Chandy for observing Sep 26 as Journalists Day

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 26 (UNI) Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly and Senior Congress Leader Oommen Chandy today suggested the government take steps to observe September 26 as 'Journalists Day.' It was on this day, Swadeshabhimani Ramakrisha Pillai, who wrote against the rule of the Dewan of the erstwhile Travancore Kingdom, was exiled.

Inaugurating the 98th anniversary of Pillai's exile from the Travancore Princely State by the then Dewan, Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer, he said his writings, without being influenced by power and money, should be an inspiration for the new generation.

Mr Chandy said the government and organisations should take efforts to learn from the ideologies of Pillai, who sacrificed his life for protection of democracy and independent thought, for the benefit of the new generation.

Mr Chandy, who was also the president of the Swadeshabhimani Smaraka Samithi, said it was decided to celebrate the centenary of Pillai's exile with year-long programmes, including seminars and honouring eminent journalists.

Later, he distributed 'Swadeshabhimani' Awards for Journalists to P Anilkumr (Mathrubhooomi) and Photography Awards to Mr Sunoj N Matahew (Mangalam) and Billian Charls (Deepika).

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