Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday urged journalists not to belittle the growth prospects of the Indian economy.

Speaking at an event organized to present the `Shriram Sanlam' awards for excellence in financial journalism, Mr. Chidambaram said some of journalists were natural optimists, while others were pessimists.

Advising the fraternity of financial journalists to be optimistic about India's growth, he said, "Do not belittle the Indian economy's growth prospects."

The Finance Minister added that he looked forward to journalists who could put a finger on things which retard the economy and suggest options to boost the economy.

He further added the Indian economy would keep on growing but the difference they could make was to make sure that the rate of economic growth jump from the modest 5-6 per cent to 8-9 per cent.

During the ceremony, 99-year old veteran journalist P. A. Seshan, who is called the `Bhisma Pitamaha' of financial journalism, came in a wheel chair to receive the honour. He will turn 100 in July this year.

Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar, consulting editor of The Economic Times, was bestowed with honour of the lifetime achievement award; while the award for the `Indian Economic Policy & Macro economic Issues' category was conferred on Raghu Mohan of Business World.