Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 20:
YL Roland Shimmrei a fifty seven year Tangkhul from Ukhrul dist is a man who by sheer hard work and determination has transformed the lives of hundreds of Tangkhul villagers residing in the remote areas of the dist by providing news through a Tangkhul dialect newspaper.
Talking to The Sangai Express at his Ukhrul Viewland residence today, YL Roland Shimmrei said that he had been delivering news report to the Tangkhul villagers residing in remote areas for the last nine/ten years after collecting them from various sources and translating them into Tangkhul dialect for the readers who have been denied of daily newspapers, radios, television etc on account of the geographical location.
On being asked how he spreads news report to the villagers in the interior areas, Roland who is in his late 50s said that he first collects all the important news item from all the State dailies, national papers, television and radios which include "The Sangai Express", "Imphal Free Press", "Telegraph", "Nagaland Post" etc and translates them into the Tangkhul dialect arid then types them before cyclostyling them.
The cyclostyled newspapers are then distributed to the Tangkhul readers in the interior regions of Ukhrul dist with the help of a hawker, added Roland.
Commenting on the people's response to his unique newspaper, Roland said that he had received encouragement from the public and added that this particular newspaper which is published on every alternate day is very much appreciated by the Tangkhul citizens as it provides information to Tangkhul villager residing in remote areas besides educating the illiterate villagers about the current affairs.
Answering to a query, Roland said that he earns a meagre Rs 10,000 per month by selling his newspapers and further said that the newspapers are sold to the hawkers at a commission of Rs 0.50.