Bilaspur, October 23, 2026: The eighth anniversary of the Bilaspur edition of the daily newspaper Saathi Sandesh was celebrated on Friday, October 23, in Bilaspur, the judicial capital of Chhattisgarh. The programme was organised at Udyog Bhawan and witnessed the participation of distinguished personalities associated with literature, journalism, education, art, culture and social service.
A major highlight of the celebration was the release of a colour brochure of Saathi Sandesh. The event also featured a discussion on the theme “Journalism: Past, Present and Future”, during which speakers shared their views on the changing role of journalism, its social responsibilities and the challenges it faces in the contemporary world.
The colour brochure was released in the presence of several distinguished guests, including senior litterateur Raghavendra Kumar Dubey, National President of Prayas Prakashan Sahitya Akademi; Justice Chandrabhushan Bajpai, retired judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court; senior poet Ajay Pathak; senior writer and Indologist Acharya Lalit Muni; Swarajya Karun, Literary Editor of Saathi Sandesh; senior litterateur Dr. Manik Vishwakarma ‘Navrang’; Maloy Banerjee, Editor-in-Chief of Saathi Sandesh; Dr. Udaybhan Singh Chauhan, a prominent leader of the Chhattisgarh statehood movement; and Professor Shahid Ali of Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Raipur.
The release of the brochure marked an important moment in the newspaper’s eighth-anniversary celebrations. The gathering brought together eminent personalities from different fields, reflecting the newspaper’s engagement with literary, cultural and public affairs.
Discussion on ‘Journalism: Past, Present and Future’
The discussion on “Journalism: Past, Present and Future” was another significant feature of the programme. All the dignitaries present on the dais shared their views on the subject. Shailesh Pandey, former MLA from Bilaspur, also participated in the discussion and expressed his views.
The discussion focused on the evolution of journalism, its present-day form and its future prospects. The role of journalism in a rapidly changing communication environment, the credibility of news and the media’s responsibility towards society were among the key issues addressed during the session.
With the expansion of digital media and the increasing speed of information dissemination, journalism is undergoing significant changes. In this context, the importance of factual reporting, impartiality and commitment to public interest has become even more pronounced. The discussion provided an opportunity for participants from different backgrounds to reflect on these issues and exchange their perspectives.
Eminent Personalities Honoured
As part of the anniversary celebration, several individuals who have made notable contributions to society were honoured. People recognised for their work in literature, art, culture, education, public service and other fields were presented with shawls and mementoes in appreciation of their contributions.
The felicitation ceremony acknowledged the efforts of individuals who have established themselves in their respective fields and contributed to society through their work. The participation of representatives from diverse professional and social backgrounds added to the significance of the occasion.
Participation of Writers, Journalists and Intellectuals
The programme was attended by a large number of writers, journalists and intellectuals from Bilaspur city and various parts of the division. Several journalists from Raipur also participated in the event.
The presence of representatives from the literary and journalistic communities created an opportunity for interaction, exchange of ideas and discussion on contemporary issues. The anniversary celebration brought together people associated with different aspects of public life on a common platform.
The programme was conducted by senior litterateur Dr. Vivek Tiwari, who coordinated the proceedings.
The eighth-anniversary celebration of the Bilaspur edition of Saathi Sandesh brought together a brochure release, a discussion on journalism and a felicitation ceremony. The event marked an important occasion in the newspaper’s journey and provided a platform for dialogue among members of the literary, journalistic and wider intellectual community.
