CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: On the historic occasion of the completion of 200 years of Hindi journalism, a three-day national symposium titled “Pranam! Udant Martand” will be held from May 8 to 10, 2026, at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal. The event is a joint initiative of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication and Veer Bharat Nyas. The inauguration will take place on May 8 at 10:30 AM by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. The keynote address will be delivered by senior journalist and former Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar, and the session will be chaired by Acharya Mithileshanandini Sharan (Ayodhya).
This Media Mahakumbh will witness participation from over 60 journalists, editors, writers, anchors, thinkers, academicians, and media experts from 9 states and various Indian languages. Prominent participants include Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, advocate and author J. Sai Deepak, senior journalists J. Nandakumar, Vishnu Prakash Tripathi, Nagma Sahar, Syed Ansari, Uday Sinha, Amitabh Agnihotri, Jayanti Ranganathan, Dr. Brajesh Kumar Singh, Prof. Kripashankar Chaube, Prof. Soma Bandyopadhyay, Vikas Mishra, Prafulla Ketkar, Pratyush Ranjan, Dr. C. Jayashankar Babu, Shailesh Pandey, Hitesh Shankar, Prateek Trivedi, Rashid Kidwai, Anil Pandey, Dilip Sharma, Sharad Gupta, Salman Ravi, and Durgesh Singh, writer of Gullak.
Discussion sessions will cover topics such as television journalism in the digital era, the ideological foundation of Indian journalism, India and media in the post-globalization period, the making of a new India, and the national voice of Indian languages. On this occasion, an exhibition showcasing the glorious 200-year journey of journalism will also be organized. Additionally, eight senior cartoonists from across the country will present a live cartoon show.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Vijay Manohar Tiwari, stated that this three-day national symposium will provide a platform for serious discussions on the values, challenges, and future possibilities of Hindi journalism while commemorating its historic journey. The event is being supported by Bharat Bhavan, Dattopant Thengadi Research Institute, and the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology.
Launch of Two Books:
On this occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will release the book “Makhan Ke Lal”, based on the experiences of university students, and “Cartoon Katha.” Special editions of the university’s experimental newspapers “Vikalp,” “Pahal,” and “Abhyuday” will also be unveiled. Additionally, three documentaries created by electronic media students will be released.
Cultural programs will be held daily from 7:00 PM as part of the समारोह.
