Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 23: While releasing Dogri version of the autobiography of Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, Congress MP and former Sadar-e-Riyasat Dr Karan Singh termed journalists as watch and ward of the society but stressed that the professionals should follow values and ethics of journalism.
The autobiography, a saga of struggle and commitment towards healthy journalism, has been translated from English into Dogri by eminent writer, film personality and son of Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, Ved Rahi and published by the Dogri Sanstha under the supervision of ace printing expert Vinay Saraf, grandson of Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, who has also edited it.
Dr Karan Singh released this Dogri version of the autobiography, titled “Ik Journalist Di Aatmkatha” in the presence of prominent intellectuals, journalists, representatives of various social, cultural, religious and literary organizations, members of Saraf family at an impressive function, which was jointly organized by Dogri Sanstha Jammu and Press Club of Jammu, here today.
Delivering first memorial lecture on Lala Mulk Raj Saraf, Dr Karan Singh recalled that he had written his first article in Hindustan Times in 1953 as a part of series on ‘Glory of Shri Amarnath Yatra’. “Till date, I have written number of articles on various topics in different newspapers and magazines, but I just want to mention here that today’s journalists have to follow the basic ethics, values and discipline of journalism,” he stressed.
Earlier, president of Dogri Sanstha, Joginder Chhatrapal said that young and budding journalists should read this autobiography to learn about the beginning of journalist in Jammu and Kashmir. He also threw light on the life history of the late journalist, popularly known as Lala Ji and described him as a great visionary and born journalist, who gave the State of Jammu and Kashmir its first independent newspaper ‘Ranbir’.
Ashwani Kumar, president of the Press Club of Jammu, in his concluding remarks, said that Lala ji was not only father of journalism but he even spread journalism among the youth and motivated them to come forward in this adventurous world – which is termed as Fourth Pillar because of responsibility and accountability entrusted upon the profession.
PDP leader and former journalist, Nizamuddin Bhat from Srinagar, also participated in the event as a special guest.
Prof Lalit Magotra conducted proceedings of the function in Dogri language.
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