Chouhan welcomes healthy criticism by media

Bhopal, Jun 21 (UNI) Appreciating healthy criticism by the media, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said in a democratic set up, the press helped the government to know about its weaknesses and rectify them in order to serve society better.

Inaugurating the two-day silver jubilee celebrations of the city's Madhav Rao Sapre Memorial Newspaper Museum and Research Centre, the Chief Minister said mistakes do take place in manifold activities of the government, but it could mend its ways if the mistakes were brought to notice in time and scarce resources could be utilised properly for development.

Mr Chouhan was also critical about the media's present trend to focus moe on crimes and superstitious things instead of highlighting the good works of many social organisations and also of political parties.

He lamented that the media was reluctant to project many developmental works done by the government. ''There is a common notion that politicians are bad but good people do exist in politics also and media should highlight them'', Mr Chouhan opined.

Mr Chouhan also cautioned the politicians to be honest in their work. 'If politicians become directionless then it will harm the society'.

The Chief Minister also lauded the Museum management for doing a commendale job to improve the standard of journalism and assured all government help to the unique institution.

Public Relations Minister Laxmi Kant Sharma said over the years the museum had emerged as a centre of pilgrimage for journalists from across the country.

Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president Suresh Pachouri expressed the optimism that the institution would become number one museum on journalism.

Former Chief Ministers Sunderlal Patwa and Babulal Gaur Patwa also spoke on the occasion. Union Minister for Human Resources and Development Arjun Singh, who was scheduled to attend as chief guest, did not turn up.

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