Saturday, September 24 2005 14:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Stressing that newspapers must have a larger role in shaping public opinion, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Sept 24, 2005) said they couldn't be reduced to platforms of entertainment and gossip or 'purveyors of prejudice'.

"Newspapers cannot be mere platforms of entertainment and gossip, they cannot be mere purveyors of prejudice and petulance. They must have a larger purpose. Above all, they must and contribute to a nation's intellectual vibrancy," he said while inaugurating the 125th anniversary edition of the English daily, The Tribune.

The world wanted India to succeed and the bottlenecks were not 'external, they are internal', he said.

The PM called upon the politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals, the media and all those who influence public opinion to work together to ensure that the country succeeds and remains on the path of development.

"There is much that we must do to inspire our children and grandchildren, " he said.

"The modernization of the mind must accompany the modernization of the economy," he said since he believed the media had an important role to play in shaping public opinion and attitudes to keep in step with the economic evolution.

Singh said he was convinced that the nation would make rapid progress on the 'material front' in years to come.

"I am concerned that we must make similar progress on the intellectual front as well," he added.

We can strengthen out knowledge base: PM

He had asked IT doyen Sam Pitroda and Pushp Bhargava to give leadership to the Knowledge Commission so that 'we can strengthen out knowledge base'.

"This programme cannot be just a programme of building new institutions. It must also be one of shaping new attitudes, of instilling greater curiosity in the minds of our children, of promoting liberal values, of reinforcing respect for the core values of our Constitution and our Republic," the PM said.

Quoting the words of The Tribune's founder Dayal Singh Majithia in 1881 before the launch of the newspaper, the PM said, "Down with shams and hypocrisies which played such a prominent role in the life of the Indian people! Weed out old and worn out customs, stupid prejudices and superstitious beliefs."

"'Do away with poverty, misery and ignorance and pull down the false gods. March with the times, feel the good. inspire you even today, for our world is still in need of them, " he said.

He said a billion-plus Indians were "waiting, aspiring, yearning to take their due place in the world, to live a life of peace, well-being, self-respect and dignity. There is much that we must do to realize the dreams that inspire us. I hope The Tribune will play the role its founders sought, to light the way ahead."

The region had become the granary of the sub-continent besides abounding in fruits and the time had come for a second Green Revolution, Singh said, "It is my sincere hope that our Government will be able to put in place policies that will make this possible. We are investing in infrastructure to help the farmers and traders diversify their product profile."

But, more was needed to link India to the global market.

"The modernization of Amritsar airport will be an important step in this direction," he said adding that the region must rapidly become a strong industrial base.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, the PM said under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed it was witnessing progress in agriculture and industry as the peace process was picking up pace.

"I am sure this state too will gradually become an active participant in the growth process propelling India forward," he added.

Punjab had come 'out of a long period of distress and trouble is now once again on the road to development'.

Haryana and Himachal Pradesh too were becoming attractive industrial destinations. These states and J&K could compete with others to attract investment and the media could play an important role in this regard, Singh said.

He said though he was confident that workers and farmers of the region would take its agricultural and industrial economy forward, 'the focus should be on development of the knowledge economy and services sector. Here too the media can play a role by bringing the experience of other parts of the country and the world to the people here'.