INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Friday cited increasing instances of journalists dying young to propose a scheme for regular health check-ups
of media personnel and their family members, and said the government and media houses could collaborate for the purpose.Addressing
journalists and others from the media industry at a Diwali get-together at BJP headquarters, the PM highlighted the unfortunate instances of
relatively young journalists, including those whom he personally knew, passing away, and regretted that journalists did not go for regular
checks-up despite leading stressful lives."I don't know whether I should say this on such an occasion, but the unfortunate fact is that we
have lost several mediapersons of young age in recent times
We try to make others aware about such issues but we should try to ensure that all who are 40 or above go for regular check-ups," the PM
said."Let us develop a system, it can be by the government or by business houses for regular check-up of mediapersons and their family
members," Modi said at the interaction attended by BJP chief J P Nadda, home minister Amit Shah, IT minister Ashwini Vaishnav, I-B minister
Anurag Thakur and petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others.Diwali Milan, a practice introduced by Shah when he headed BJP, was an
annual affair until 2020 when it was interrupted by the pandemic.Deepfake Video Row: PM Modi says deepfakes one of the biggest threatsIn his
address, the PM spoke about the growing spread of Indian festivals and said many of them, earlier confined to a particular province or
region, had taken an all-India dimension, helped by the spread of electronic media
He gave the example of Navratri and Durga Puja, and laid stress on Chhath Puja celebrations that got underway on Friday.Confined to Bihar
and eastern UP until recently, Chhath had now spread to newer territories, the PM said as he stressed about the unique aspect of the
festival devoted to sun worship
"Everybody worships the rising sun but Chhath is unique in that it is about worshipping the setting sun," he added.Referring to his resolve
for 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India) by 2047, the PM said these were not merely words but the ground reality and urged the media to support
the country's endeavour in this regard
He also sought the media's support for the 'Swachh Bharat' drive.Modi said the 'vocal for local' campaign had found people's support, noting
that business of Rs 4.5 lakh crore took place in Diwali week, including those related to Chhath.WatchPM Modi's Diwali wish is here - 'May
this special festival...'
