Newspapers are mirrors of the society: MLA Alexander Pao
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 21 2013 : The 5th anniversary of the English and the Meeteilon editions of Hueiyen Lanpao daily was celebrated at the Literary Hall of the media house located at Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai here today.

Celebrated under the aegis of Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications, the event witnessed a special performance of the traditional folk singing style, 'Khullang Eshei' by Lourembam Bedabati Devi and party along with a talk on "Birds of Loktak Lake" by renowned environmentalist Dr Khangembam Shamungou Singh.

While the "Khullang Eshei" enthralled one and all present on the occasion, the talk on "Birds of Loktak Lake" enlightened the gathering on the varieties of migratory birds visiting the Loktak Lake every year and how their number is decreasing over the years due to unrestraint poaching and indifference attitude of the people.

5th anniversary of the English and the Meeteilon editions of Hueiyen Lanpao

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, V Alexander Pao, MLA of Karong A/C, stated that newspapers are the mirrors of the society and newspersons should come up with write-ups and reports which could bring about goodness to the society.

He further stated that with the increase in the number of newspapers in the State, the number of readers in the State has also increased manifold, which is a very good sign.

The media persons of the State have been providing useful information to the public.

But they further need to report on the various development programmes being taken up in the State for the welfare of the people.

News is for all and not for any particular section of the society, he added.

The MLA also pointed out the need to highlight the time table as well as the results of all State examinations as it would help the student community especially in the far flung areas of the State to large extent.

No biasness on news reporting should be made and only the truth should be told so as not to mislead the readers, he observed.

Delivering the Presidential speech, W Rajen, Director of Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur, stated that the media is trying to save the society from getting drown.

Though media persons in Manipur are paid very less, yet their contributions to the society is priceless.

Even if media persons in Manipur realized the risk involved in their profession, yet they get themselves deeply attached to the profession with a sense of sacrifice which is indeed praiseworthy.

The pension provided by the State Government to the media persons are also very less with just Rs 2000/month, he added.

Earlier, speaking on the topic of "Birds of Loktak Lake", L Shamungou informed that the number of migratory birds visiting the Loktak Lake today has decreased considerably.

At one point of time, the varieties of migratory birds visiting Loktak Lake was also many.

These birds mainly come from China, Siberia, Ladakh and many other places in the Himalayan region.

According to the survey conducted in 2012-13, there were around 14-17 varieties of migratory birds only visiting the State.

Dr A Ibomcha, News Editor, AIR who was also present on the occasion as Guest of Honour expressed happiness over the various investigative reporting done by Hueiyen Lanpao and recalled his association with the media house before joining the AIR.

Among the invitees who spoke, Prof JC O'Brien of English Department, Manipur University, shared his observation as a reader on the different types and varieties of news reports covered by Hueiyen Lanpao.