SJA to Develop Avenues for Financial Empowerment of Senior Journalists: Shrikrishna Ayachit

Xtreme News India   25-10-2026 19:24:08   158930460

SJA to Develop Avenues for Financial Empowerment of Senior Journalists: Shrikrishna Ayachit

Senior Journalist Association Holds Enthusiastic ‘Manthan’ Programme in Mumbai

Mumbai (Correspondent): An association dedicated to the welfare of senior journalists must work towards creating opportunities for their financial empowerment, and it is essential for journalists themselves to explore avenues for improving their financial security, said Shrikrishna Ayachit, senior journalist with United News of India (UNI) and Mumbai Regional President of the Senior Journalist Association (SJA).

He was speaking at the association’s Vichar Manthan (Brainstorming and Deliberation) programme held in Mumbai on Wednesday, October 21. SJA National President Dr. Jaipal Patil was present on the occasion.

Those who shared their views included SJA Trustee and National Vice President Milind Vaidya; Founder Trustee and National General Secretary Sanjaykumar Joshi; National Treasurer Chandrakant Kamble; Director of Education and Development Professor Bhushan Ozarde; Director of Innovation and Development Shirish Shivangikar; Advisor Advocate Onkar Mane; member Sandeep Pawar; North Maharashtra Regional President Yashwantrao Pavase; North Maharashtra Regional General Secretary Sunil Gite; Nashik District President Dr. Shyamsundar Zhalke; Raigad District President Patil; Konkan-based entrepreneur Santosh Patil; and Asif Shaikh from Ahilyanagar.

Office-bearers from various districts and a large number of senior journalist members attended the programme.

Financial Independence Is Essential for Journalists: Shrikrishna Ayachit

Speaking at the programme, Ayachit said, “The numerous problems faced by journalists have remained unresolved for years. Journalists must strengthen their own financial resources. It is encouraging that the association is making efforts in this direction. There are several opportunities in the printing industry and related sectors that can be explored through the association.”

National-Level Journalists’ Welfare Corporation Should Be Established

SJA Trustee and National Vice President Milind Vaidya said he had advocated the establishment of a dedicated Journalists’ Welfare Corporation to address the problems faced by journalists. He added that the association had begun pursuing this demand with the Central Government.

“The Senior Journalist Association is not merely an organisation; it is a large community and a family. While working for senior journalists and non-journalistic media employees, we must find permanent solutions to end the neglect they face at the government level. Otherwise, the fourth pillar of democracy could eventually become a thing of the past,” he said.

Vaidya emphasised that journalists should be able to demand their rightful entitlements from the Central and State governments rather than having to plead for assistance.

“There must be a national-level Journalists’ Welfare Corporation, and experienced senior journalists should be appointed to it,” he suggested.

Association Committed to Transparent SJA Administration

While reviewing the association’s activities, Founder Trustee and National General Secretary Sanjaykumar Joshi said the organisation was working at the national level for the welfare of senior journalists and non-journalistic media employees.

He said the association provided membership opportunities to eligible media professionals working in print, electronic and online media, including those with at least 12 years of experience.

Joshi outlined several issues the association was pursuing, including press accreditation, healthcare facilities, rest houses in cities such as Mumbai and Pune, affordable homeownership for journalists, and uniform honorary financial assistance for senior journalists across the country.

He also announced plans to introduce educational and skill-development programmes for journalists’ children.

“These initiatives will include journalism courses, industry-oriented skill training, startup guidance and computer training through universities and other reputed institutions. Preparations for launching these programmes have reached the final stage,” he said.

Joshi further explained that the association was exploring initiatives to help senior journalists establish additional sources of income.

“Some preliminary initiatives are being undertaken through organisations such as those associated with alkaline water and SBI Life, along with other institutions. The objective is to provide meaningful financial support to senior journalists so that they can maintain their dignity in society and enhance their standing within their own families,” he said.

He also emphasised that the association was committed to maintaining complete transparency in its administration and activities at every level.

