43rd Hawkers' Day observed ; Pension scheme for newspaper hawkers mooted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 25 2024: Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that there is no substitute for newspapers despite the advancement in Information Technology (IT) .

He made the statement at the 43rd Hawkers' Day organised by Manipur Hawkers' Association (MHA) at Haying Khongbal Uphong Yumpham yesterday.

At the observance, the MP continued that every person can now know what is happening around the world using modern gadgets like smart phones and tablets.

There however is no substitute for newspapers despite the advancement of technology, he said.

Maintaining that the role of newspapers in any society is immense, Sanajaoba added that it is the hawkers who bring these newspapers to 'our doorsteps' .

43rd Hawkers' Day observed

There is nothing to be ashamed of in being a newspaper hawker, the MP said and maintained that every profession should be respected.

Expressing desire for the newspaper hawkers to have a uniform so that people can identify them easily, Sanajaoba assured that he will extend all possible assistance to introduce a pension scheme for the hawkers and also build a hall for them to take shelter during rain and other circumstances.

MHA general secretary Laikhuram Surjit, while delivering the keynote address, said that hawkers should not look down on their profession.

Saying that hawkers discharged their duty even during the Covid pandemic and other difficult times to keep the people informed, he added that hawkers should take pride in their job.

Though newspaper hawkers don't make much money, their contribution to the society is remarkable as they are the ones who take newspapers to the doorsteps of every reader, Surjit maintained.

Appealing to all newspaper hawkers to renew their cards on time, he said that the State has about 1000 newspaper hawkers but only about 700 are registered.

He also said that only about 200 newspaper hawkers renew their cards every year.

Stating that newspaper hawkers need to have a uniform to easily identify them, Surjit maintained that there is also a need to introduce a pension scheme and insurance policy for the hawkers.

MHA president Wangkhem Ajit Singh and Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board member secretary Maisnam Shivadutta Luwang also attended the programme.

The association handed over pension to two elders who used to work as hawkers.

Floral tributes were also paid to the photos of retired members of MHA.