TSE duo among five scribes honoured on IPR day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01 2008: Along with presentation of the Manipur State Journalist Award, 2008 to five persons including an editor and two staff reporters of The Sangai Express, the Information and Public Relations Day, 2008 was observed under the aegis of the State Directorate of Information and Public Relations in commemoration of its establishment on this day in 1949 at its complex here today.

The State Journalists awardees for this year are editor of Hmasawna Thar Lalmalsawm Sellate for promotion of National Integration and communal harmony, staff reporter of The Sangai Express Laishram Shamungou for Public Hygiene, staff reporter of The Sangai Express Ng Liklaileima and staff reporter of Poknapham S Sonia jointly for the promotion of Women and children issue and freelance journalist Sobhapati Samon for rural reporting.

Award winning journalists pose with delegates during the IPR Day celebration

The function was attended by Minister of Information and Public Relations TN Haokip as chief guest, Commissioner of Information and Public Relations P Bharat Singh as functional president and Director of Information and Public Relations T Sitlhou, IAS as guest of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister TN Haokip said that recognition of media as the fourth pillar of a democratic country only goes to show the important role that media plays in the society.

So development can come about only when the ruling Government and the media extend co-operation to each other along with understanding of each other's role.

In his presidential address, Commissioner P Bharat Singh said despite being a minor department, Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) is an important department that bridge the gap between the Government and the governed.

Understanding the important role of the mediapersons, the Department has been taking up various welfare measures for the journalists in the State, he said, adding that the State award being presented was also an outcome of such efforts.

On the news reports published by the print media in the State, the Commissioner suggested that even if there is freedom of writing, every news reports should be verified properly before being printed.

There is limitation for everything including news report, he added.

Retired Associate News Editor of All India Radio Imphal Seram Mangi Singh, former Joint Director of DIPR RK Bijoy Singh and this year's State Journalist awardee Editor of Hmasawna Thar Lalmalsawm Sellate were also among those who spoke at the function today.

The chief guest presented the awards to the recipients.

Each of the award carries Rs 25000 in cash, a citation and a Leirum Phee.

It may be recalled here that Manipur State Journalist Award was introduced in 1994 and the then editor of Manipur Mail late N Tombi Singh was the first recipient of the award.

So far 18 persons have been honoured with the prestigious award.

Till last year, the monetary amount of the award which was also given to only one selected editor under the theme National integration and communal harmony was Rs 5000 only.

But starting from this year, the award is being considered under four different themes and the cash reward has been increased to Rs 25,000 .

The Information and Public Relations Day was also reportedly observed in other districts of the State.

Our Tamenglong correspondent adds: Like in other districts, Tamenglong District Information Office, also observed the Information Day today at the office of the DIO Tamenglong.

Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Tamenglong N Jacob and District Co-operative Officer (DCO) Tamenglong G Dikiang graced the function as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the function, Jonamang Kamei, UDC of District Information Office, Tamenglong said that the day is being observed in commemoration of establishment of the State Information office at Imphal on November 1, 1949 .

Jonamang went on to say that the Tamenglong unit of the Information office was established on April 26, 1975 and since then attached at the DC's office, Tamenglong and on December 31, 1978, the unit became a full-fledged office.

The chief guest N Jacob encouraged the department to put up hoardings, circulate phamphlets and the likes to make aware the public about the social evils, drug addiction, etc.

In his president speech, G Dikiang said that the District Information office plays the role of mouthpiece of the Government.

Talking to this correspondent, a staff of DIO Tamenglong said that the office has only one reporter, one UDC, one photographer and two Grade-IV staff whereas a normal DIO office should be having 3 sets of computers, tele-printer, internet facilities, television and sufficient staff.

The Information day was also observed in a small and ill-maintained room supposedly built as computer room.

In Churachandpur, the observance function organised by District Information Officer (DIO) and his staff was held at the office complex of DIO.

Vice principal of Churachandpur Govt College LS Gangte, editor of Sik NiYeng Lalmiana Borena ZEO Lalbothong were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the function.

Mediapersons and public leaders were also present at the occasion.

Information Day was also reportedly observed by District Information Offices of Bishnupur and Thoubal.