PANAJI, NOVEMBER 17, 2025::The Government is with the press and issues related to the media fraternity will always be looked into by the Government, assured Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant while speaking as the Chief Guest at the National Press Day celebrations held at the Institute Menezes Braganza in Panaji, today. Present was Guest of Honour, Commissioner cum Secretary, (I & P), Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS. “There are several issues that affect the press and I would say to them please come together and communicate exactly what you’ll want so that we are in a better position to understand and make a decision,” the Chief Minister said. Dr Sawant further assured the fraternity that the Government would look into pension- related matters of the journalists. “The truth is always important. And it has to come to the fore otherwise people suffer. It is vital that while reporting, both sides of the story are covered. Don’t report stories to create hype. Verify news. The Government is working for the State and while criticism by the media is always welcomed as it’s your duty to do so , the State’s image is supreme for us. Let’s work towards maintaining it”, Dr Sawant said. Commending the interactive session ‘Women in Journalism, Challenges and Opportunities’ which began earlier in the program, Dr Sawant said that the Government has moved beyond women empowerment and is now following up with women-led development which is the need of the hour.Veteran journalist, Ms Devika Sequeira, Assistant Metro Editor-The Times of India, Ms Gauree Malkarnekar, Partner-Digital Goa news service, Ms Sangeeta Naik, Senior journalist, The Navhind Times, Ms Diana Fernandes, were the panelists for the session which was moderated by Ms Pradnya Gaonkar Rane, Composting Editor, Doordarshan. Earlier, Director, Department of Information and Publicity, Shri Dipak Bandekar, in his welcome address said that this year the theme for National Press Day is ‘Upholding India’s Fourth Pillar, in the Digital Age-a pillar that has held Indian democracy upright for so many years. He said, “The Fourth Pillar, our free press was never made of marble. It was built with ink, courage, and the stubborn belief that truth must travel faster than power.”Shri Bandekar stressed on the need to uphold the Fourth Pillar by reclaiming the idea of verification as a sacred duty, finding new economic models such as community-funded journalism, and teaching media literacy. He concluded by saying, “Do not mistake speed for power. The Digital age rewards the loudest, but history remembers the bravest.” The Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on veteran cartoonist, Shri Alex Raphael Fernandes popularly known as Alexyz, from Siolim. In his acceptance speech, Shri Alexyz thanked the Government for the honour and indulged in a short impromptu laughter session to convey his happiness. President of Goa Union of Journalists, Shri Rajtilak Naik thanked the Government for raising the journalist Family Pension from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per month. He hoped for the continued support of the Government in matters pertaining to journalists. Senior journalist and Editor, The Goan Everyday, Shri Joel Afonso, Senior Journalist, Tarun Bharat, Shri Jai Naik, senior journalist, Shri Atul Pandit Bhaangarbhuim, senior journalist, Navprabha, Shri Baban Bhagat and senior photojournalist, The Navhind Times, Shri Nandesh Kambli were felicitated on the occasion. This year, the Goa Journalist Awards 2025 were awarded to Shri. Pandurang Gaonkar (Best Editor Award on National Integration and Communal Harmony), Shri. Ajay Buva (Rural Reporting), Ms Ramandeep Kaur (Reporting in Public Health and Hygiene), Smt Vibha Verma (Reporting with special reference to Women and Children/Social issue), Shri. Marcus Mergulhao (Sports Reporting), Ms Gauree Malkarnekar (Reporting on Art and Culture), Shri. Rajtilak Naik (Photojournalism-Best Photograph of the year), Ms Christine Machado, (Reporting on Education) and Shri. Sameep Narvekar (Reporting on Achievements of the Government). The results of the Photo contest under the scheme Goa State Photo Contest and Exhibition 2014 were announced and awarded. In the category ‘Viksit Goa- Overall development of the State’, the first prize went to Shri Arunabh Bhattacharjee, second prize to Shri Siddesh Mayenkar and third prize to Shri Abhinav Bhattacharjee. Consolation prizes went to Ms Akshanda Rane, Shri Ganesh Shetkar, Shri Amrut Ramakant Shet, Shri Narayan Pissurlenkar and Shri Pramod Thakur. In the category ‘Forests and Wildlife of Goa- Showcase Goa’s natural beauty including its stunning landscapes, mountains, lakes, rivers, etc.’ the first prize went to Shri Shailendra N. Naik, second prize to Shri Prashant Shirodkar and third prize to Shri Nakul Dhawaskar. Consolation prizes were given to Shri Sidhesh S. Shetgaonkar, Shri Siddesh Mayenkar, Shri Joshua D’Silva, Shri Shivam Harmalkar and Shri Ganesh Shetkar. A photo exhibition of all the award winning photographs was on display. Present were Joint Director, Shri Praveen Shirodkar, Information Officer, Shri Allwyn Pereira, Assistant Accounts Officer, Smt. Hazel Almeida, Office Superintendent, Shri Sailesh Naik, staff of Department of Information and Publicity, among others. Information Assistant, Ms Utkarsha Bhuskute compered the function.
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