Media should refrain from malicious reporting: Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday asked the media to refrain from malicious reporting and said it should play an important role in nation-building and creating social harmony.
Media had played a constructive role in the past and should refrain from indulging in malicious reporting and character assassination as it ruins the future of the concerned persons and also creates conflicts and disharmony, he said.
The media should play an important role in building the nation, resolving conflicts and creating social harmony, the CM added. He was speaking at the 46th Foundation Day of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) here.
"Student life should be disciplined and focused on studies to gain knowledge and wisdom which should be reflected in their actions later in the life while the teaching should be a mission to make the country strong and progressing," he said.
Mischief should be dealt with strictly and after issuing two warnings to such anti-social elements, who are bent upon vitiating the academic atmosphere and damaging public property, they should be shown the doors forever, he said.
Stressing on the need for dedicated and joint efforts by both the students and staff of the university to ensure quality education essential for building a strong and vibrant nation, Singh said the onus of shaping the future of the young brains and forming healthy societies lies on the teachers.
"Students should not mix politics with education as it leads to violence and creates an atmosphere of insecurity and fear amongst the students," he said.
Referring to the progress made by the state, the Chief Minister said Himachal is not only marching ahead in higher education but has also excelled in women education and number of girls in colleges was far more than boys.
The Chief Minister said that there always existed cordial relations between different political parties irrespective of their ideologies but the trend has been changed by few opportunists in the opposition, which was not in good taste.
"We need to be united on all issues of development of the state and for taking the state to achieve new heights," he said.
HPU Vice Chancellor, Prof ADN Bajpai demanded an international level hostel for the University campus and reemployment of the retired teaching faculty for a year or two besides more power to take independent decisions.