Narendra Modi in Chennai highlights: Speech on editorial freedom, meet with Karunanidhi key highlights from PM's visit

Narendra Modi springs a surprise, visits DMK chief Karunanidhi at his residence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday called on DMK President M. Karunanidhi and enquired about his health. After meeting Modi, Karunanidhi, seated on a wheelchair, appeared near the door and waved to DMK cadres assembled outside his house. 

#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi meets former #TamilNadu CM M Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai pic.twitter.com/RPQdoNDqid

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

Modi on Monday said that editorial freedom should be used in public interest and urged the newspapers to devote space to increase awareness about climate change.

Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebrations of Tamil newspaper Daily Thanthi at the Madras University Centenary Auditorium, Modi said lot of things happen around the world and the editors decide what is important to be published in their newspapers.

He said: “Editorial freedom should be used wisely and in public interest.”

DMK chief M Karunanidhi waves at supporters from his residence in Chennai’s Gopalapuram

DMK Chief M Karunanidhi waves at supporters from his residence in Gopalapuram, Chennai @thenewsminute pic.twitter.com/khqdJM9UT9

— Priyanka Thirumurthy (@priyankathiru) November 6, 2017

When MK Stalin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi

When Stalin finally got to meet the Prime Minister. pic.twitter.com/C7Phhfy7GE

— Priyanka Thirumurthy (@priyankathiru) November 6, 2017

Modi visit to Karunanidhi’s home was a courtesy call, sources tell media

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now left DMK chief Karunanidhi’s residence, reports said. Sources have told News18 that this was a courtesy call, as the former chief minister was not keeping well.

MK Stalin tweets wishing Dina Thanthi more than “100 years of circulation”

I wish Dinathanthi, a publication that spreads Tamil in every direction, sees more than 100 years of circulation and continue to give a voice to Tamil and democracy

திசையெங்கும் தமிழ் பரப்பும் @dinathanthi நூற்றாண்டுகள் கடந்தும் தமிழினத்திற்கும்,சமத்துவத்திற்கும் குரல் கொடுக்க வாழ்த்துகள் #DailyThanthi75

— M.K.Stalin - தமிழ்நாட்டை தலைகுனிய விடமாட்டேன் (@mkstalin) November 6, 2017

PM Modi arrives at DMK chief Karunanidhi's residence. Greeted by Stalin, Kanimozhi and Durai Murugan. @thenewsminute #ModiMeetsKarunanidhi

— Anna Isaac (@anna_isaac) November 6, 2017

Stalin welcomes Modi with a big smile and red shawl

TV footage showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi with working president of DMK MK Stalin outside party chief M Karunanidhi’s residence in Chennai’s Gopalapuram. Footage showed a visibly-ecstatic Stalin, welcoming the prime minister with a wide smile and a red shawl. 

The meeting between Modi and Karunanidhi was reportedly for 10 minutes setting off speculation of a possible alliance ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The PM’s visit comes amid a power tussle within the AIADMK and a day before an “important political announcement” by actor Kamal Haasan.

Modi assured “all assistance” for rain-ravaged Tamil Nadu

Speaking at the Dina Thanthi event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured all assistance to the rain-ravaged state in tackling the fallout of the heavy downpour in the capital and some districts, including Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur. “I assure all possible support to the Tamil Nadu government to tackle the situation due to rains,” Modi said. The prime minister expressed grief over the rain-related deaths.

Media should focus on stories about Indians and their stories, says Modi

“A lot of the media discourse today revolves around politics. However, India is more than just us politicians. It is the 125 crore Indians, which make India what it is. I would be happy to see media focus a lot more, on their stories, and their achievements.”

Can media devote just a little space to report on climate change?: Modi

“Natural calamities seem to be occurring with increasing frequency across the world. Can media take a lead in the battle against climate change? Can media devote just a little space to report or increase awareness about what we can do to combat climate change?”

Healthy competition among credible media platforms is also good for the health of our democracy: Modi

“Today, every citizen analyses and attempts to verify the news that comes to him through multiple sources. Media, therefore, must make an extra effort to maintain credibility. Healthy competition among credible media platforms is also good for the health of our democracy.”

Media should be as responsible as the elected government or judiciary: Modi

“Even though media may be owned by private individuals, it serves a public purpose. As scholars say, it is an instrument to produce reform through peace, rather than by force. Hence, it has as much social accountability as the elected government or the judiciary”

Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest: Modi

“Editorial freedom must be used wisely in public interest. The freedom to write, does not include the freedom to be ‘factually incorrect’. Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘The press is called the Fourth Estate. It is definitely a power, but, to misuse that power is criminal.”

