Veteran journalist Uday Mahurkar felicitated by Gujarat CM

November 20, 2020

Ahmedabad: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Wednesday felicitated veteran journalist from Gujarat, Mr Uday Mahurkar for being appointed as the Information Commissioner of India.

In his address, the Chief Minister congratulated the newly appointed Information Commissioner of India, Mr Mahurkar calling him a pride of Gujarat. Mr Mahurkar has become the first-ever journalist to be one of the 10 Information Commissioners appointed in the Central Information Commission, which has been constituted under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

“We have seen in the past that generally, retired officers are given the roles of Information Commissioners. But this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has charted a new way by appointing a journalist to the post. This is a significant step in the interest of a healthy democracy. Those who are rested with the responsibility to empower the voice of the people, are being given such roles,” Mr Rupani said.

“Udaybhai has been committed to ideology and has the courage to fight for it. I believe that in his new role, Udaybhai will show same commitment to protect the rights of the commonman and keep the flame of democracy burning,” the Chief Minister said.

The felicitation programme was jointly organised by Gujarat Media Club (GMC) and Lions Club International Dist. 3232 B1-B2. The Chief Minister felicitated Mr Mahurkar with a shawl, while GMC and the Lions Club International handed over citations to Mr Mahurkar.

During his address, Mr Mahurkar shared his life experiences that helped him get moulded into a fine and effective journalist. Mr Mahurkar had started his journalistic career as a sports journalist in the Indian Express. In 2013 Mr Mahurkar became an author with his first book, ‘Centrestage’ followed by second book ‘Marching with a Billion’ in 2014 – both books focusing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s polity, administration and governance.

“Besides many others, I am also indebted to Narendrabhai (Modi) for giving me some real learning in the practical life. And also Swami Ramdev ji, who has helped me transform my personal life for a good health,” said Mr Mahurkar, who is also a past-president of Gujarat Media Club (GMC).

In his welcome address, GMC President Nirnay Kapoor recalled Mr Mahurkar’s term as GMC President, which saw maximum activities for the benefit of Club’s journalist members. Giving an overview of the current activities of GMC, Mr Kapoor said, “Even in the current COVID-19 times, we are continuing activities for the benefit of our journalist members. Almost each month we have kept online sessions for capacity building on various subjects – be it overcoming COVID-19 stigma, or spreading awareness about reporting in the COVID-19 times, or how to tackle and control fake news among others.”

About the upcoming activities, Mr Kapoor stated that GMC is also planning a certificate programme for the young working journalists for their skill development and capacity building. “We are engaging with PDPU for a one-month certificate course for working journalists. Secondly, GMC will also join an awareness and promotion programme for cadaver donation in association with the Kidney Institute – IKDRC, Ahmedabad. The mission is to completely stop live organ donation by 2022. A large group of Medical fraternity and other organisations will join with us,” said Mr Kapoor.

Congratulating Mr Mahurkar on behalf of 1.4 million ‘Lions’ of the world, and about 300,000 from India and about 20,000 “Lions” of Gujarat, Mr Praveen Chhajed, International Director (2001-2002), Lions Club International said, “Irrespective of the media company Mr Mahurkar has worked with, he has always put Nation First in his writing of news stories and become a role model for many in this field.”

Noted author and screenwriter, Ms Kaajal Oza Vaidya performed the role of master of ceremony and the vote of thanks was given by GMC’s Secretary (Organisation) Mr Kuldeep Tiwari.

Recent Stories