Rishikesh of Hueiyen Lanpao feted with State Journalist Award, 2012
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 16 2012: Wangkhem Rishikesh Singh, a Staff Reporter of Hueiyen Lanpao was honoured with Manipur State Journalist Award, 2012 by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur in recognition of his valuable contribution in the field of Sports Reporting, on the occasion of National Press Day observance at Manipur Press Club here today.

Rishikesh was among 7 journalists of the state who were honoured the highest State Journalist Award for their valuable contribution in different fields of journalism.

Other awardees are P Bishwakanta of Poknapham for Rural Reporting, K Vedajit Sharma of Ereibak for Reporting on Health and Hygiene, Sapam Aruna of Sangai Express for Reporting on Women and Children, A Ranjit for Reporting on Science and Technology and Nepram Krishnamohan, Joint Editor of Sanaleibak for Parliamentary Reporting.

The Best Editor Award was conferred to Pradeep Phanjoubam, Editor of Imphal Free Press.

The awards carry a cash prize of R 25,000 along with a memento and a shawl each.

Surprisingly, as never happened before in the state, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations failed to hand over the cash prizes to the awardees at the function citing inability of the Directorate to withdraw the amount from the bank in time.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, MLA K Meghachandra, who has been recently inducted as the Parliamentary Secretary in-charge of DIPR, stated that the first floor of the new office building of DIPR which is being constructed at Keishampat would be completed and inaugurated in January, 2013.The remaining portion of the building would be completed by March 2013 and formally dedicated to the people.

Meghachandra observed that though a small department, DIPR plays an important role in disseminating information related to the works being taken up by the State Government for the welfare of the people to the people.

So, every possible effort would be made to ensure that the required infrastructural development and equipments are provided at the earliest possible in consultation with the Chief Minister.

Noting that media is a powerful weapon in a democratic country, Meghachandra said that in a state like Manipur which is home to various ethnic groups, the role of media is immense and the journalists of the state also play a pivotal role in keeping intact the territorial integrity of the state.

Informing that Press Council of India (PCI) has declared that it would be awarding National Award for Excellence in Journalism very soon, the MLA expressed hope that the journalists of the state would surely get the said award in near future.

Presided over by L Lakher, Commissioner of DIPR, the observance function was also attended by A Mobi, President of All Manipur Working Journalists' Union (AMWJU) as Guest of Honour.

To mark the occasion, a seminar on the topic "Freedom of the Media" was organized with Seram Mangi, retired IIS officer as moderator.

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