Modi’s speech focusses on importance of media’s ‘social responsibility’: Fake news, vernacular media

The role of newspapers published in regional languages remains as important today, as it was then: PM Narendra Modi in Chennai,Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/0DmDh0tu5d

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

It was to muzzle vernacular newspapers, that the Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878: PM Narendra Modi in Chennai

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

The then British Government was fearful of the Indian Vernacular Press: PM Narendra Modi in Chennai pic.twitter.com/b0noZOXa0S

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

In a broader context, media is a means of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy: PM pic.twitter.com/sVzdDakqXJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

WATCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends 75 years celebration of ‘Daily Thanthi’, Chennai

Modi addresses platinum anniversary celebration of Dina Thanthi 

Modi, addressing a huge gathering at the Madras University Centenary Hall. Rajinikanth was sitting amid the crowd as well. 

Hailing media as the fourth pillar of democracy, the prime minister stressed on the importance of vernacular media. The prime minister also spoke about the social accountability of the media. Modi said media’s responsibility is as important as that of the elected government.

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In a broader context, media is a means of transforming society. That is why we refer to the media as the fourth pillar of democracy: PM pic.twitter.com/sVzdDakqXJ

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

Modi will attend wedding of IAS officer’s daughter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Chennai on a one-day visit, will also attend the wedding of the daughter of TV Somanathan, a retired IAS officer who used to work for the PMO.

Modi to meet DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi at 12.30 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi at the latter’s Chennai residence at 12.30 pm today. Karunanidhi, 93, has been ailing since October after suffering a drug-induced allergy.

In pics: Narendra Modi being welcomed by Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister E Palaniswamy, and deputy CM O Panneerselvam

PM Sh @narendramodi being welcomed by Governor of TN,Sh Banwarilal Purohit,CM,Sh Edappadi K.Palaniswami &Depy CM,Sh O. Panneerselvam,Chennai pic.twitter.com/1z7jmAdDXH

— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 6, 2017

Modi assures Centre’s support and assistance for Tamil Nadu

Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured them of all assistance from the Centre with regard to situation arising due to heavy rain, floods in TN

— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2017

10,000 cops deployed at Marina

Narendra Modi will reach Madras University Centenary Hall at 10.30 am to preside over the 75th anniversary celebrations of Tamil daily ‘Dina Thanthi’, News Today reported. Banwarilal, Palaniswamy and Panneerselvam will be present at the function too.

As part of security measures, over 10,000 policemen have been posted in the city and traffic diversions have been made at Marina.

Palaniswamy, Panneerselvam will brief Modi on damages caused by rains

Chief Minister E Palaniswamy and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam are likely to brief Modi on the damages caused due to rains across Tamil Nadu and seek a relief amount. “Modi will then proceed to Madras University Centenary Hall at 10.30 am to preside over the 75th anniversary celebrations of Tamil daily Dina Thanthi, where Banwarilal, Palaniswamy and Panneerselvam would participate,” a report by NewsToday said.

Facing criticism over the handling of rains in Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister E Palaniswamy visited several water-logged parts of Chennai and its suburbs on Saturday , insisting that his government was working on a “war-footing”.

He was accompanied by his deputy O Panneerslevam and senior officials.

Prime minister’s Chennai visit comes as the city reels under heavy downpour. Chennai and neighbouring districts had a harrowing time last week when the North East Monsoons continued unabated resulting in several parts of Chennai and the state being inundated

The Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday told _Firstpost_ that the intensive rainfall patterns are likely to continue for the next three days. The downpour so far has claimed eight lives .

P Muralidhar Rao tweets about Modi-Karunanidhi meet

“During his visit to Tamil Nadu today, Modi will visit senior-most leader from the state and former chief mnister M Karunanidhi,” BJP national general secretary P Mualidhar Rao said in a tweet.

During his visit to Tamil Nadu today, PM Sh Narendra Modi ji will visit senior most leader from the state and former CM Sh M. Karunanidhi.

— P Muralidhar Rao (@PMuralidharRao) November 6, 2017

Modi and Karunanidhi will meet in Chennai today, BJP and DMK confirm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be meeting DMK President M Karunanidhi in Chennai today, both the BJP and the DMK said.

Modi is in Chennai today to attend the platinum jubilee function of a vernacular daily.