Mysuru: There was a time when people depended on the Kannada news broadcast by All India Radio. They would switch on the radio during the news broadcast time and keenly listen to it. However, with the advent of internet, the number of listeners of Kannada news has gone down, said Akashvani retired news reader A. R. Ranga Rao.

He was speaking after receiving the Agaram Rangaiah award at an event of Madhyama Mitra Sneha Milana, organised by Vishwa Samvada Kendra as part of Aadhya Patrakarta Deva Rishi Narada Jayanthi at Madhava Krupa on JLB Road, here yesterday.

He was recalling his 35 years experience as a news reader in Akashvani and said that those days, unlike the present, there was no internet service available. Everyone used to listen to the Kannada news broadcast from Delhi. However, today, the number of listeners of Kannada news has reduced, he regretted.

Hubballi Prajna Pravaha Coordinator Raghunandan said that Narada, who with his commitment, soft nature and inspiring qualities was the model or guide for journalists and intellectuals.

The journalists are spending their lives amidst dangers and it is not right to criticise the whole community for the mistake of a few. And it is also not right to close one’s eyes when confronted with problems. However, it has become a challenge for the journalists to spare time for the family. Hence, the society should recognise the contributions of the journalists for their service, he said.

There was a time if one was a journalist he was identified as patriot. But in these times, he has to fight amidst tricky situations, he added.

Vishwa Samvada Kendra Trustee Kshama Naragund in her inaugural address said that the Kendra was reaching the news to the public without any provocation.  Along with the three wings of the government, Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, journalism is considered as the fourth pillar and hence it should work as the watchdog of the society.

The function began with the watering of a tulasi plant. Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) President C.K. Mahendra presided. Senior Journalist C. Maheshwaran was also presented the Agaram Rangaiah award. Guruprasad and others were present on the occasion.