CAAM third anniversary held
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CAAM third anniversary held |
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The Centre for Alternative Agricultural Media celebrated its third anniversary on November 30, 2003 at Sriranga of Sullia Taluk in Karnataka, India. CAAM annual awards for the best farm writings in Kannada and a special award to Vidyabodhini High School, Balila were presented on the occasion. Centre's novel initiative in farmer-friendly communication - a correspondence diploma course in farm journalism was also launched.
Karnataka Madhyama Academy President Mr. Arjuna Deva gave away the farm journalism awards. The awards were given in two categories - farmer section and general category. Mr. D.D. Bharamagoudra received the award in the farmer category for his article, 'Savayava Krishikana Krishi Anubhavagalu', published in Sahaja Saguvali. In the general section, Mr. Na. Karantha Peraje's article 'Harineera Talaku Manemane Belaku' and Dr. Karunakara's 'Krishiyindale Nemmadiya Baduku Saadhya', both published in Adike Patrike were selected for the award. Each award carried a cash prize of Rs. 2000 besides a citation and a parisara shilpa (bronze sculpture).
Mr. Arjuna Deva, in his address said, "Farmers are the only community who sell their produces at a rate lower than the production cost. Still we haven't recognised their contribution to the country's economy. Present system has put them at the receiving end. This has made them provide food to others at the cost of their life. As a result number of suicidal incidents among farmers is increasing every year. Though media is trying to reflect the situation, it is not doing justice. Its reports have not focused on the realities that have forced farmers to take such a decision. Media should understand its responsibility and consider issues related to farming seriously."
"I am glad that CAAM has taken up this task of training young and enthusiastic candidates in this direction. In the future, this might help in changing mainstream media's views on the concept of farm journalism," Mr. Arjuna Deva added. He inaugurated the one-year diploma course (in Kannada) by distributing identity cards to the candidates.
After receiving the award, award winners shared their views on the status of farm journalism and felt that the award has increased their responsibility. Mr. Bharamagoudra said, "Farmers should learn to cope with the changing situation - both in the field and in the society. Universities are not the one's who should take the decision, farmers themselves should do this. Only then we farmers can come out of the clutches of drought."
Vidyabodhini High School, Balila in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka received a special award for successfully adopting soil and water conservation methods in the school campus. The award was given by CAAM in collaboration with Jalakoota, Vaninagar. Presenting the award, Mr. K.S. Achyuthan, Director (News), Doordarshan, Bangalore said, "Present day media has neglected common man. Media programmes and advertisements encourage consumerism in the society. Globalisation and politics have occupied the space that should have been devoted to agriculture. Compartmentalisation in every walk of life has made people loose their hope. Our views on life should change. Then change is possible in the society."
Mr. Achyuthan congratulated Vidyabodhini High School for their commendable work in soil and water conservation which has become a model for other educational institutions in the state. Responding to the award, Head Master of the school Mr. B.V. Shagrithaya said that the award had given them a boost to carryout their work at a larger scale. The award carried a cash prize of Rs. 5000 and a citation.
Speaking on the importance of self-help journalism, CAAM team member and known journalist Mr. Shree Padre said, "Farmers should participate directly in the communication process. Farmer-friendly journalism is a concept which is very near to our life. Farmers, though belonging to different region, language and culture, their feelings are the same. They might think and practice differently but their experiences match. Keeping this in mind, we can say that the concept of self-help journalism and farmer-friendly journalism have a greater scope in the future."
Mr. Padre said, "The campaign on farmer-friendly journalism that was originated 15 years ago has spread in different directions. CAAM is an offshoot of the campaign and through its activities it has received international recognition. It has made farmer to farmer communication possible at the global level."
Speaking about the diploma course, Mr. Padre said, "Correspondence diploma programme in farm journalism is a unique initiative by CAAM. This is the first of its kind in the state. Such a course was much needed at the present situation, when the country has easily accepted globalisation, and privatisation of water. As the requirement is large at the present condition, this course might seem to be a small attempt. But a lot of hard work and vision has gone into it. Many times such small initiatives result in effective campaigns. I wish that this diploma will help us to put forward our indigenous knowledge, enhance farmer to farmer communication and face the problems of globalisation."
The diploma candidates were given a two-day training on the basics of farm journalism on November 29-30, 2003. Mr. Shree Padre, Mr. Addoor Krishna Rao, Dr. Niranjana Vanalli, Mr. Narendra Rai Derla, Mr. Shankar Saradka and Dr. Shivaram Pailoor were the resource persons.
Farm journalism awards were sponsored by Mr. Raghuram and Ms. Jyothsna Raghuram. Parisara shilpa was designed by known artist Mr. M.S. Moorthy. Special award to Vidyabodhini High School was sponsored by Divya - Rajesh - Sookthi.
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Farm journalism awards and the special award were presented in the name of late Pailoor Laxminarayana Rao who is one of the pioneers in Kannada farm journalism. He had published a book on beekeeping titled 'Jenunona Sakuvike' as early as 1935. In 1957 he also edited 'Madhuvana' a journal on epiculture which was one of the initial efforts in farm journalism.