Media failed Indian farmers, poor by suppressing real issues: Sainath

February 21, 2011

Manipal, February 21: Newspapers should reflect the dichotomies in the society. But it is unfortunate that Indian media has been following US corporate media model of having a largest media and least informed public, said development journalist P Sainath.

He was delivering a lecture, as part of Article-19, a communication fest of Manipal Institute of Communication (MIC), here.

“When it comes to mass media V/s mass reality fundamental features of Indian media are being disconnected. Corporatization of media has resulted in structural compulsion to lie,” he said.

“A good writer should be a good reader. The piece of writing should bring perspectives. Journalists are accountable to the society. He has the choice before him to b a journalist or a stenographer. His writings should reflect the shortcomings in the society. We do need writers like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar who had insightful approach towards castes and communal issues,'' Sainath said.

“Over 141 farmers committed suicide in three days and over 800 attempted suicide. Over 6,600 farmers quit agriculture in three days. According to the National Crime Record Bureau 47 farmers commit suicide every day. About 4,000 died of malnutrition. In this scenario government of India writes off 4000 crore of taxes for the richest people in three days. It is unfortunate that media fails to focus on those issues,'' the Magsaysay award-winning writer added.

He said that it has become difficult to differentiate between real estate and fourth estate.

Honorary Director of MIC MV Kamath, Director of MIC Prof Vardesh Hiregange and others were present.

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Saffron wave sweeps Udupi during PM Modi’s roadshow

coastaldigest.com news network

November 28,2025

Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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