Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya recently released ‘Good News Assam’, a special publication by the state’s Doordarshan News, at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan (formerly Raj Bhavan) in Guwahati. 

• The book documents 55 impactful stories of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community leadership, highlighting the state’s positive transformation and grassroots achievements.

Key Highlights of the Initiative

• Positive Journalism: ‘Good News Assam’ originated as a weekly Doordarshan News programme that has documented over 50 episodes of inspiring narratives from across Assam’s districts.
• Vivid Snapshot of Progress: The publication features stories showcasing the state’s resilience, creativity, and collective progress in sectors like health, education, agriculture, digital services, women’s empowerment, and community development.
• Showcasing Scheme Implementation: The Governor noted that the programme effectively communicates the on-ground implementation of central and state welfare schemes, thus strengthening public faith in government initiatives.
• Participatory Development: The initiative is seen as promoting a participatory approach to development by giving recognition to everyday heroes and grassroots change-makers, similar to the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat.
• Lok Bhavan Focus: The renaming of the Governor’s official residence from Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan signifies a shift towards governance aimed at public participation and welfare. The Lok Bhavan has committed itself to nurturing potential through people-centric initiatives like youth skill development and promotion of natural farming.

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Q. Which of the following statements about the ‘Good News Assam’ initiative is/are correct?

1. It is a special publication released by the Doordarshan News of Assam, documenting inspiring grassroots stories.
2. The Governor drew a parallel between this initiative and the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ for promoting participatory development.
3. The release ceremony was held at the newly renamed Lok Bhavan, formerly the Raj Bhavan, in Guwahati.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(A) 1 only

(B) 2 and 3 only

(C) 1 and 3 only

(D) 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2, and 3

One Line Wrap: Doordarshan’s ‘Good News Assam’ is a celebrated publication documenting grassroots achievements, emphasizing that positive storytelling is essential for promoting public trust and participatory governance.

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