigajinagi, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, expressed happiness that ‘Vartalap’ has been organized to inform the media representatives about the public welfare schemes of the central government. He said that many people are benefiting from various schemes of the central government. Digitalization has enabled the access for eligible persons to benefit from these schemes. The widespread usage of online financial transaction apps by the public is an indication of progress, he added.

The vision of the government is to build a nation where no one suffers from hunger and with this aim, free ration is distributed to over 810 million people under the Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. The Vartalap event organized by PIB for journalists is commendable and everyone should make the most of such programs, the MP urged.

Addressing the event, Shri S.G. Raveendra, Additional Director General, PIB Bengaluru said that the main objective of the ‘Vartalap’ workshop is to create awareness among journalists about the schemes of the central government. He emphasized that the role of the media is very important in implementing the people-centric schemes of both the central and state governments at the district, taluk, and village levels. As part of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, on a single day on September 25th, 5 crore people participated in cleaning 3 lakh public places.

He further highlighted that several campaigns such as Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign, Swasth Nari Shashakt Parivar Abhiyan, Poshan Abhiyan are implemented by the central government. He also brought to the notice that in Vijayapura district the minority population is relatively high and there are many schemes specifically for their welfare. The media has a crucial role in passing on the information about these schemes to the public, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Dr. Anandh K. emphasized that the coordinated efforts of the administration and the fourth pillar of democracy i.e., media, play a vital role in building a better society. Such collaboration ensures the more effective implementation of government schemes. District Superintendent of Police, Shri Laxman Nimbargi, said that the media must uphold social responsibility before broadcasting any news. He emphasized that having a sound understanding of the law can help prevent potential mishaps when reporting sensitive incidents.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Shri Rishi Anand said that priority is being given to cleanliness in rural areas. He emphasized that maintaining a clean and healthy environment is a shared responsibility of every individual. Real change is possible only when people are aware of the importance of cleanliness in society. Shri Santosh Tiwari, the General Manager of NTPC Kudgi, highlighted that NTPC has undertaken various educational and social initiatives under its CSR policy. As part of its CSR efforts, NTPC has provided scholarships, bicycles and educational materials to students, distributed sewing machines to empower women and constructed toilets in rural areas, he added.

Various officials and experts from different departments participated in the workshop and shared valuable insights about the implementation of key schemes and initiatives. Speaking in the event, Shri. Y.C. Poojari, Assistant Commissioner of CGST, Vijayapura Division, provided detailed information on GST 2.0. Dr. Sampath Kumar Gunari, District Health Officer, spoke about the implementation of the ‘Swasth Naari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan’ campaign and other health and family welfare schemes. Shri Shivanagowda S. Patil, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, shared updates on the implementation of various schemes in the agriculture and horticulture sectors. Shri B. Siddaiah, Manager of Canara Bank and Lead District Bank, explained the objectives and progress of the financial inclusion saturation campaign. Smt. Bharati Patil, District Coordinator of the Women Empowerment Unit under the Department of Women and Child Development, discussed the implementation of schemes related to women and child development, as well as the POSHAN (Nutrition) campaign. Dr. Shankargowda Patil, a cardiologist, provided valuable inputs to create awareness about heart diseases and their prevention.

Shri Amaresh Doddamani, Assistant Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Shri Prakash G. Bennur, District President of the Karnataka Working Journalists’ Association, Shri Irfan Sheikh, President of the Karnataka Working Editors’ Association, Shri Gururaj Hoogar, State President of the Journalists’ Voice Association, and Smt. Rashmi Patil, President of the Karnataka State Women Editors’ Association, also graced the occasion.

As part of the program, a health camp was organized by the District Health Department and a nutrition food exhibition was arranged by the Department of Women and Child Development.

 

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