THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
SALIPUR, AUGUST 5, 2026
"Accurate information is the foundation of trust between
the Government and the people," said Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional
Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of
Communication (CBC), Bhubaneswar, while chairing the Regional Media Workshop
'Vartalap' organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar, at
Salipur in Cuttack district on Wednesday.
Stressing the crucial role of the media in promoting
transparent governance and effective communication, he said responsible
journalism is indispensable for ensuring that authentic information about
government welfare schemes reaches every citizen, particularly at the
grassroots level.
The Regional Media Workshop was organised with the objective
of strengthening collaboration between the Government and the media while
creating greater awareness about the Central Government's flagship welfare
schemes. The programme brought together media professionals, government
officials and subject experts, providing a platform for meaningful interaction
on the importance of responsible journalism in disseminating authentic information
and promoting citizen-centric governance.
In his keynote address, Akhil Kumar Mishra observed that in
the present information age, effective communication serves as the strongest
link between the Government and the people. He emphasised that journalists are
not merely conveyors of information but also facilitators of constructive
dialogue between society and the Government. Highlighting the need for clarity,
sensitivity and active public engagement in communication, he said that
constructive support from the media is essential for taking welfare schemes to
the grassroots and ensuring that citizens benefit from government initiatives.
He added that programmes like Vartalap provide an effective platform for
dialogue between the Government and the media while facilitating wider
dissemination of development-oriented information among the public.
Highlighting the achievements of the health sector, Dr.
Umakanta Sahu, Chief District Medical Officer, spoke about the transformative
impact of the Ayushman Bharat Mission in strengthening primary healthcare
across the country. He said Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are providing quality
healthcare services at the doorstep of people through regular health screening,
early detection and management of non-communicable diseases, and telemedicine
facilities through the e-Sanjeevani platform. These initiatives, he noted, have
made healthcare services more accessible, affordable and inclusive for
citizens.
Speaking on agricultural development, Suryakanta Sethi, Block
Agriculture Officer, Salipur, highlighted various farmer-centric initiatives of
the Central Government aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and
increasing farmers' income. He elaborated on flagship schemes such as PM-KISAN,
Farmer Registry, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Soil Health
Card Scheme, stating that these initiatives provide financial assistance,
technical guidance and encourage sustainable farming practices. He also
stressed the importance of regular awareness and training programmes on natural
farming, balanced fertiliser use and scientific soil health management.
Dr. Abhishek Mishra, Deputy Director, Doordarshan Kendra,
Bhubaneswar, highlighted the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's
flagship initiative, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
He said that under the vision of "Create in India, Create for the
World," the initiative offers a global platform for India's creative
talent by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and market opportunities. He
urged media professionals to create wider awareness about WAVES and encourage
talented youth from Odisha to actively participate in the initiative.
Jyotirmayee Behera, Additional Block Development Officer,
Salipur, described the media as an effective bridge between the Government and
the people. She emphasised the importance of taking government welfare schemes
to the grassroots while ensuring that citizens' concerns reach the
administration. She said responsible, impartial and constructive journalism
would play a vital role in strengthening good governance and achieving the
vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Senior journalist Akshaya Kumar Das, eminent writer Dr. Purna
Ojha, eminent writer and educationist Prof. Sadashiva Das, and professor and
eminent writer Dr. Tapan Ranjan Mohanty also addressed the gathering. They
highlighted the indispensable role of the media in strengthening democracy and
underlined the importance of responsible, impartial and fact-based journalism.
They observed that the media acts as a crucial bridge between the Government
and the people by promoting transparency, accountability and democratic values.
Earlier, Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director, Central
Bureau of Communication (CBC), Bhubaneswar, and Nodal Officer for Vartalap,
welcomed the participants and outlined the objectives of the workshop. Mahendra
Prasad Jena, Assistant Director, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar,
proposed the vote of thanks.
An interactive session formed a key highlight of
the workshop, during which participating journalists shared their views and
raised queries regarding the dissemination of government welfare schemes,
information-sharing mechanisms and various issues concerning the media. The
resource persons responded to the questions in detail, making the programme a
meaningful platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and stronger cooperation
between the Government and the media.
