SJA Working to Seriously Address Issues of Senior Journalists and Non-Journalistic Employees: President Dr. Jaipal Patil

Xtreme News India   26-09-2026 17:43:12   39854642

SJA Working to Seriously Address Issues of Senior Journalists and Non-Journalistic Employees: President Dr. Jaipal Patil

Senior Journalist Association’s North Maharashtra Journalists and Non-Journalistic Employees’ Meet Held Enthusiastically in Shirdi

Shirdi (Correspondent) - There are several organisations working at the national and state levels for young working journalists. However, while journalists spend their entire lives in the profession solving the problems of others, they often cannot devote adequate attention to their own families. As a result, many face severe financial difficulties after retirement. There is hardly any organisation specifically working to address the problems of retired and senior journalists. This gap is now being addressed through the Senior Journalist Association (SJA). The organisation has become a ray of hope for senior journalists and non-journalistic employees, which gives us immense satisfaction, said Dr. Jaipal Patil, President of the Maharashtra unit of SJA, here on Thursday.

Dr. Patil was speaking at the North Maharashtra Divisional Meet organised in Shirdi by Yadavrao Pavase, President of the North Maharashtra division of SJA.

The meet was attended by Sanjaykumar Joshi, Maharashtra Secretary of SJA; Milind Vaidya, State Vice-President and Pune District President; Chandrakant Kamble, Pune City and District Secretary; senior journalist, editor and corporator from Chalisgaon Kishanrao Jorvekar; woman journalist and corporator Mrs. Aruna Jorvekar; senior journalist and sports commentator from Sangamner Kishorji Kalda; senior journalist from Sinnar Dr. Shyamsundar Zhalke; Sunil Gite and Niranjan Deshmukh from Akole; Nandlal Shinde; Sanjay Lad from Kopargaon, besides several senior journalists from Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Jalgaon, Dhule and Nandurbar.

On the occasion, appointment letters were handed over by Dr. Jaipal Patil to the office-bearers from North Maharashtra recommended by the organisation’s Core Committee and North Maharashtra President Yadavrao Pavase. The resolution was read out by Pune District Secretary Chandrakant Kamble, while Sanjaykumar Joshi and Milind Vaidya seconded the resolution.

Newly Appointed Office-Bearers - 

North Maharashtra Divisional Vice-President: Kishanrao Jorvekar

North Maharashtra Secretary: Sunil Gite

Nashik District President: Dr. Shyamsundar Zhalke

Ahilyanagar District President: Kishor Kalda

Ahilyanagar District Secretary: Sanjay Lad

The newly appointed office-bearers were felicitated by the organisation and the journalists present with bouquets, shawls and coconuts. The senior office-bearers of the organisation were also felicitated with shawls and coconuts.

In his keynote address, Dr. Jaipal Patil said, “The declining dignity and social standing of journalists is a matter of concern. Our organisation is not merely fighting to improve the economic and social status of journalists; it is also taking concrete action. We are helping the children of journalists obtain financial assistance from financial institutions for starting businesses. The organisation will soon undertake initiatives in Pimpri-Chinchwad relating to self-employment through industries such as alkaline water production, skill training for children of rural journalists, and courses in journalism and computers.”

He further said that arrangements for rest houses for journalists in cities such as Pune and Mumbai would begin within a few days and urged maximum journalists to take advantage of the facility.

Dr. Patil also informed the gathering that the organisation was holding discussions with the government regarding the introduction of government advertisements for small and medium-sized print and digital media organisations. He also shared his personal experiences of interactions ranging from the Prime Minister’s Office to the Chief Minister’s Office.

Earlier, Sanjaykumar Joshi, Maharashtra Secretary of SJA, spoke about journalists and non-journalistic employees working in the media, which is considered the fourth pillar of democracy, and the difficulties they face after retirement. He expressed concern that many senior journalists, despite living in difficult circumstances, have not even received basic accreditation cards.

He said that it was time to make both the Central and State governments aware that receiving an accreditation card is a right and entitlement of senior journalists. He said that the organisation would raise the issue with the concerned departments, ministers and the Chief Minister.

Joshi also briefed the gathering about the organisation’s initiatives aimed at addressing the serious economic, social and health-related problems faced by senior journalists and non-journalistic employees in the state.

He said, “The success of the organisation is becoming evident within a short period. Our initiative to provide financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh for medical treatment, including treatment for the wives of senior journalists, has received a strong response. Various initiatives are being undertaken for honourary remuneration, accreditation cards, travel concessions and financial assistance for journalists and non-journalistic employees. Within just two months, the membership of the organisation in Maharashtra has crossed 750.”

State Vice-President Milind Vaidya emphasised the need to further increase the organisation’s membership across the state and guided the newly appointed office-bearers and those present. He said, “To increase the membership from the present strength of more than 750, everyone should initially enrol at least five members. Each person should also take responsibility for reaching the organisation’s initiatives and programmes to as many journalists as possible. This will help improve the welfare and dignity of senior journalists.”

In his introductory remarks, Yadavrao Pavase, President of the North Maharashtra Division and convener of the meet, welcomed the state executive committee members and journalists present. He informed the gathering that separate meetings would be organised in the coming period for journalists from Jalgaon, Dhule and Nandurbar districts. He also highlighted the health and financial problems faced by journalists.

Kishanrao Jorvekar, the newly appointed North Maharashtra office-bearer, alleged that senior journalists were facing obstacles from the concerned committees and the government in obtaining accreditation cards. He demanded that accreditation cards be issued to all eligible senior journalists without discrimination and that senior journalists be treated with due respect by the government. He also demanded government advertisements for small and medium-sized digital and print media organisations. He shared his experiences of nearly 50 years in journalism.

Kishor Kalda, the newly appointed Ahilyanagar District President, brought a lively atmosphere to the gathering by presenting his experiences in the social, sports and film fields at the national and state levels in his characteristic style of shayari. He shared anecdotes involving several celebrities, including Hema Malini, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Gavaskar and Ajit Wadekar, and explained how he established himself in journalism in Sangamner.

He said that he had worked with various organisations during his career as a journalist and would now devote himself entirely to the Senior Journalist Association.

Dr. Shyamsundar Zhalke, the newly appointed Nashik District President, shared his 40 years of experience in journalism and highlighted various problems faced by journalists. Sanjay Lad and Sunil Gite also spoke about the problems of journalists and expressed hope that efforts would be made to resolve them through the organisation.

Chandrakant Kamble, Pune City and District Secretary of SJA, congratulated the newly appointed office-bearers and proposed a vote of thanks to the dignitaries and journalists who attended the meet.

At the conclusion, all those present expressed their determination to strengthen the Senior Journalist Association, Maharashtra, across the state from the holy land of Shirdi, the sacred abode of Shri Saibaba. They exchanged greetings and concluded the gathering.