The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, graced the Manorama News Newsmaker Award 2024 ceremony held today in New Delhi as the Chief Guest. He presented the prestigious award to Shri Suresh Gopi, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas and acclaimed film actor.

In his address, the Vice-President highlighted the unique challenges of cinema and politics, praising Shri Suresh Gopi for his outstanding success in both fields. The Vice-President fondly recalled his recent visit to Fatima Mata College, Kollam — at the invitation of Shri Suresh Gopi, an alumnus of the college. He remarked that this gesture reflects the Minister’s enduring connection to his roots.

He emphasized the media’s essential role in highlighting positive developments in the nation to inspire the youth and stressed journalism’s responsibility in giving a voice to the voiceless. He also highlighted the media’s crucial role in creating a drug-free society by spreading awareness and shaping responsible public discourse.The Vice-President further stated that in this age of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to separate truth from fake news. He emphasized that the press and media must play a very responsible role in our democracy.

The Vice-President recalled Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar’s immortal words, “If a man speaks the truth with a pure heart, he stands higher than those who perform lifelong penance or give away billions in charity. He urged the Press to follow Thiruvalluvar’s words of eternal wisdom.

Recognizing the Manorama Group’s enduring legacy, Shri C.P.Radhakrishnan applauded its unwavering commitment to truth, language, culture, and its contributions to Malayalam literature and media. He commended Manorama News for being Kerala’s leading opinion-maker and a trusted voice, reflecting the people’s pulse over the years.

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PR/AR