Be watchdog of schemes: MoS to media
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 18 2022: Union Minister of State for Education and External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan on Wednesday stated that the central government is always ready to provide humanitarian assistance to all our neighbours and it is prepared to help the people of Sri Lanka who are currently facing an economic and political crisis.

He then invited the media fraternity to assess whether the over 180 schemes launched by PM Modi from 2014 have been delivered to the rightful beneficiaries of the state, while adding this will prove that the state is heading onto the right path of development.

Addressing a media workshop, titled 'VARTALAP' organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB), Imphal at Classic Grande on Wednesday; Dr Ranjan appealed to the media to hunt for information and expose all wrong doings of any person.

Regarding the Workshop, Dr Ranjan said that it is important for the youth to be proud of being a journalist, adding that many have completed formal education in this field.

In a democracy, media needs to take a positive role and help in assessing whether the various programmes of the government have been delivered to the different beneficiaries or not.

"Media is a powerful tool and as such, people involved in media should use the tool in accordance to time and place," he remarked.

Informing that the Modi government has started about 180 new schemes since 2014 to ensure sustainable growth and provide good education and healthy life; Dr Ranjan stressed that the media, which is the fourth pillar of democracy, should assess the implementations of the schemes.

India's economic diplomacy is far sighted as India imported food items from Myanmar, South Africa earlier and the government is aware of the possibility of the shortage of moong dal in the coming days.

Stating the MPs are closely monitoring the process of implementation of schemes in the state, the union minister appealed to all to follow the Govardhan (waste to wealth) policy of the government and start organic farming, considering the fact that India is importing 80 percent of crude oil and to stop degradation of soil, the centre has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh in every district to start natural farming.

Meanwhile, the New Education policy will change the system and our younger generation will be empowered to generate revenues on their own.

A defective education system is more dangerous than nuclear bomb.

So, there is the need to change the education system for the better.

About 75 percent of study materials will now be available in digital format.

Hence, students will not be overburdened by heavy books, he added.

"The media also needs to do an analysis of the education sector so as to address the different shortcomings.

Education should be affordable, and based on quality and equity.

Additionally, people need to rectify their thinking that only private schools are the best," he added.

The union government has also started programmes to develop the border villages so that the villagers can protect our country and the border area can become tourist spots, Dr Ranjan added.

In his presidential speech, Addl DG (R) PIB B Narayanan said that the government has started various innovative schemes like direct transfer of benefits to the beneficiaries, and closing down of Planning Commission to ensure development and progress.

The main objective of the workshop is to sensitise the media about the social welfare schemes/projects being taken up by the government, he added.

During the first part of the technical session of the workshop, Smart City Ltd OSD K Japeth Chewang spoke on the topic of Imphal Smart City', while Education (S) director L Nandakumar spoke on National Education Policy 2020 and its impact in Manipur'.

In the second part of the technical session, Manipur Health Services senior neuro physician Dr N Hemantakumar spoke on Health and Wellness' and CIPET Imphal joint director Imo Thiyam on Plastics: Waste to Wealth' .

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