- GJU to hold meetings at the district level to understand the problems being faced by the journalists and take up the same with Gujarat government and the Centre to get efficacious remedy
- A national-level convention will be held in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad soon
- The need of the hour is unity among the journalists to protect their rights and get time-bound justice
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, APRIL 6
Gujarat Journalists Union (GJU), the largest and the oldest body of journalists in Gujarat, on Wednesday unanimously elected BR Prajapati as president for the eighth consecutive term.
GJU held elections for the post of president, four vice-presidents, general secretary, two joint secretaries, treasurer, office secretary and executive committee members for a three-year term viz 2025 to 2027.
The elections to GJU, which in the past played a significant role in the formation and implementation of wage board for journalists, are being held regularly once in three years.
“At a time when journalists are facing new challenges, GJU needs to be reactivated and massive membership drive should be launched to enlist more journalists. The GJU will enroll journalists from all three media — print, electronics and digital. In view of the fresh threats posed by contract journalism, increasing commercialization of media, technology upgradation, impending entry of foreign media, increasing attacks on journalists and closure of small newspapers, GJU will be strengthened to meet the challenges,” said president-elect BR Prajapati.
“The union will further pursue the pension and other welfare measures with the state government to its logical end. Youngsters will be groomed well to lead the union,” added Prajapati.
The other office-bearers unanimously elected were Jagdishbhai Brhmbhat (Gandhinagar), Dr. Nikhil Shah (Ahmedabad), Nitin Khambholja (Dakor-Central Gujarat), Jayesh Vyas (Mehsana-North Gujarat)- vice-presidents; Natwarlal Bhatt (Kadi, Mehsana)-general secretary, Nilesh Vora-treasurer; Vinay Pandya, R Manickvasagam-joint secretaries and Jagdish Mewa-office secretary.
After the installation of the office bearers, it was decided that meetings would be held at the district level to understand the problems being faced by the journalists and take up the same with Gujarat government and the Centre to get efficacious remedy.
President B.R. Prajapati said, “A national-level convention will be held in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad soon. It will take up issues like one nation one pension for journalists, formation of a new wage board, enhancing the retirement age and various welfare measures. The GJU had already submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Union Labour Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya in this regard. The need of the hour is unity among the journalists to protect their rights and get time-bound justice.”
