The Toughest Time for Unbiased Journalism: Vipin Gupta

Udaipur: Today marks one of the most challenging periods for unbiased journalism. Although no state of emergency has been declared, journalism is under immense pressure, demanding extraordinary courage to confront. These thoughts were expressed by Vipin Gupta, Founder-Editor of the Delhi-based newspaper National Express, during a discussion on the book Sach Ka Saamna, written by Mahaveer Samta Sandesh’s Chief Editor, Himmat Seth. Gupta, the chief guest of the event, described Seth as a guiding light of journalism who inspires many.

On this occasion, Gupta presented his book, Gandhi Darshan Aur Vichar, to Seth and honored him with a shawl and a garland of hand-spun cotton.

Presiding over the program, Dr. Sudha Choudhary, Professor of Philosophy at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, remarked that Himmat Seth practices what he preaches—a rare trait in the current era. Special guest Anil Jain, a journalist from News Click, Indore, stated that public-interest journalism is a daunting task, yet Seth has been dedicatedly pursuing it for 35 years. Jain described Sach Ka Saamna as a true reference book for journalism.

Dr. Sarvat Khan, an Urdu author and President of Samta Samvad Manch, highlighted the book's wide-ranging themes, while Professor Hemendra Chandalia, Editor of Mahaveer Samta Sandesh, welcomed the attendees and explained that the book compiles editorials published between 2008 and 2018.

State Secretary of AIPWA, Prof. Farhat Bano, discussed the book's various aspects and praised Seth’s commitment to public issues. CPI(ML) State Secretary Shankar Lal Choudhary spoke about Seth's fearless journalism, which began during India’s era of liberalization, privatization, and globalization, emphasizing his active participation in movements and advocacy for public causes.

The event witnessed Seth being honored with a shawl and garland by dignitaries such as Prof. Pramila Singhvi, Shantilal Bhandari, Prof. Farhat Bano, Prof. Hemendra Chandalia, and his family members.

In his concluding remarks, Seth expressed gratitude to everyone present. The gathering was attended by CPM District Secretary Rajesh Singhvi, Janata Dal's Ramchandra Salvi, Prof. L.R. Patel, Dr. Meenakshi Jain, Dr. Chandradev Ola, senior journalist Jaspal Singh Makkar, Rajesh Verma, MCP(I)'s Ramchandra Sharma, Leeladevi Sharma, CPI’s Mahesh Sharma, Mazdoor Ekta Kendra’s D.S. Paliwal, advocate Ramesh Nandwana, journalist Govind Od, and several other prominent citizens.