In Pics: Narendra Modi meets journalists

New Delhi: Reaching out to the media with which he has had a lukewarm relationship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had some good words for the press today, promising to find a way to interact with it directly.The occasion was provided by a 'Diwali milan' (get-together) organised by the BJP at its headquarters here at which some 400 hundred journalists, including top editors, were present.Modi, who used to stay at the party headquarters as an party office-bearer before becoming Chief Minister of Gujarat, said in a brief speech laced with characteristic humour, "I used to arrange chairs here waiting for you. "Those were different days when we used to interact freely. I had a beautiful relationship with you and it helped me in Gujarat."Fondly recalling that relationship, the Prime Minister, who has not formally met the media since he took over in May, said he was looking for ways to further deepen and expand it."Some way will be found. It is important to interact with media directly rather than the reportage and articles."By interacting directly, one gets to know things which media persons cannot report. Not only does one get information but also vision, which is very valuable," he said.The entire top brass of the government and BJP were present at the get-together. This included the party President Amit Shah, senior ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj and Prakash Javdekar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday thanked the media for creating awareness about the Clean India Campaign, adding that the members of the fourth estate were doing a service to the nation by writing about it.In his first formal interaction with the media after becoming the prime minister, Modi recounted his relations with the press as a party worker, and then talked about his pet Clean India Campaign."I am reading so many articles on clean India. Electronic and social media is also doing a comprehensive debate on it. This is a service to the nation. This is a good example of how the media can play a constructive role," Modi said at the media meet at the BJP headquarters here."I know 80 percent of it is criticism, but it is spreading awareness on an issue which has tainted India's image in the world," Modi said referring to his cleanliness campaign.He said that by virtue of these writings, an environment was being created where citizens were coming together to work hand-in-hand with the government."Since independence, it was believed that the government would do everything. But the media is encouraging people to work for the nation. There is now an environment where citizens are realising that all have to work together," Modi said."This could not have happened if just the prime minister had taken a broom in his hand," he said.He said he has had a close association with the media and that he wants to strengthen it."When I interact with the media, I not only get information, but I also get a vision," Modi said.He said that he used to once help with the seating arrangement at media meets and used to interact freely with the press, and even though times have now changed, he was looking for ways to deepen his old ties with the media.Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday broke the ice when he met journalists, shook hands with them and smiled for selfies.This happened after Modi was being blamed for keeping the media at arms length.A "Diwali Milan" or Diwali meet as called by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this was Modi's first formal outreach to the media since he became the prime minister.Though journalists had to come an hour in advance for the much-awaited meet, none complained.A relaxed Modi arrived around noon, wearing a light pink kurta and a pink jacket.The stage, decorated with flowers, had a huge party poster with the images of a smiling prime minister and BJP president Amit Shah. Modi was flanked by Shah and Home Minister Rajnath Singh on either side on the stage.While Shah addressed the media, as is part of the custom that party president speaks, Modi was seen chatting with Rajnath Singh and smiling.Shah chose to talk about the recent victories of his party in the assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.The prime minister however kept politics at bay, and chose to break the ice recounting how once upon a time he was the one to make seating arrangements for the media.Modi was referring to his days in the BJP national headquarters before he was made the chief minister of Gujarat.The prime minister added that he had close relations with the media at that time, an experience which helped him in his later years.This was followed by thanking the press for spreading awareness on his pet Clean India Campaign.Also present on the dias were Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and party leader J.P. Nadda.Modi then went to every single table, shook hands with journalists, posed for photos and patiently let people click selfies as well, smiling all the time.A special canopy with saffron and green hues was erected for the interaction at 9, Ashoka Road, adjacent to BJP's national headquarters where Modi spent nearly six years when he was the party's national secretary and general secretary.With heavy security at all the entrances, journalists had to clear four security checks before they could enter the meeting venue.Also present were Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, General Secretary (Organisation) Ramlal, some other ministers and party spokespersons.However, none of the BJP veterans were to be seen.The interaction came a day before the prime minister's dinner with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies at his 7, Race Course Road residence.