Cuttack: Mentioning about the significance of media in society, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu today said people’s involvement is necessary for better governance and that is possible only if media plays a key role.

The topmost priority of media must be to ensure development of common man. The media can play a major role in establishing better governance. It has a considerable role in the democracy, said Naidu at the centenary celebration function of Odia daily ‘The Samaja’ at Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.

Praising ‘The Samaja’ for its work in upliftment of economically weaker section, Naidu said he is quite happy attending the centenary celebration function.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who was also present at the programme, said the democracy will be strengthened if media gets its freedom, adding that the media is like oxygen for the society.

Among others, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJD MP Achyuta Samant were present at the programme.