Imphal, December 26 2010: The 26th Annual General Body Meeting of the All Manipur Newspaper Sellers and Distributors' Association was held today at the Laiyingthou Awangba Shanglen, Khurai Thangjam Leikai.

Retired Education Director, Thangjam Samungou, Editor, Hueiyen Lanpao (Meitei Mayek), Maisnam Shivadutta Luwang and Paonam Ibo were the chief guest and guests of honour of the function respectively.

President, All Manipur Newspaper Sellers and Distributors' Association, Konsam Ibotomba was the president.

Members of the association paid tribute to its deceased members by observing a two minutes silence.

In a speech, Th Samungou said that news and information is very important in today's world.

The impact of newspapers entered Manipur very late.

The first newspaper was the handwritten newspaper of Hijam Irabot in 1938.On the other hand, India had its first newspapers between late 17th century and early 18th century.

Distributors take a major role to see that news get reached to the general public.

In carrying out their trade they face many troubles and hardships.

They distribute newspapers even when they are ill.

Shamungou asked the distributors to carry out their duty with a sense of dedication and obligation.

Only then they will earn the respect and love of the public.

He suggested the association to organize awareness programmes for the distributors to make them understand the value of news.

He also expressed his gratitude to the distributors for their valuable services.

Speaking in the occasion, Maisnam Shivadutta said that the present situation of the state is is fearsome.

People are always living with a constant fear of getting killed or kidnapped.

It his high time for the people to stand united against violence in the state.

He however expressed his dissatisfaction over the non participation of some distributors.

He said that the troubles and inconveniences faced by the distributors are not fully known by the general public.

People should know and understand the troubles and inconveniences the distributors face while serving the public.

The responsibility being taken by the distributors is praiseworthy.

Ordinary citizens cannot take the responsibility and risk taken by them.

Media houses and distributors are interrelated.

They are like the two faces of a coin.

That is why some organizations when they threaten media persons also threaten the distributors.

He stressed the need of an office of the distributors.

He also said that there is a proposal to give a room in the Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul for the distributors.

He also assured to do whatever he can to make them avail of a room in the club premises.

He also expressed his desire to publish a souvenir of the club and introduce the use uniforms and identity cards by the distributors.

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