RK Sanatomba journalist award goes to Sonia
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 30 2009: The RK Sanatomba Journalist Award 2009 sponsored by the RK Sanatomba Memorial Trust annually since 2004 in recognition of the contribution to the society by the print and electronic media has been conferred to Sorensangbam Sonia, a staff reporter of Poknapham daily today.

The award, which carries a citation and a cash component of Rs.10,000 was given away today at a function at Kangla Hall, Imphal.

This is the sixth award.

The first RK Sanatomba Memorial Journalist Award, 2004, it may be recalled, was given to Thingbaijam Dhamen.

Other awardees were Laishram Samungou, Ak Sunita, Irom Ashalata and Liklaileima.

Mother of Late RK Sanatomba, Mangi Shija giving award to Sonia Sorensangbam of Poknapham

Sonia`s incisive reportage on many issues of public importance during the year 2008 caught the eyes of the selection panel of the trust, said RK Nimai, the convener of the Trust while declaring the awardee of the year.

She was chosen among eight reporters from five local dailies published in the state, who applied for the award.

Sonia received the award from Mangi Shija, mother of late RK Sanatomba.

The award function was graced by former editor of the ISTV , K Modumangol as chief guest, Thounaojam Iboyaima, social worker as president and mother of the RK Sanatomba, Mangi Shija, Rupachandra Yumnam, news editor, ISTV and previous years recipients as guest of honour.

Born to MK Khedasana Singh and Mangi Shija on June 11, 1963, RK Sanatomba was a bright and upcoming journalist and social activist during his short lifetime.

The life of the promising journalist was cut short in an unfortunate incident on June 30, 1993.Popularly known as Konung Sanatomba, he was the editor of Kangla Lanpung, a journal which attempted to highlight the suffering faced by the people.

Speaking at the occasion K Modhumangol recalled the deceased young journalist as an extraordinary character, full of spirit and vitality.

He said, conferring award to the journalist fraternity of the state knowing their effort is a laudable thing and it has given a place for the journalists in the society.

The role of journalists in the society is very great.

They should be respected.

This award will encourage the journalists and help in producing good journalists, he added.

Th Iboyaima talking as president recalled the yeomen service contributed by RK Sanatomba during his life time as journalists.

As young journalist, he tried his best for relaying truth of the information.

If he happened to live till today, he will surely passed true information of the spate of killing presently witnessing in the state.

At the same time, he also lauded the role played by the media in the society.

As a part of the award distribution function, Rupachandra Yunmam, editor ISTV presented a paper on "Prospect and Constraint of Electronic Media in Manipur".

He talked on the survival of the electronic media in the state.