65% of video consumption in rural India: Smriti Irani
New Delhi, April 27: An average Indian spends 200 minutes a day on mobile apps and 65 per cent of video consumption the country is from rural areas, said Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday.
In the backdrop of latest data, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister called upon the media and entertainment industry to think about new things that can be offered to consumers.
Speaking at the 69th valedictory session of Development Journalism Course at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication here, Irani said that times had changed and the journalist was no longer the last word on a given piece of news.
"Things have changed from the time when editor had the last word on the narrative. Now consumer also decides on the narrative and asks about the source of information. In this age of data exploding from every nook and corner, many would google every piece of information, and therefore, it is important to be credible," Irani said.
The Minister said the video consumption in rural areas was set to grow further in the days ahead, according to an official release.
"An average Indian spends 200 minutes a day on mobile apps and 65 per cent of video consumption in our country is only from rural areas and is slated to grow further. In this scenario, the media and entertainment industry should think about what new things can be offered to the consumers," the release quoted her as saying.
Irani announced a scholarship of Rs 25,000 in commemoration of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay for the people of Indian origin who did exemplary work in development journalism, and awarded certificates to 25 development journalism students from 16 countries.
On the occasion, she also inaugurated National Media Faculty Development Center on the IIMC Campus. She launched ECHO Newsletter, Samachar Madhyam and Communicator magazines.
The Minister stressed on developing communication at the grassroots.
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Medical tests, vaccination for Haj pilgrims to be completed by March 28
Bengaluru: Health and Family Welfare Services Commissioner Gurudatta Hegde has directed officials to complete medical examinations and vaccination for pilgrims travelling for Haj this year by March 28.
In a circular issued to the Director of the Medical Education Department, he stated that the District RCH Officer has been designated as the nodal officer to complete all related activities as per the Standard Operating Procedure. The District Health Officer concerned will oversee overall monitoring and coordination of the programme.
The Commissioner has instructed deans and directors of medical colleges, district surgeons and medical superintendents to extend necessary cooperation to ensure smooth conduct of the medical examinations. Medical colleges have also been asked to deploy specialist doctors from their institutions to assist in the medical screening teams for Haj pilgrims.
Hospitals participating in the process must submit details of the specialist teams involved in the examinations and the schedule of health camps organised for the pilgrims. They have also been directed to update the daily progress of the activities on the website https://hphis.ehospital.nic.in/ for monitoring and review.
Officials have been asked to make necessary arrangements in view of the 3,991 Haj pilgrims in Bengaluru who are required to undergo medical screening. Facilities for the examinations have been arranged at Victoria Hospital, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute (Bowring Hospital), K.C. General Hospital, Jayanagar General Hospital, Sir C.V. Raman General Hospital, K.R. Puram General Hospital and Yelahanka General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Karnataka State Haj Committee president Zulfikar Ahmed Khan said that medical examination camps are being organised at Haj Bhavan until March 16. As per the directions of the Saudi Arabian government, all Haj pilgrims must undergo mandatory medical screening.
Pilgrims will first undergo general medical check-ups at Haj Bhavan, and those requiring further tests will be referred to government hospitals based on doctors’ recommendations. He also said arrangements have been made for medical examinations at seven government hospitals in Bengaluru for Haj pilgrims.
