Mangaluru : Deputy chief minister Govind Karjol on Sunday exhorted the media in the state to focus on rural areas of the state and the country as well. Reminding the fourth pillar of democracy that 70% of India resides in rural areas, Karjol said it is this strata of society that needs greater focus compared to issues of urban areas, especially the farmers who play a pivotal role in ensuring food security for the society at large.

Conferring the annual awards of Karnataka Union of Working Journalists at the valedictory of the two-day 35th journalists conference on Sunday, Karjol said the media should focus on the nation’s development.

“This development should not be limited to industries, but also farmers, who have success stories on judicious use of water. Karnataka stands number one in this aspect, and farmers who have adopted this practice should be the focus of attention,” he said.

Exhorting agricultural and horticultural universities to focus on their achievements as well, Karjol said when these positive examples are highlighted, the society will reap benefits of their collective wisdom. There are several such success stories in areas of horticulture, agriculture, irrigation, coconut and coffee growing, he said, adding if these examples get highlighted, the state can certainly go up the national ranking in conservation of water resources.

Referring to various demands that the KUWJ flagged with chief minister B S Yediyurappa during the pre-budget meeting, Karjol said he will personally strive to get the Rs 5 crore welfare fund that the chief minister announced in the budget get increased to Rs 50 crore. “I will strive to ensure Rs 5 crore is granted for construction of a patrika bhavan in Bengaluru, and increase the amount set aside for their construction at the district level from the present Rs 25 lakh,” he said.

Highlighting the contribution that Mahatma Gandhi played in fostering journalism in the pre-independence era with the ‘Young Indian’ and ‘Harijan’ and the impact that these papers had on the freedom movement, Karjol exhorted KUWJ to institute an award in the name of the Father of the nation. This will spur young upcoming journalists to know about the role that Gandhiji played, he said, adding this is as important as remembering veteran journalists as well.

Earlier, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel likened journalists to guru (teacher) who have power of trinity – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh– to create, sustain or destroy.

“Journalists play this role in the lives of politicians by pointing out their mistakes and help them get better,” he said. KUWJ announced that the 36th journalist’s state conference will be held in Kalaburagi. Karjol, who is district minister of Kalaburagi, assured his full cooperation for the event.