Plight of hawkers highlighted on their Day
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 25 2023:
Manipur Hawkers' Association celebrated 42nd Hawkers' Day at Manipur Press Club here on Friday.
The celebration began with offering of floral tributes to the departed founder members and members of the association and also observed silence for two minutes as a mark of respect.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Editors' Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram stressed the need for every individual to understand the value of their work even if others failed to consider it as it is in service of the people.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic days when people did not even subscribed newspaper fearing spread of the virus by hawkers and every locality put up fences thereby hindering them from distributing newspapers, he praised the newspaper distributors for their bravery and responsibilities in ensuring that newspapers reach the people during such challenging times.
Similar problems were also faced by journalists, he continued, while explaining that when some individuals or communities have resentment against the media, it invariably impacts the hawkers' community as well.
As such, those related with media, who are the soft target, should join hands and work together, he urged.
Khogendra also informed that the government did not bear all the amount of the pension given to the journalists.
After carrying out fund collection drive, AMWJU handed over the money to the government and launched the pension scheme with an additional amount provided by the government, he added.
Hawkers can also pursue with the government for initiating a pension scheme for them, he suggested, while adding that AMWJU and EGM can help in pressuring the government in this regard.
In his address, AMWJU president Bijoy Kakchingtabam voiced apprehension over whether newspaper publication could sustain in view of the rapid advancement in digital revolution.
As Manipur is a small state, the newspaper circulation is not so large.
Having a hawkers' association despite the low circulation is laudable and there is need to strengthen the association, he added.
The AMWJU president also regretted that the hawkers' body does not have a permanent office, and urged the association to submit an application to AMWJU for setting up a temporary office before a permanent site is provided by the government.
The matter will be discussed in the standing committee meeting, he assured.
Urging to frame dos and don'ts for Hawkers' Association, he exhorted the hawkers to first ask subscriber for their second choice of newspaper if the subscribed newspaper could not be printed on a particular day due to some problem.
Manipur Hawkers' Association president Wangkhem Ajit pointed out that the association has been providing pension to the retired hawkers.
He further urged the government to maintain a corpus fund for the hawkers so as to ensure proper pension scheme.
Pensions were distributed to the retired hawkers as a part of the function.