AIR Imphal makes history
Mid-day Manipuri news launched for the first time in NE
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 21 2009: THE ALL India Radio, Imphal has become the first among all the stations in the entire North Eastern Region to broadcast mid-day news for the first time with the launching of it's programme from today.

Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi formally launched the five-minute mid-day Manipuri bulletin to coincide with the occasion of the 37th Statehood Day celebrated today, January 21 .

Chief Minister O Ibobi, Information Minister TN Haokip, Dy Dir Gen (NER-II) C Lalrosanga (L) and SE Md Kamruddin

Chief Minister Ibobi also opened two FM news headlines at 2 pm and 4 pm during the majestic function which was attended by State Information Minister TN Haokip, Deputy Director General (NER-II), AIR C Lalrosanga and Superintending Engineer, AIR Imphal, Md Kamaruddin.

Director General (News) All India Radio, Dr PK Bandyopadhyay, who was earlier scheduled to grace the launching ceremony but had to cancel the trip to Imphal at the last minute due to unavoidable circumstances, had sent his message which was read out at the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi said, AIR Imphal plays a vital role in building the state's integrity.

Being a regular and avid listener of the Manipuri news on AIR Imphal both 7.30 news in the morning and 7.30 news in the evening, Ibobi disclosed that he takes it as a daily routine to listen to the Manipuri news.

Even when he is engaged in other busy schedules, he always makes it a point to listen to the news on AIR Imphal, and would tell his family members not to disturb him while he is listening to news.

The Chief Minister also held that the AIR and media in Manipur were responsible for making the people of the state aware of the plans of the central government such as the NREGS, Bharat Nirman Programme, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) free education for children upto Class X.Talking about the role media plays, Ibobi said that the press�newspapers in Manipur were playing a pivotal role.

He appreciated the fact that the press act as a brake to the vehicle which is the government.

He appealed to the media to give constructive criticisms and point out the mistakes of the government so that it could correct itself.

Deputy Director General (NER-II), AIR C Lalrosanga while delivering his speech lauded the performance of the news persons of the AIR Imphal.

"Mizoram also plans to follow Manipur's example.

The AIR of Mizoram will launch its morning news from February 21, which is the Statehood Day of Mizoram".

BB Sharma, Deputy Director (News) AIR Imphal in his welcome address said, the five minute mid-day Manipuri bulletin has been a long standing demand of the people of Manipur during the last 20 years.

He credited the achievement of AIR Imphal in launching the mid-day Manipuri bulletin to the zealous efforts made by Chief Minister O Ibobi.

It was mainly due to the timely initiative of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi that the outstanding demand of the people of Manipur could be fulfilled on the 37th Statehood Day, BB Sharma said.

Mrs Maibam Kamala, staff of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) was the first to read the mid-day Manipur news bulletin.

At present Manipur has two Manipuri news bulletins at 7:30 in the morning which runs for about 5 minutes giving out all the important headlines while the one in the evening at 7:30 too runs for 15 (fifteen) giving important headlines and details of the day.

The mid-day news bulletin will also reportedly run for 5 minutes giving all the important headlines and news items.

It is worth mentioning here that AIR Imphal was launched on August 15, 1963 during the time of the late chief minister Mairenbam Koireng.

The first editor was Maibam Harichoron while Khaidem Nabakumar was the first news reader of the 15 minutes news bulletin.

The one hour-long launching ceremony of the mid-day bulletin from the AIR Imphal premises was broadcast live on both Kangla and Sangai channels of AIR Imphal from 11 am to 12.10 pm.

Many prominent leaders here including State Women Commission Chairperson Dr Chongtham Jamini Devi, Former Vice-chancellor of Manipur University Prof I S Khaidem (Retd), Commissioner Information and Public Relations P Bharat Singh, Director General of Police Manipur Yumnam Joykumar, Inspector General of Assam Rifles Major General A K Choudhary lauded the effort of the AIR.