Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, presided over a significant event in Mumbai, Maharashtra, marking the release of the ‘200 Not Out‘ documentary chronicling the illustrious journey of Mumbai Samachar, Asia’s oldest newspaper. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde, highlighted the newspaper’s enduring legacy and its role in shaping India’s journalistic landscape.
Mumbai Samachar: A Beacon of Credibility
Two Centuries of Unwavering Commitment
Shri Amit Shah emphasized the extraordinary feat achieved by Mumbai Samachar, stating, “It is very difficult to run any institution for over two centuries, that too a local newspaper.” He lauded the newspaper for setting an exemplary standard of credibility, a quality he noted requires immense effort to earn and maintain.
Ideological Neutrality: A Key to Success
The Home Minister drew a poignant comparison between politics and journalism, asserting that while a politician without ideology cannot excel, a newspaper must remain ideologically neutral to serve its readers effectively. He commended Mumbai Samachar for its ability to “remain connected with its readers without being associated with any ideology and kept delivering the truth to them.”
A Chronicle of India’s Journey
Witness to Historic Milestones
Shri Shah highlighted Mumbai Samachar’s unique position as a chronicler of India’s most pivotal moments:
- The 1857 revolution
- Formation of the Indian National Congress
- Initiation of Ganesh Utsav by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- The Gokhale-Tilak ideological debates
- Mahatma Gandhi’s rise to prominence
- Key independence movements: Quit India Movement, Salt Satyagraha
- India’s Independence Day and subsequent 75 years of freedom
From Jhansi to Modern India
In a powerful statement, Shri Shah noted, “A Gujarati who proved the same purpose for which Jhansi Ki Rani sacrificed her life, took oath in 2014, ‘Mumbai Samachar’ is the only newspaper that published both these news.” This remark underscores the newspaper’s role in documenting India’s journey from colonial struggle to contemporary leadership.
Preserving Cultural Heritage Through Journalism
Guardian of Gujarati Language
Shri Shah praised Mumbai Samachar for its significant contribution to keeping the Gujarati language alive in journalism. He emphasized that the newspaper’s impact transcends its circulation numbers, playing a crucial role in preserving linguistic and cultural heritage.
The Parsi Community’s Contributions
The Home Minister took a moment to acknowledge the Parsi community’s invaluable contributions to India’s progress. He cited their involvement in various sectors, including law, industrial development, fintech, and IT, as exemplary. Specifically, he highlighted the Cama family’s role in shaping Indian journalism through Mumbai Samachar.
A Call for Linguistic Pride and Preservation
Embracing Mother Tongues
Shri Shah stressed the importance of India’s linguistic diversity, calling it the nation’s heritage. He referenced the new education policy introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which mandates primary education in mother tongues. The Minister urged citizens to speak their native languages at home to ensure their preservation and transmission to future generations.
Enriching Hindi Through Diversity
Highlighting efforts to enrich the Hindi language, Shri Shah mentioned the incorporation of 22,831 words from various local languages into the Hindi dictionary. This initiative aims to make Hindi more comprehensive and reflective of India’s linguistic diversity.
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