The Irreparable loss
Mind does not believe and trust that Shri Harbhajan Singh, the highly spirited, full of enthusiasm and energetic always attired in white dress, briskly moving from one point to another is no more, among the media fraternity, his readers, admirers and well wishers. His untimely demise abound all who knew him. He was a star who enlightened hundreds with his wisdom is found missing.
A multifaceted personality—was a social worker, educationist, literary figure and a journalist. In nutshell, he was a dynamic person, and with his multiple and multi-dimensioned traits and activities he was a genius person par excellence. Patriotism and honesty was in his veins. He was far above narrow thinking, never knew hatred, jealousy and enmity. Infact he doled his good will whosoever came in his folds.
Shri Harbhajan Singh realised the problems of small and medium newspapers and established All India Small and Medium Newspapers Federation which has grown into an effective body in the last 4 decades. His constant persuasion has been fruitful and the Central Government has granted various reliefs to the small and medium newspapers, also granted representation of small and medium newspapers in Central and State media bodies.
To give wider acclaim he organised and lead various delegations of journalists to visit Russia, China and London on reciprocal basis. A tremendous task he carried on his shoulders. His speeches during any conference always allured the delegates to work for the progress of their motherland. The amount of work he did for the betterment of the media fraternity will go deep in the annals of the history of India. He is called “Messiah” of small and medium newspapers.
We salute the noble soul.
HARBHAJAN SINGH
Messiah of Small & Medium Newspapers
About 2 decades back, small & medium newspapers were non-identity, men who matters were not taking them seriously, because of their small number of circulation, but from heart to heart, it was a substantial force, because small & medium newspapers are in majority in numbers and their combined circulation is larger than big newspapers. Large newspapers are hardly hundred in number, coming out from big cities or the capital of the states, but the small & medium newspapers coming from small villages and towns are more then, 10 thousand.
According to survey 80% of the populations are relied upon small & medium newspapers for their information.
Shri Harbhajan Singh had put his life in Federation and fought vigorously for their just causes with the government, with his personal rapport with the men who matters with the government, able to get lot of relief’s, for the small & medium newspapers and status too.
In many of the agitations against the Government for the rightful rights, he was always on forefront. Newsprint was important issue, and he raised the voice, the control should be lifted from newsprint and the government lifted the control from the newsprint and newsprint is easily available both Indian and imported in the market at the competitive price.
Accreditation was used to be given only to the big newspapers, and to the correspondents, as a member of Central Press Accreditation Committee, he vigorously fought for the relaxation of the rules, now daily, weekly and fortnightly having a circulation of 5000 copies can get the accreditation from the Government of India.
Shri Harbhajan Singh was the senior most member of Central Press Accreditation Committee; he was on the committee for over 20 years.
The advertisement is the main source of revenue for the small & medium newspapers, as they rely upon the government support, he pleaded to the government that 80% advertisements should be given to small & medium newspapers and there rates should be increased, it was continued struggle and finally the Government accepted the viewpoint of Harbhajan Singh, and today almost all the small & medium newspapers are getting government advertisements with more insertions and higher advertising rates. With the coming of Dr. Manmohan Singh government, he was nominated in the empanelment committee of DAVP, which approves newspapers for the government of India’s advertisements.
Governments in the centre and state give due weightage to the point of views of the All India Small & Medium Newspapers Federation and started consulting on all major issues concerning media.
Federation submitted athe small & medium newspapers, as they rely upon the government support, he pleaded to the government that 80% advertisements should be given to small & medium newspapers and there rates should be increased, it was continued struggle and finally the Government accepted the viewpoint of Harbhajan Singh, and today almost all the small & medium newspapers are getting government advertisements with more insertions and higher advertising rates. With the coming of Dr. Manmohan Singh government, he was nominated in the empanelment committee of DAVP, which approves newspapers for the government of India’s advertisements.
Governments in the centre and state give due weightage to the point of views of the All India Small & Medium Newspapers Federation and started consulting on all major issues concerning media.
Federation submitted a proposal to the Government for setting up of a Small and Medium Newspapers Development Corporation, which will strengthen the small & medium newspapers. Small and Medium newspapers educate the 80% of the population at the grassroot level in small towns and villages, those who decide the fate of the country at the ballot box.
This Federation is the largest and the strongest body of small & medium newspapers, having nearly 10,000 members in the country and organized units in the states.
It was the effort of Shri Harbhajan Singh that the PIB, DAVP, Press Council of India and other government’s media organizations in the centre and in the states recognize Federation.
In the Annual General meeting of the Federation in 2003, Shri Harbhajan Singh was declared National President for ‘Life’ of the All India Small & Medium Newspapers Federation have known Shri Harbhajan Singh, since 1984., when I was Governor of Assam and Meghalya, Harbhajanji was a loveable man’ a dependable colleague, and a thorough gentleman on and off the state.
I had a long association with him right from 1984 sharing the dias even after my demitting office as Governor. I had opportunities galore to come to contact with him on numerous occasions. He had great qualities of a organiser and used to organize meetings, conferences and seminars on various occasions on current issues. He was indeed instrumental in setting up the All India National Unity Conference as Harbhajan Singh felt the need for such a Peoples movement in Democratic Country with so much diversity’; He brought all important People’s leaders on one Platform.
He was in constant touch with several senior Ministers of the Union Government and state Governments and I must say he was quick enough to develop an instant rapport with all those who mattered.
A Prolific writer his notable books are ‘My India’ , “After India Who’? Great Betrayal on Arab World, etc’ He did a lot for the NRIs Providing them a Platform to raise their problems before the authorities that mattered and succeeded on more than one count. He was a messiah for the Press workers of the small & medium newspapers being the President of the All India Small & Medium Newspapers Federation’ Harbhajan Singh surely will be missed by large number of his friends and adorers”
– Dr. Bhishma Narain Singh
Annual Session
