Bhopal, April 15: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has called upon the media to create a congenial atmosphere for public welfare and development. Chouhan was speaking after performing Bhoomi Pujan for development works taken up in the second phase of the Press Club, Indore here today. Under this phase, 18 rooms would be constructed on the lines of INS. Similarly, art galleries are being developed in the old auditorium of the Press Club. The Minister for Public Works Department Kailash Vijaywargiya; Mayor Dr Umashashi Sharma; chairman of Indore Development Authority Madhu Verma and MLA Mahendra Hardia were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister further said that all out efforts are being made for the welfare of people and development of the state. Participation of the people is being ensured in the formulation of schemes in consonance with the spirit of democracy. Sincere efforts are being made to properly address and solve the problems of all sections of society. Cooperation of all sections would be taken in making Madhya Pradesh the leading state of the country, he added.

Rs 20 lakh each would be provided for the second phase of the Press Club by Indore Municipal Corporation and Indore Development Authority while Rs. ten lakh would be provided by the state government. He assured of more funds if need arises.

Kailash Vijaywargiya hoped that the Indore Press Club would continue to carry out such works in future.

Mayor Dr Umashashi Sharma said that the Press has always extended full cooperation for development of Indore. Madhu Verma assured of every possible cooperation. Editor in Chief of the Nai Dunia Shri Abhay Chhajalani called upon all newspapers to work unitedly for development of the city and state. He referred to the cooperation extended by the respective governments for construction of Press Club buildings in Mumbai, Gandhi Nagar, Raipur and Lucknow.

Ms Pankhudi Mishra of Bharosa Trust informed about the activities of the trust. President of the Press Club Shri Praveen Khariwal delivered the welcome address. The Chief Minister felicitated the chairman of Bharosa Trust Sharad Dosi and the engineer of the Press Club Shri Arun Tiwari, who has completed the construction of the Press Club within stipulated time limit. Managing Editor of the Choutha Sansar Surendra Sanghavi; former Presidents of the Press Club Omi Khandelwal, Satish Joshi, Shashindra Jaldhari, Jeevan Sahu and other journalists in a large number were present on the occasion. Manohar Limbodia conducted the function and the General Secretary of the Press Club Shri Anna Durai proposed a vote of thanks.