Imphal, November 15 2008: A media interaction programme christened "Footprints 2008" was jointly organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University and Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications, Pune at MU Senate hall today.

The programme which featured presentation of papers on different topics by resource persons was graced by MU Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof H Nandakumar, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communications Dean Prof Ujjwal Kumar Chowdhury and former news Editor of ISTV K Madhumangol as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Resource persons who presented papers during the programme included Editor of Ireibak daily Arun Irengbam, Associate Editor of the Poknapham Bijoykumar Kakchingtabam, executive director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitongbam, convenor of Committee on Human Rights (COHR) Phulindro Konsam and AIR Programme Executive Dilip Mayengbam.

Interactive panel discussion followed every session of the programme which involved the speakers and audience in healthy debates.

The debates revolved around promotion of awareness on media and communication industry and encouraging quality journalism.

In the course of the discussion, parallels were drawn to the media in Manipur.

Many speakers observed that media is like any other industry and should be financially sound enough to sustain itself but media should also be socially responsible.

An exhibition of various works of NGOs like Spastic Society, Manipur Voluntary Health Association, Childline, New Age and Halfway Home was also organised within the framework of the programme.

The exhibits highlighted various issues such as addiction, AIDS, disabilities etc.

Later Young Achiever's Award was presented Th Jogendrajit for his outstanding performance in the Manipur media.

Jogendrajit is currently pursuing MA degree in the Mass Communication Department of Manipur University.

Prizes were also distributed to the school children for the three best captions submitted during the caption writing competition held during school campaigns in the city.

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