I Arun of Ereibak bags best scribe award
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01: The Information and Public Relations Day, 2006 was observed along with conferring the Manipur State Journalist Award for this year to editor of Ereibak daily Irengbam Arun during a function organised by Department of Information and Public Relations at its office complex here today.

Speaking as chief guest of the function, Information Minister TN Haokip, while acknowledging that Manipur is not behind other States in terms of development of information technology, called upon the journalist fraternity to take more interest in reporting on rural economic development programme and to cut down their enthusiasm on crime reporting.

He said development of information technology over the past few years in Manipur, despite its miniature size, has been phenomenal and today it is not lagging behind other States in comparison.

However, most of the newspapers published here seem to give more coverage to crime reporting.

Irengbam Arun

This may be curbed to some extent and more attention may be paid in reporting on rural economic development, he opined.

Dwelling at length on the importance of information technology in the development of a country, the Minister said it is through the medium of print and electronic media that information about the development works being taken up the Government are reaching out to the people.

Describing the Information Department as a mouthpiece of the Government, the Minister took note of the need to improve the existing Department and pledged to look into the necessary infrastructural requirements.

The chief guest also presented the State Journalist Award, 2006 to Irengbam Arun, editor of Ereibak daily and hailed him as an all rounder journalist.

In his acceptance speech of the award consisting of one citation and Rs 5000 in cash, Arun humbly admitted that the credit of the award should go to his team members, without whose contribution, he would not be able to do anything.

In his presidential address, Commissioner (Information) H Devkishore Sharma said though a minor Department, DIPR is an important Department through which the achievements of the Government are being communicated to the people.

The Department has also been extending pension facilities to retired journalists, he said, adding that efforts are being made to increase the pension amount as well as the amount of the State journalist award.

Along with setting up an information cell at Imphal under North East Council, arrangement would also be made to provide internet networking between the Head office and other District Information Offices very soon, he assured.

Devkishore also gave the assurance of looking into the grievances of the employees of the Department.

Former news editor of All India Radio, Imphal S Mangi Singh spoke on the role of media in detailed during the function.

The function commenced with the welcome address given by Director of DIPR T Sitlhou and concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by APO (Administration) A Balkrishna Sharma.

A special issue of the bi-monthly journal of the Department was also released to mark the occasion.

The Information and Public Relations Day was also observed at Chandel district today.

The observance function organised by the District Information Office held at its office complex with SDO of Chandel Sub-Division G Budhachandra Sharma as chief guest and District Information Officer Chongtham Ibungobi Singh as president.

The main objective of the observance was to make the people understand on the role of the Information and Public Relations Department in strengthening the relationship between the Govt and the people.

The day was also observed at Thoubal and Bishnupur district under the aegis of their respective District Information Offices.