On 28th June, 2020 a webinar was organized to commemorate the 29th foundation day of Mahaveer Samta Sandesh , a fortnightly published from Udaipur which is owned by socialist activist and journalist Himmat Seth and published regularly since 1992. It may appear a small thing to people but those who have read Mahaveer Samta Sandesh and participated in programmes organized by it, would certainly vouchsafe that it has been a journey committed to the ideals of socialism and democracy.

The webinar began at 11.15 am and continued till 2.00 pm which itself shows that people were eager to participate and express their opinion about the paper and the topic “ Janpakshadharta Aur Media”. The purpose of this webinar was to link people across the country to discuss the condition of media in the present situation of the country. Among those who participated in the webinar were professors, journalists, political activists , writers, poets and social workers. In the beginning the Chief editor of the paper Himmat Seth welcomed the guests and said that every year this day is celebrated in the form of a good gathering of people but due to the pandemic it is not possible this year so we are meeting of a digital platform.  The discussion began with Prof. Anand Kumar, former professor at Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. He said that the biggest change that has taken place in recent past is that media has started speaking the language of state and has started justifying their lies. This is true of electronic as well as the mainstream print media. It is becoming difficult to be true to the aspirations of people in these times. Dr. Ramsharan Joshi, former Vice President of Kendriya Hindi Sansthan and a noted journalist expressed the need to harness the national media and for this he recommended the formation of a Media Commission. He applauded the efforts of Himmat Seth and his team for keeping the true spirit of journalism alive in Udaipur. Dr. Sunilam, ex-MLA and convener of Samajvadi Sangam, said that despite all challenges such small newspaper must survive. He said that their presence is essential to keep the democracy intact. Ramkishore, a socialist thinker and writer from Lucknow joined and gave his opinion about the present day journalism. He said that the threat to independent journalism is much more today. Many of the intellectuals are in jail today. Those who express freely and criticize the government are victims of the state. Member Press Council of India, and President, Press Association of Delhi Jai Shankar Gupta spoke on the lies prevailing the state, politics and the journalism in  present India. He said that the majority of  press keeps toeing the line of the state narrative and there are just a few who ask questions from the government. Advocate Aradhana Bhargava, Bhopal addressed the webinar and spoke of the work being done by Mahaveer Samta Sandesh. She said that such a journalism is like  Tapasya.Well known story writer Dr. Gopal Sahar joined from Kapadvanj, Gujarat and told about the suffocation writers and journalists were suffering in Gujarat. He said that Mahaveer Samta Sandesh is playing a crucial role in voicing the protest in such difficult times. Prof. R.N. Vyas, former Dean, College of Arts, M.L.S.University said that the fourth pillar of democracy has become a tool in the hands of executive which is appropriating not only the legislature but judiciary also to fulfill its political agenda. Shankar Lal Chaudhary, state committee member of CPIML said that the media is owned by the corporate and serves the interest of the corporate and their allies in the government. He said that the present ruling parties are serving the corporate and are nor bothered about the people who voted them to power. He said that small and alternative media can only protect people’s interests in the country. Dr. Suresh Khairnar , former president of Rashtra Seva Dal  said that the mainstream media is completely devoid of any responsibility and is churning lies every day. It is working overtime to spread the propaganda of the BJP and RSS. He admired the work done by Mahaveer Samta Sandesh over these years and expressed his good wishes for the years to come. The webinar was convened by Prof. Hemendra Chandalia . Hemant Paliwal took care of technical arrangements for the links and connectivity.