Prannoy Roy's speech on 25 years of NDTV

New Delhi: Yesterday, NDTV celebrated its 25-year journey with a series of events culminating with a grand show at Rashtrapati Bhavan where 25 Living Legends of India were honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Here is what co-founder and executive co-chairperson Dr Prannoy Roy said in his opening remarks at Rashtrapati Bhavan:

President Sir, friends

A couple of days ago I asked Radhika, the founder of NDTV, what has kept NDTV going for 25 years - hard work? Technology? Passion? Money? What is it? She said just one word - trust. Your trust. And I am here tonight on behalf of NDTV to thank every single one of you for your trust in us.

First a secret. When I was asked to speak for a few minutes, I said no... not really.  But here I am because frankly there's one factor that's common to all journalists- we may not be the most important people in the world but we are certainly the most self-important.   

Trust. When each one of us at NDTV is out in the field, with dust on our face and dirt under our nails, we do it because in the end we have felt whatever we report has your trust.

When we started The World This Week 25 years ago, the only programme that reported on international news - the breakup of the Soviet Union and the coming down of the Berlin Wall, or the first McDonalds in China - we were novices but you trusted us.

When we report on elections - who's winning and who's losing and why - we just couldn't do it  without feeling your faith and your trust in us.

If there's one thing I feel proud about the media it's the role in elections, and democracy by bridging the gap between Parliament and the voter. And perhaps even in changing the power equation.  For 25 years up to 2002, we had angry voters  - 70% of governments, good or bad, were thrown out - the anti-incumbency phase. Now over the last 10 years, the period of media explosion, 50% of governments are voted out and 50% voted back by a more informed voter. If governments deliver, they are voted back and they don't they are thrown out.  

Trust.  When we started the first private news on Indian television we were a bundle of nerves. You gave us strength   

At most difficult times, when we lost our dearest colleagues who started NDTV with us and we wondered why continue, you kept us going.

When we produced India's first 24 hour news channel, 15 years ago, you trusted us. We value that still today.

15 years ago there was just one 24 hour news channel. Today there are 182 at last count.  Get ready for 500 in five years. Compared to 15 years ago, technology has ensured that starting a news channel (technology) is 95% cheaper today.

And, as an aside let me say, with this changing media how politicians have changed. When we used to question them 25 years ago, they would take 3 minutes to get to the point - clear their throats, look at themselves in the studio monitor, and start with a historical perspective. Now they are sharp, they make three points in 20 seconds, very aware that if it is longer they may be edited, and, by having to be on TV so much, our politicians today are so much better groomed and better looking. A welcome fringe benefit of openness.

And now, in the fight against tabloidisation - with documentaries and shows on rural India matters - you stay with us. Tabloidisation is a worry but there is a backlash by viewers. We hope and pray that sponsors and advertisers will give a greater weightage to content and avoid promoting them - like in most developed economies. One tabloid channel hit an all-time low when the anchor said "break ke baad aapko ek rape dekhayenge". Enough is enough. Surely.

Trust. When we fight campaigns - for Jessica Lal, Greenathon, Save the Tiger, Toilets for girls in schools, Marks for Sports, (and) the girl child and many others, you trusted us with crores in donations.

Looking ahead at the next five years, we believe that soft power will become as important as hardware in global conflict.  A friend sitting here said to me - the US has CNN, England has the BBC, the Middle-East has Al Jazeera, China has CCTV, where is India?  NDTV believes India is strongest in its creativity and soft power.  The time has come to launch an Indian CNN or Al Jazeera. We can be better than the rest of the world.  NDTV has an Indian truly global channel in its sights. We need your faith, support and trust in this too.

So, in a word,  what brings a lump to our throat is simply your trust.

And to cap our emotions today, the 25 greatest Indians, coming here together.  And just by accepting our invitation, they've given us their trust.

Thank you. Please welcome India's 25 Greatest Global Living Legends.