Wednesday, July 13 2005 15:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: The media should have a mission to make India corruption free and launch a movement for the removal of poverty in the country, President A P J Abdul Kalam said today (July 13, 2005).

''I would like the media to take up the task of making a corruption-free India as a mission besides launching a movement for the removal of poverty and make the State a developed one before 2020,'' the President told the concluding function of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Press Club, Kolkata here.

If all States developed, India would be developed, he said.

Kalam also urged the media to celebrate the success of farmers, fishermen and individuals in rural areas saying this was worth reporting as it concerned people and village development. Media should bring out stories to motivate people.

Reminding the media of its social responsibility, he said that it must reflect social reality as a well-polished mirror. ''You are charting a rough sea. Don't go with the movement of other ships, but navigate through the stars.''

Both print and electronic media, he said, could play a very important role in the nation's development and time had come to give the momentum for development.

The President also underlined the need for undertaking research and said that media houses must encourage research to improve the quality of reporting.