Category: In News

Editorial for Central hall

Sixty two years ago this month – on November 26, 1949 – the Constituent Assembly passed the draft of the Constitution of India. The draft itself was the outcome of over 100 years of Freedom Struggle and a confluence of diverse streams of political, social and economic thought that formed the idea of a free India.

Many of us were young at that time, may be at primary school. But despite the travails of the partition, migration of refugees across the divide and an immediate war on Kashmir, excitement over India coming out of bondage ran high. Tremendous challenges were ahead, but there was hope for the children of free India. This was mainly because India after Independence was led by great men like Jawaharlal Nehru – whose birthday falls on November 14 – Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, Dr B R Ambedkar, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and a galaxy of other men and women who thought of building a new India — secular, strong, independent and where, in Gandhiji’s words, the “lowliest and the lost” will live a life of dignity.

These men gave us the Constitution which underlined these values and provided for Parliament elected directly by the people, an independent judiciary to guarantee that the country will be governed by the Rule of Law, and an executive meant to be sensitive to the concerns of the common man. The country has moved forward since and can hold its head high, poised as it is to emerge as a major power of the 21st century.

But over the six decades, the country has also seen the decline in the values that were supposed to guide the new India. The institutions that were supposed to steer the nation in their respective spheres – Parliament, judiciary and the executive – have come under strain and call for remedial steps before it is too late.

The Indian Constitution is one of the noblest documents for ensuring democracy in such a diverse country.  The shortcomings that have come to the fore are not of this great  document made with care and vision,  but us, we the lesser mortals, who are not able to use it the way it ought to have been.  A special responsibility devolves on Parliament on this score and the MPs, irrespective of political dispensation, can help the Republic a great deal if they overcome petty quarrels and arrive at a consensus  that hereafter this Parliament will lead the nation on to a great future.

– Central Hall,  November issue, 2011

Warm send-off to Editor-in-Chief HK Dua

Warm send-off to Editor-in-Chief HK Dua
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15
Outgoing Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune and member of the Rajya Sabha HK Dua was given a warm send-off by The Tribune management and staff at a function organised on the office premises here today.

The function was attended by, among others, members of the Tribune Trust, Justice SS Sodhi, Prof RP Bambah, new Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa, general manager Sanjay Hazari and editorial and administration staff.

Recalling the significant contribution of Dua in the field of journalism, Prof Bambah placed him in the league of illustrious editors of the likes of Kalinath Ray and Prem Bhatia who took The Tribune to great heights.

“The Trust had given him all editorial freedom and Dua measured up to the task efficiently,” he averred.

Dua took up public interest issues and established a good rapport with The Tribune readership and that is how the newspaper became Voice of the People, he said. Prof Bambah said Dua enjoyed a harmonious relationship with members of the staff.

“Dua’s nomination to the Rajya Sabha is another feather in his cap and the country will be benefited with his clear vision,” said Prof Bambah.

In his thanksgiving speech, Dua said his role remained the same, even as the podium had changed. “I am going to continue being with the voice of the people. As an Editor-in-Chief, I used to write editorials, now as a Member of Parliament, I would be speaking them. I will do justice to my duty.”

Dua also welcomed his successor Raj Chengappa and mentioned his achievements as a journalist and as an author of various books.