Newdelhi:  Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has asked the media to consolidate India as a plural, inclusive and progressive society. Inaugurating the National Media Centre in New Delhi on Saturday, Dr Singh said the media has a special responsibility to assess, tackle and overcome the challenges that socio-economic changes have brought about.

He said the media are not only a mirror of business activity but also a reflection of the entire society. The Prime Minister said the state-of-the-art Centre will be a single window facility to fulfill the needs and requirements of the media.

Speaking on the occasion UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi hoped, the facility will act as a bridge and nerve centre between the government, media and people.The media centre will have offices of the Press Information Bureau as well as special facilities for media.

It has a press conference hall for 283 media persons, a briefing room for about 60 persons, 24 work stations for journalists, a library, media lounge and cafeteria.