New Delhi, January 14: In a tribute to India’s freedom fighters and martyrs Ashfakullah Khan and Ram Prasad Bismil, the Watan Samachar Forum organised an event titled ‘The Role of Media in Ensuring Social Harmony’ at the esteemed Press Club of India in New Delhi on Sunday. The event, graced by notable figures in the social and literary spheres of the media industry, aimed to reflect on the responsibility of media in fostering societal cohesion.
The conference also recognized outstanding contributions from individuals across various fields. Journalists , legal professionals and  social activists including Professor Farhat Basir, Mirza Anwar-ul-Haq Baig,  Dr. Zubaidurrahman Babban Miyan, Jamal Ahmad Aligh, Firoz Gazi, Raees Ahmad Idrisi, Neha Garg, Muhammad Akbar, Advocate Anwar Husain Saifi,  Jyoti Yadav, Dr. Sayyid Asdar Ali, Shahid Ansari,  Muhammad Ali, Bhawna Yadav, Raees Siddiqui , and Supreme Court Advocate Aslam Sulemani were honored with the “Watan Ke Ratan Puraskar: 2024” awards, underscoring the importance of individual action in driving positive social change.
Senior journalist Qamar Agha, paying homage to the revered freedom fighters, emphasized their vision for democratic India, championing principles of equality and fraternity. Qamar Agha delineated the distinct contributions of television and newspapers, underscoring the imperative of newspaper readership for knowledge enhancement.
Advocating for patience and resilience in contemporary times, Agha asserted the enduring history of love and affection in the country. He cautioned against a life filled with hatred, emphasizing the paramount need for fraternity and unity.
Senior journalist Rahul Dev, while acknowledging the role of discourse, urged individuals to actively contribute to societal change. Dev underscored the responsibility of journalists in mitigating misunderstandings and conflicts, advocating for constructive dialogue to eradicate hatred.
Television anchor Sumaira Khan recognized the challenges faced by the media industry but emphasized its pivotal role in shaping a positive society. She particularly highlighted the influence of social media in the current era and stressed the responsibility of mainstream media in driving positive transformations.
Senior social worker Dr. Tajuddin Ansari commended the Watan Samachar Forum for promoting responsible journalism and emphasized the duty of media professionals to spread positive messages while eliminating negativity.
Milan Sharma from the India Today Group underscored the contemporary significance of social media, asserting that everyone is connected to the media, making it a collective responsibility to contribute to building a better society.
Supreme Court Advocate on Record, Aslam Ahmad, extended gratitude to all the esteemed guests.