Celebrating 200 Years of Hindi Journalism: A Tribute by Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently celebrated the bicentennial of Hindi journalism at a festival in New Delhi. He highlighted the historical significance of Hindi journalism in shaping national consciousness and its role during the freedom struggle. Scindia unveiled a commemorative postage stamp and emphasized the increased responsibilities of journalists in the age of AI and misinformation. The event gathered numerous esteemed journalists and intellectuals, marking a significant moment in the history of Indian media. Discover more about the contributions of Hindi journalism and its impact on society.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 30, 2026, 20:25 IST

Honoring Two Centuries of Hindi Journalism

New Delhi. On Saturday, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Union Minister for Communications and Development of the Northeast Region, participated in the 'Hindi Journalism Bicentennial Festival' held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts in New Delhi. During this event, he paid homage to the 200 glorious years of Hindi journalism by unveiling a commemorative postage stamp, a first-day cover, and the book titled 'Hindi Journalism: A 200-Year Epic' published by the postal department.

Hindi Journalism: A Vital Force in Nation Building

In his address, Scindia emphasized that Hindi journalism has transcended mere news reporting; it has played a pivotal role in shaping India's national consciousness, the freedom struggle, social awakening, and the promotion of democratic values. He noted that the publication of 'Udant Martand' by Pandit Jugal Kishore Shukla in 1826 gave a voice to Indian society and ignited a flame of national awareness that continues to guide society today.

Journalism as a Catalyst for Awakening During the Freedom Struggle

Scindia remarked that during the freedom struggle, Hindi journalism served as a powerful medium for public awakening. Newspapers like Lokmanya Tilak's 'Kesari', Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi's 'Pratap', and Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya's 'Abhyuday' infused new energy into national interest and public consciousness. He asserted that journalism in India is not merely a profession but a movement for nation-building.

Increased Responsibility in the Age of AI

Addressing the challenges of the current era, Scindia pointed out that with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), fake news, deepfakes, and misleading information, the responsibilities of journalism have intensified. He stated that identifying truth amidst news is the greatest challenge today, and in such times, credible, impartial, and fact-based journalism is the strongest pillar of democracy.

Commemorative Postage Stamp as a Tribute to Intellectual Heritage

During the event, Scindia described the commemorative postage stamp and first-day cover as a tribute to the illustrious tradition of Hindi journalism over the past two centuries. He highlighted that this is an opportunity to honor India's intellectual heritage and the tradition of public awakening that has consistently provided direction to society.

Acknowledging the Efforts of Key Contributors

Scindia also recognized the significant contributions of Ram Bahadur Rai, the chairman of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, and Vijaydatt Shridhar, the founder-director of the Madhav Rao Sapre Museum, for their roles in the successful organization of this historic event. He expressed that the glorious saga of 200 years of Hindi journalism will continue to inspire future generations and pave the way for ideas and nation-building.

A Gathering of Esteemed Journalists and Scholars

The event was attended by a large number of senior journalists, editors, literary figures, educators, and intellectuals from across the country.