Today is National Press Day. The day, observed on 16th November, is symbolic of a free and responsible press. It was on this day the Press Council of India started functioning as a moral watchdog to ensure that the press maintain high standards and is not fettered by any influence or threats. <br/><br/>Today is also the Golden Jubilee of the Press Council. On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will confer excellence in journalism awards, including 'Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award' to veteran journalist S Nihal Singh. Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu and Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore will also attend the event in Delhi.<br/><br/>Delegation from a number of countries like Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka will attend the function, while Afghanistan and Bhutan are expected to be represented by their embassies since they do not have Press council. Pakistan is likely to skip the function.<br/><br/>In Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar, a day-long programme with the theme 'Role of media in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' has been organised on the occasion. Minister for Geology and Mining, Komlung Mossang, who was the Chief guest at the event, said Swachh bharat should not be limited to cleaning the garbages but cleaning the mind and way of thinking, and media has the potential to do it. <br/><br/>A shadow play on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was also organised on the occasion.<br/>The Him Kai Excellence in journalism Award 2016 was also given away in the categories of Investigative journalism, Human interest and Political.
