- Environmentalist Lokendra Thakkar spoke on “Environment, Journalism and Us” on PP’s birthday
Bhopal: “When we talk about sustainability, what is it. What is the most sustainable T-shirt. I think the most sustainable T-shirt is the one you have put on right now.” This was stated by environmentalist Lokendra Thakkar associated with EPCO (Environmental Planning and Coordination Organization). He was speaking on the topic “Environment, Journalism and Us” in a program organized on the occasion of the birthday of late Pushpendra Pal Singh (PP Sir).
Thakkar described Pal’s personality as environment friendly and said that he used to take care of sustainable living even in his personal life. He said, “I have never seen Pushpendra ji in different clothes or branded clothes. We learn sustainable lifestyle from Pushpendra ji. He was a living legend, from whom we all should take inspiration.”
He recalled that Pushpendra ji also used paper properly. What is the meaning of back of the envelope calculation, people also used envelopes. The use of tissue paper has increased a lot in recent times, which was not seen earlier. Earlier we used to use clothes instead of tissues.
It has become difficult to do journalism impartially
Talking about technology in journalism, he said that regarding environment, I feel that there is a big challenge on both these subjects – environment and journalism. Reporting has become easy due to technology, but what you are writing has become very important. It has become difficult to do journalism impartially and a journalist has to work amidst many obstacles. It is challenging for journalism to maintain its identity. Earlier there was light reporting on environment but now there are a lot of news and in-depth. There has been a lot of progress in environmental reporting but there are still many challenges regarding reporting. It will have to be seen how it will improve with the help of technology.
In memories
PP Sir’s students, colleagues and family members were present in the program. They shared their memories related to him.
Senior journalist Pankaj Shukla, while remembering PP Sir, said that he was like Ajatashatru and he had no enemies. It is a different matter that he never considered anyone as an enemy. He taught us to understand and see letters and gave us the ability to recognize letters. Senior journalist Sandeep Kumar said that he had an amazing ability to read time. He used to work for others without any expectations and we should learn this quality of his. He explained to us how to move forward in the profession by ignoring our personal likes and dislikes. PP Sir’s younger sister Yogita Singh said that Bhaiya was our elder brother but he raised me like a daughter. He did not pay attention to his health and even when he had fever, he would say I am fine and get busy in his work. He said, “He may be my brother but now I feel that he had some different power, as if he was Vivekananda.”
