Towards a better world
The Internet has a vast free flow of information everywhere. Often they are unedited but the readers have the freedom to take information and read the edited version. This is the power of information which we all have started feeling now. We have accepted this today, but Marshall McLuhan, the Canadian communication theorist, realised this in the 60’s itself. Perhaps, that’s why he said, “The medium is the message”. Marshall’s statement states the importance of the information system. Today is the time for it to become even more powerful and the revolution in communication has made this possible.
The challenges of the new century are unique in this perspective. In this century, the information system or information technology is the regulator of every war; it is obvious that in the new century, the fight will be with the power of information, not with weapons. The desperation of Western countries affected by a recessionary economy to look for new markets and the rise of consumers with purchasing power in third world countries are the reasons that help to understand this view very clearly. This commercial compulsion of Western countries has also become a catalytic element of the communication revolution. America has captured the Latin countries economically and culturally and has made them increasingly dependent on it and the efforts are on to sweep the entire world. The international communication agencies, advertising agencies, public opinion organizations, commercial organizations, printed and audio-visual materials, international telecommunications companies, international security agencies have all been supportive of increased dominance. But remember, information can no longer be a hostage to the powerful Western countries. A new world is being created, which has democratized information. We too feel this power. In such a situation, it is necessary to have systematic and scientific study of communications and information and it should be developed as a serious subject of education. It is a challenge to present such diverse and dispersed knowledge systematically as the mode of communication includes many subjects like sociology, psychology, technology, information technology, literature, art and language.
Keeping these objectives in mind, three decades ago the Government of Madhya Pradesh established the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University for Journalism and Communication. Its main objectives were to encourage education and research in the field of media and information technology. By gradually refining our courses, we have today become an important centre for communication and information technology education. In this journey of three decades our Director Generals, Vice-Chancellors and qualified professors have made this university a place for innovations and empirical experiments. This is the reason that today our students are in a leadership role in media-communication organizations, voluntary organizations, information-technology, entertainment communication, and media-education organizations of the country and abroad. Named after Makhanlal Chaturvedi, an eminent Hindi Poet, Journalist, Editor and Freedom fighter, this university is the torchbearer of the values established by him, where patriotism is paramount. The virtues of Dada Makhanlal Chaturvedi, who was a follower of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, are truly our strength and inspiration. Associating with his name connects us with the values of the freedom movement, in which the spirit of Indianness, Bharatbodh, development and promotion of Indian languages is most important. Our mission is to work with all sections of the society for their education and social justice. The university, with its liberal, comprehensive and inclusive thinking, made its meaningful interventions in the intellectual world through the organization of several national and international research seminars. The blessings of many prominent intellectuals through their presence and interaction have always been a great source of strength for us. Shri Shankar Dayal Sharma, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati, Prof Yashpal, Shri Prabhash Joshi, Shri Rajendra Mathur, Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Shri Ajit Bhattacharjee, Shri Bhairappa, Shri Balashauri Reddy, Shri Namvar Singh, Shri Jayant Vishnu Narlikar are among many such luminaries.
The aim of our university is to create a beautiful world by developing better human beings filled with compassion and humanity. To achieve these goals, our university inculcates social skills among its students through various cultural, literary, intellectual and sports activities. By doing this, we not only prepare them for their jobs but also make them warriors to win the battles of life. Our students develop an inclusive approach and work together to build a beautiful world. It is the responsibility of educational institutes to instil humanity and values in the students and we adhere to it.
You will realize its importance and depth only by being a part of our campus. Walk a few steps with us and feel it yourself.
Best regards
(Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi)
Vice-Chancellor