Manipur CM lauds role of press

Correspondent IMPHAL, January 6 [dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur Press Club is 39 years old today. The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU), the apex body of journalists working in Manipur, celebrated its XXXIX foundation day at its Majorkhul, Imphal complex today. With the release of a souvenir, a formal foundation day function was held at the Manipur Press club premises this morning with Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh as the chief guest. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, Social Welfare Minister Mirabai, Parliamentary secretary K Meghachandra, Indian Journalists Union (IJU) president SN Sinha and its secretary Geetartha Pathak and AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai Singh were the guests of honour. Dr Kh Palin of Shija Hospitals and Dr Th Dhabali of Babina Diagnostics Centre besides others also attended the day’s gathering.Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Ibobi lauded the role of press in a democratic country. “Being a citizen of the vast country, I’m really proud to have the freedom of expression,” Ibobi said. The government will always welcome the suggestion in making the developed society, he added. He also expressed the need to have constructive media suggestions in strengthening the democracy and to bring a peaceful and developed land. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam also shared the role of media in this modern era of information technology during the day’s gathering. IJU president SN Sinha urged the government to provide the journalists welfare schemes in view of the price rise. “Let the journalists work in a better atmosphere,” he stressed. Sharing a similar sentiment, President of Journalists’ Union of Assam and secretary of IJU Geetartha Pathak informed that state governments of Tripura and Assam provide pension of Rs 6000 and Rs 5000 to the working journalists in the respective states. “I wish the Manipur government will also do the same in the interest of the journalists community,” he hoped. Around 24 journalists were killed in Assam while four to five in Tripura and six to seven in Manipur lost their lives, he added. “So the welfare schemes such as insurance cover should be implemented in Manipur too,” he said. AMWJU president Wangkhemcha Shamjai also spoke on the occasion where a souvenir of the Manipur Press Club was also released.