Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday kept open the option of accepting a third term but ruled out early elections, asserting that the government would complete its five-year term ending in May next year.

“I have still some time to complete my present term,” he replied when asked during an event in New Delhi whether he would accept a third term if asked.

To another poser, Singh said he considers Prime Ministership of this vast country as “a great honour” and his effort has been to be rise up to the high expectations of the people.

Singh, who is serving the second term, has been the Prime Minister for nine years.

Questioned whether he was in the election mode, the Prime Minister replied, “I am not going to answer any question (on the issue).”

When asked whether his remaining term was for “six months or one year”, Singh said, “We will complete five years of our government.”

Singh commended the role of media in informing the public. At the same time, he regretted that there was at times, sensationalism, trivialisation and paid news, which the media itself should address.

Prime Minister cautioned the media against sensationalism and trivialisation of serious issues that results in misinformation.

Singh said he expected the media not only to just report accurately on what has happened but also to highlight social and economic injustices and thus pave the way for their redressal.

“We expect the media to educate public opinion on what is advisable and what is not by informing the people of the benefits and adverse consequences of following a particular course of action,” he said.

Singh said he expected the media to point out the shortcomings of the government and thus help in improving the effectiveness of the administrative set-up in the country.

“This is indeed a formidable list of expectations,” he said adding the media in the country has, on balance, acquitted itself well. However, Singh said there have been “aberrations” too.

“We sometimes see sensationalism driven by personal and political prejudices. There is trivialization of the serious issues, resulting sometime in misinformation,” he said.

Singh said reports about ‘paid news’ during the election times should be a major cause of concern to the media.

“I am of the view that it is for the media itself to find effective ways and means of addressing these concerns problems,” he said

Paying rich tributes to the Delhi gang-rape victim, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the loss of her life would not go in vain even as her mother demanded death penalty for the rapists, particularly the juvenile.

“Her courage and her zest for life will always serve as an inspiration to us. We should all pay tribute to her by resolving that we will not let the loss of her life go in vain and will work together to enhance the safety and security of women in our country,” he said.

Earlier, Singh honoured her by giving away the ‘Daughter of India’ award, which was received by the victim’s parents at the award function.

Singh lauded the work of the Justice J S Verma Committee which recommended changes in criminal law to be able to deal more effectively with heinous crimes against women.

“As I have said on an earlier occasion as well, there is a great deal that needs to be done not only for making women safer and more secure in our country, but also for empowering them socially and economically. Our Government will continue to make all possible efforts in this direction,” he said.

At the function, the victim’s mother demanded death sentence for the five rapists, particularly the juvenile, who had asked her to board the bus.

“I would request you to put in place such systems so that such heinous crimes do not recur. All the five accused should get death penalty, particularly the juvenile. He should be hanged,” she said.