Print media popularity on rise:Naveen

Bhubaneswar, Oct 18 (UNI) Despite the advent of the electronic media in round the clock news coverage, the popularity of the print media is still rising in the country, according to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Addressing the 10th Anniversary of language daily 'Samaya', here today, Mr Patnaik said the presence of the electronic media has not checked the popularity of the print media.

He said Samaya has carved a special identity for itself during its ten years journey and lauded the role of the paper for taking up social responsibility.

Orissa Minister of State for Information and Public Relation Debashis Nayak said his government has constituted the Welfare Committee and Pension Committee for the benefit of journalists in the state.

He said the government would make all efforts to approach various organisations to contribute to the Journalist Welfare Fund.

Samaya Managing Editor Ranjib Biswal said the language daily was the first in the state to come out with colour printing. The newspaper, he said, had contributed a lot for the development of the state.

The Chief Minister felicitated four leading personalities with various awards on the occasion. Dr Prafulla Chandra Mohanty was awarded with Upendra Bhanja Samman and Sarat Narayan Behera with Gopinath Mohanty Samman. The Mayadhar Mansingh Samman was conferred on Bhupen Mohapatra and the Raj Kishire Ray Samman on Purishattam Biswal.

Samaya Editor Satkodi Hota presided over the function.

UNI DP KK RN1640