Indus Valley Times

By Addanki Iswar R.

Malkangiri,15th December ,2023:-In an unprecedented move, the district-level Malyavant festival in Malkangiri faced a notable absence as no journalists attended the event on December 15, 2023. The journalistic community expressed its discontent, opting to boycott the festival in response to perceived neglect by the district administration.

The Malyavant festival, a significant cultural event in Malkangiri, traditionally garnered extensive coverage from journalists keen on bringing the festivities to the public eye. However, this year’s festival took a different turn as journalists reported inadequate arrangements made for their coverage by the district administration.

Working journalists lamented the lack of proper facilities for media personnel at the district-level Malyavant festival, a stark contrast to the comprehensive coverage provided during block-level festivities. Despite a designated corner in the gallery for journalists, it failed to offer a clear view of the service program, making it challenging to adequately report on the event and collect essential photographs.

Frustrated by these circumstances, journalists united in protest, and the District Journalist Coordination Committee made the collective decision to abstain from attending the festival. As a result, the press gallery remained vacant, reflecting the unified stance taken by the journalistic community against the perceived negligence and insufficient arrangements by the district administration for this year’s Malyavant festival.