The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Chair and Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Subharti Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, organized a two-day national seminar on the topic “Nationalism and Media” as part of Parakram Week. The event held at Satyajit Ray Auditorium under the direction of Prof. Ritesh Chaudhary. Eminent academicians, senior journalists, former administrators, and students participated enthusiastically.
In the inaugural session, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and former Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ attended as the chief guest. In his address, he stated that the media serves as the fourth pillar of democracy and plays a crucial role in nation-building. He emphasized that society expects the media to disseminate Indian knowledge traditions for the benefit of the nation and to contribute actively to national development.
On the second day, the program began with a welcome address by the University’s Director General, Major General (Dr.) G. K. Thapliyal. He remarked that to understand Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s nationalism, we must remember his spiritual guru, Swami Vivekananda, and grasp Swami Vivekananda’s concept of nationalism.
The chief guest, Prof. (Dr.) K. G. Suresh, Director of India Habitat Centre, observed that the term “nationality” (राष्ट्रीयता) suits better than “nationalism” (राष्ट्रवाद), as “-ism” often carries associations with extremism and can lead toward fanaticism.
Distinguished guest J. K. Tripathi, retired former Ambassador, urged everyone to understand nationalism and adopt it in their lives. He stressed that this becomes possible only when people remain loyal and devoted to the nation.
Another distinguished guest, former Uttarakhand State Minister Sachidanand Sharma ‘Pokhriyal’, explained the essence of nationalism through the dialogue between Lord Ram and Lakshman after the victory over Lanka.
On this occasion, the university released two books:
- “Main Ayodhya Hoon” written by Prof. Ashok Tyagi, and
- “Himalaya ke Aangan mein Uttarkashi” written by Prof. Ritesh Chaudhary.
Dr. Preeti Singh conducted the proceedings.
Among those present were Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Pramod Kumar Sharma, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Prof. Sudhir Tyagi, Prof. Pintu Mishra, Prof. Sanchit Pradhan, Dr. Santosh Gautam, Dr. Ashutosh Verma, Ram Prakash Tiwari, Shaily Sharma, and Tarun Jain.