International Opportunities in the Printing Industry

Shirish Shivangikar, SJA Director of Innovation and Development and Pune District Secretary, shared his experience regarding the growing international opportunities in the printing industry.

He said opportunities were available in countries such as Kenya, Mongolia and South Africa for printing, proofreading, translation and related services through government-linked and other institutional channels.

“Several organisations in Pune are already undertaking such international assignments. I am also taking up work through international institutions. These initiatives can open doors to a wide range of opportunities and projects in the printing sector,” he said.

Educational Facilities to Be Launched Soon

Professor Bhushan Ozarde, SJA Director of Education and Development, outlined the association’s proposed educational initiatives.

He said an educational centre was being established at Nigdi Pradhikaran in Pimpri-Chinchwad and that various courses would be launched shortly.

He appealed to journalists to take advantage of these educational opportunities for their children.

Drought Casts a Shadow Over Rural Journalism

Yashwantrao Pavase, President of the association’s North Maharashtra region, expressed concern over the decline of print journalism and called for concerted efforts to preserve it.

“Rural areas are currently facing a serious drought situation. Newspaper circulation and printing have declined, while advertising revenues have also fallen. As a result, journalists are facing considerable difficulties. In these challenging circumstances, the Senior Journalist Association is emerging as a source of support and reassurance for rural journalists,” he said.

North Maharashtra Regional Secretary Sunil Gite also highlighted the difficulties confronting journalism in drought-affected rural areas. He supported the demand for the establishment of a dedicated Journalists’ Welfare Corporation by the government.

Dr. Shyamsundar Zhalke, SJA Nashik District President, said efforts were underway to increase membership and that the response to the membership registration drive had been encouraging.

Santosh Patil, an entrepreneur associated with the association’s Konkan region, announced that alkaline water would be made available at affordable rates to journalists in Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.

He also assured support and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in launching startups.

SJA Working to Secure Better Opportunities for Senior Journalists

Following the discussions, SJA National President Professor Dr. Jaipal Patil reviewed the activities being undertaken by the association in various districts of Maharashtra.

He said the association was committed to enhancing the dignity and welfare of senior journalists by addressing issues such as pensions, press accreditation, healthcare, housing and skill-development opportunities for their children.

“Efforts are being made at the government level to secure housing and pension benefits for journalists, following the example of Kerala. The association is also working to develop opportunities for journalists to become distributors of alkaline water, which is being made available at affordable rates for journalists’ children and families,” he said.

Dr. Patil added that the association had opened offices in Mumbai and Pune, while an educational institute was being established in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

He appealed to journalists to take advantage of these initiatives and actively participate in the association’s welfare and development programmes.

Mumbai Office Inauguration Postponed

The inauguration of the Senior Journalist Association’s Maharashtra State Office in Mumbai was scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026, and was to be performed by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

A large number of journalists and office-bearers from across Maharashtra had gathered for the occasion.

However, just as Deputy Chief Minister Shinde was arriving at the venue, he received a call from Rashtrapati Bhavan and had to travel to New Delhi unexpectedly to meet President Droupadi Murmu.

Consequently, the inauguration ceremony was postponed.

Deputy Chief Minister Shinde has informed the association that a fresh date convenient to him would be communicated shortly.

National-Level Convention Rescheduled to January 6

The Senior Journalist Association had initially planned to organise a state-level convention in Pune on November 16, 2026, to mark National Press Day.

However, during the Vichar Manthan programme, participants discussed the prevailing drought conditions in Maharashtra and the difficulties faced by rural communities in securing drinking water.

Following these deliberations, the association decided to reschedule the proposed convention to January 6, 2027, on the occasion of Darpan Day, which commemorates the beginning of Marathi journalism.

Members will be informed separately about the arrangements and programme details.

Meanwhile, to mark National Press Day on November 16, the association has decided to organise a gathering of its members at Sambari in Raigad district. The meeting will focus on reviewing issues concerning press accreditation and honorary financial assistance for senior journalists.

The association expects the gathering to help consolidate its efforts to address the long-standing concerns of senior journalists and strengthen its initiatives for their welfare and financial security.