Tamenglong, April 19 2010: A new daily in Rongmei dialect called 'The Cham', to be published from Tamenglong district HQ, was formally launched today at the Indoor Stadium of Tamenglong with Hareshwar Goshwami, MCS, Jt.

Director, Education (S), Government of Manipur, A Balkhrishna Sharma, Jt.

Director, DIPR, Government of Manipur, Benlian Vaiphei, vice president of All Manipur Hill District Journalists' Union, Khogendra Khomdram, Editor of Sangai Express (Manpuri) and Vice President of AMWJU as chief guest, guests of honour and president of the function respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Hareshwar Goshwami said that this lone newspaper in Rongmei dialect will communicate among the people of Rongmei tribe.

He said, knowledge can be used both as positive and negative.

Through this knowledge, men are able to live, he said.

With this newspaper, people's voice from Tamenglong district will be able to reach different parts of the state.

It will help identifying the cultures, customs and existence of human being in Tamenlgong district, the Jt Director, Education (S) said.

Newspapers have great roles.

This newspaper will be the eyes and ears of the people of Tamenglong.

This newspaper needs support of the Zeliangrong people and Manipur as a whole, he said.

He also announced that his department is joining hands with Discovery, Manipur in organizing educational tour for the Higher Secondary School students with visits to important places of Manipur free of cost.

He also donated a sum of Rs 10,000 to the Editor of 'The Cham' during the launching of the newspaper today.

In his speech as guest of honour, A Balkhrishna Sharma, Jt Director, DIPR, Government of Manipur, said that Zeliangrong people have two important days.

Yesterday, a feature film of Zeliangrong was released and again today, a Rongmei newspaper is being launched.

He hoped that the people living in Tamenglong district will get benefits through the newspaper, either from government advertisements or individuals, and the paper will cover the whole district and give awareness to the people.

Benlian Vaiphei, vice president of All Manipur Hill District Journalists' Union, also spoke on the occasion.

He said, 'the Lord has made this day for the people of Tamenglong'.

He hoped that the newspaper will uplift the people and this will open the eyes of Tamenglong to make it equal with the others.

He wished that the newspaper will help develop the most backward district of Manipur.

Khogendra Khomdram, Editor of Sangai Express (Manpuri) and Vice President of AMWJU, who also spoke on the occasion, observed that working as a pressman is very difficult.

The press needs cooperation of the public and the government.

It is worth mentioning here that The Cham was earlier called DihCham.

However, its editor Ramkung Pamei changed its name to 'The Cham' which means 'The news'.

Comment