Rajouri, January 27
Press Information Bureau(PIB), Jammu organised a media workshop ‘vartalap’ at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU) here Tuesday on the developmental initiatives of Government of India, particularly Vibrant Villages Programme and Tribal Welfare Schemes, with focus on achievements in district Rajouri.
Addressing the workshop, Prof Javaid Iqbal, the Vice Chancellor of BGSBU, as per PIB statement highlighted the significant role of the media in creating widespread awareness about the Union government’s various schemes aimed at socio-economic development of tribal communities. He stated that the media serves as a vital link between the government and the public by not only disseminating information but also by ensuring transparency and accountability in the effective implementation of these schemes. Emphasising the growing importance of digital platforms, he further said that digital media plays a crucial role in disseminating information in the native languages of tribal communities, thereby improving outreach, inclusivity, and public participation among marginalised sections of society.
In her address, Director of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Jammu, Neha Jalali said that the media serves as an important interface between the government and the public. She said the media is an important stakeholder in development of tribal communities. Emphasising inclusive growth, she stressed that the unique culture of tribal communities must be preserved alongside their socio-economic development. She noted that natural resources in tribal regions should not be compromised and called for a balanced approach to ensure sustainable development in these areas. The Director also urged the media to actively highlight the impact of government welfare schemes in tribal regions to create awareness and ensure their effective implementation.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Abhishek Sharma highlighted a range of critical challenges confronting the contemporary media landscape. These included the rapid spread of disinformation and misinformation, the increasing use of deep-fake and other artificial intelligence–driven technologies to manipulate content, and the expanding influence of digital and social media platforms on public opinion. He also emphasised the growing importance of media ethics, credibility, and responsible journalism in an era of instant news and viral content. Addressing these issues, the Deputy Commissioner underscored the need to strengthen professional standards, enhance digital literacy, and prepare journalism for the evolving demands of the future.
Assistant Commissioner of Development, Auqil Nuvaid elaborated on the objectives and progress of the Vibrant Villages Programme, highlighting the various measures being implemented for the socio-economic upliftment of tribal communities. He informed that several villages have been selected and are being developed on a pilot basis, with focused efforts on ensuring the availability of basic amenities such as housing, drinking water, healthcare, education, connectivity, and livelihood opportunities. He further stated that the experiences and outcomes from these pilot villages would serve as a model for scaling up the initiative and replicating the development framework in other villages to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.
District Social Welfare Officer, Abdul Raheem, spoke about the ongoing efforts to improve living conditions in tribal areas. He emphasized that the government is focusing on enhancing basic amenities, such as access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, healthcare, and education, to ensure a better quality of life for tribal communities. He stated that drug de-addiction centres are being established under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, a nationwide campaign aimed at creating drug-free communities. These centres will provide counseling, rehabilitation, and support services to help individuals overcome addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations in remote and tribal areas.
Coordinator, Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies and Research, BGSBU, Dr. Danish Iqbal spoke on the theme of transformation in media and emphasised the evolving role of media in society. He underscored that media must remain sensitive to the culture, traditions, and lifestyle of tribal communities while reporting on issues related to them. He highlighted the immense tourism potential of Rajouri and stressed the need to bring the district prominently onto the tourism map of Jammu and Kashmir.
Among others, the workshop was also attended by Joint Registrar, Sunit Gupta; Controller, Examination, Mohammed Ishaq; Media and Communication Officers, Zakir Nazeer and Muzafar Hussain Wani; and District Information Officer, Ashiq Rafiq. The event highlighted the government’s efforts to promote socio-economic development in remote and tribal areas, showcasing significant achievements in district Rajouri. Participants were briefed on various welfare measures, infrastructure improvements, and programmes aimed at empowering tribal communities. The workshop served as a platform to engage the media in understanding and disseminating information about government initiatives, thereby ensuring greater awareness and outreach at the grassroots level.
The workshop also featured an interactive session, during which members of the media raised questions regarding the status of implementation of various government schemes in tribal areas. The media persons also offered valuable suggestions to the district administration, to improve outreach, transparency, and effectiveness of welfare programmes in the region.
