IMPHAL, September 26: The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) sponsored 7-day Basic Course in News Reporting was formally inaugurated by holding a function at TTA Hall, Hamleikhong in Manipur’s Ukhrul district headquarters, 84 km north east of Imphal.
The programme, organised by State Institute of Journalism of DIPR, was attended by DIPR Director Meghachandra Kongbam, President of the Ukhrul District Working Journalists Association Thotsang Shaiza, President of Manipur Hill Journalists Union Sothing Shimray, Course Co-ordinator and Deputy Director IPR Ch Noyon Singh and Deputy Director Sarat who also holds DIO in-charge Ukhrul.
Speaking on the occasion chief guest Meghachandra said, the service of journalists is the human service which brings a better life of human beings.Journalists work in the mass communication media like press, radio, television, film and social media occupy a great position in the society for their commendable service of informing, educating, entertaining and enlightening the general masses. They are the teachers in a large class room of diversified masses- literate and illiterate, young ones and aged persons, different ethnic groups having different religions and ways of life.
Hence, there is a need to produce more journalists in Manipur having diverse groups of public speaking different dialects for enlightening them for a better life, the Director added.
The objective of the 7-day Basic Course is to raise the standard of journalism and to create awareness about the journalism among the young media enthusiasts in the hill areas of Manipur. The similar course will be conducted in Senapati district headquarters in the next month.
Thotsang Shaiza, President of the Ukhrul district Working Journalists Association said that it was a good step the government for imparting training to the youths of Ukhrul district in the field of journalism.
Sothing Shimray, President of Manipur Hill Journalists Union said that it was a commendable initiative of the Department of Information and Public Relations for reaching out its service for training the media enthusiasts in the hill districts of the State. As it was the first time for organising such Journalism Training Course in Ukhrul district among the hill districts, the district was fortunate for availing such opportunity.
While giving the key note address, the Course Co-ordinator and also the Deputy Director IPR, Ch Noyon Singh said the State Institute of Journalism has grown from small beginnings to its present position of importance in raising the standard of Journalism in Manipur. A number of short-term have been conducted by this Institute since its inception in 1992.
Altogether, 24 participants including four female candidates participated at the course. The actual capacity of the course was 20 seats only. The basic training course in news reporting will conclude on October 3.
