Mysore/Mysuru: University of Mysore (UoM) Vice-Chancellor Prof. N.K. Lokanath said that media plays a crucial role in providing information and educating public on Government schemes, programmes, facilities, benefits etc.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Vartalap’, a workshop for media representatives, organised jointly by the Department of Information, Government of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Department of Information and Public Relations, District Administration, Mysuru District Journalists Association (MDJA) and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of UoM, at Siddhartha Hotel in Nazarbad here yesterday.

Maintaining that the Press and other forms of Media play a crucial role in effectively reaching out Government schemes to the general public, especially in rural areas, Prof. Lokanath reiterated that an effective means of communication is vital in delivering Government programmes. In this backdrop such workshops must be held at Taluk and Hobli levels as well, he opined.

The Government of India’s Information Department Additional Director General S.G. Ravindra, in his address, said that the Centre has implemented several schemes for the welfare of the people.

Pointing out that 49 publicity vehicles are in operation in the State for publicising information on 79 Central schemes, he said that this campaign is as part of ‘Viksit Bharat’ initiative of the Centre. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the beneficiaries of various Central schemes of Kolar and Tumakuru districts virtually on Dec. 9, he added.

Mysuru DHO Dr. P.C. Kumaraswamy, who also spoke, explained how the Health department, with the co-operation of the Media, successfully tackled the COVID pandemic a couple of years ago.

Highlighting that health workers are engaged in door-to-door campaigns for the success of Pulse Polio and eradication of diseases such as Leprosy and Tuberculosis, he said that Ayushman Bharat ­— Arogya Karnataka cards are being distributed to the beneficiaries.

UoM Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Head Prof. M.S. Sapna, Senior Journalist Amshi Prasannakumar, MDJA President S.T. Ravikumar and  Lead Bank Manager V.N. Nagesh too spoke.

In the sessions held later, Scheme Nodal Officer Dr. B. Brunda spoke about Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat scheme, POC Assistant Manager Harsha on Pradhan Mantri Ujwala scheme, D.T. Venkatesh of SBI on Pradhan Mantri Jan-dhan scheme, Lead Bank Manager V.N. Nagesh on Viksit Bharat, KGB Regional Manager Shankarnarayan on Kisan Credit Card, SBI Chief Manager K. Venugopal Rao on MUDRA scheme, District T.B. Control Officer Dr. Mohammed Siraj Ahmed on Sickle Cell Anaemia and Dr. Mahadev Prasad on control of epidemic diseases.

PIB Officers Shruthi and Prakash, Assistant Director of Department of Information and Public Relations, Mysuru,  T.K. Harish, Information Officer Ramesh and others were present on the occasion.