PIB’s ‘Varta’ Workshop Attempts Bridging Media-Government Gap in Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR: In a bid to strengthen communication between media professionals and government institutions, the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Srinagar, organised a day-long media workshop titled Varta, bringing together senior journalists and officials for an open dialogue on responsible journalism and the dissemination of public welfare schemes.

The workshop was inaugurated by Nitish Rajora, Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), J&K, who emphasised the crucial role of media in upholding democratic values, especially in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir. “In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, the responsibility on journalists is greater than ever,” Rajora said, calling for greater coordination between media and government bodies.

Qazi Salman, Director, PIB Srinagar, highlighted India’s transformative progress over the last decade, noting the role of government communication in showcasing inclusive growth. “From doubling the GDP to expanding healthcare access to over 50 crore citizens, and empowering our farmers with modern tools and market access, these are milestones of a collective national movement,” he said, adding that such achievements must be communicated responsibly to reflect the nation’s spirit of resilience and unity.

Organised at a time of growing concerns around misinformation, the Varta workshop served as a platform for dialogue between government communicators and the press, covering critical sectors such as health and agriculture.

Dr Waseem Akram, Operations Manager at the State Health Agency, J&K, presented key updates on the Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY and PMJAY Sehat schemes. Since 2018, over 17 lakh treatments worth Rs 3,120 crore have been provided under the scheme in the Union Territory, with Golden Cards issued to 95 per cent of eligible families. He noted the increasing role of private sector hospitals, now numbering over 130 in J&K, and the introduction of UT-level portability, monitoring and grievance systems.

The agriculture session was led by Dr Amal Saxena and Dr Liyaqat Ali Chowdhury from SKUAST–Kashmir, who presented the progress of the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyaan, a nationwide outreach campaign aimed at educating farmers on government schemes, drone-based farming, climate-resilient agriculture, high-density orchards, and real-time agro-advisory tools. The campaign has made direct contact with farmers across the Union Territory, encouraging the adoption of modern practices and linking traditional sectors with cutting-edge innovations.

Each presentation was followed by interactive sessions where media professionals raised questions, shared concerns, and provided feedback, strengthening the two-way communication that PIB aims to promote.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks and a reaffirmation of PIB Srinagar’s commitment to enabling informed, transparent, and accountable public discourse through media partnerships.

Varta, which means dialogue, is part of PIB’s broader strategy to foster mutual trust and understanding between the media and the government, ensuring that the public remains well-informed through fact-based and responsible journalism.