Imphal (PIB): Press Information Bureau (PIB), Imphal organised a one-day media workshop “Vartalap” in Thoubal district on Wednesday.
The workshop was organised as a part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting media outreach strategy that conceptualized to act as a bridge between the masses and the government by empowering journalists with authentic information about government schemes and policies.
More than 30 journalists from across Thoubal and Kakching districts attended the workshop held at the Election Counting Hall of Thoubal DC office.
Deputy Commissioner Thoubal A Subhash Singh graced the inaugural function of the workshop as Chief Guest while Premlata Loitam, Media and Communication Officer (MCO) of PIB, Imphal attended as President. Senior SP Jogeshchandra Haobijam also attended the function as Guest of Honour.
In his address, Subhash appreciated the efforts of PIB Imphal for organising the media workshop which he termed as the best platform for dialogue between media and government.
He said that media people need to have an in-depth knowledge of the government schemes and policies as the flow of proper information is very important so that people get authentic information at the ground level.
While speaking on the importance of media interaction with the government, the DC assured the district administration of organising a similar workshop in the district sooner or later.
He said, “Media’s role in information dissemination is paramount. It is the most efficient mechanism to inform people of the policies and schemes of the government.”
Jogeshchandra said that the workshop will help improve the capability of the media people in disseminating policies and schemes of both the Central and State Governments to the masses.
He termed the PIB as one of the most important nodal agencies that disseminate government’s information to the people through the media.
The SP further said that journalists should amplify the information shared by various government agencies and help propagate the message of development among the masses.
Highlighting the purpose of organising the workshop, Premlata said that the PIB Imphal is playing an important role in passing government’s information to the masses through the media.
The main purpose behind organising the workshop was to reach out to the local media to highlight different initiatives of the Central Government for the benefit of the common people, she asserted.
Earlier, Information Assistant (IA) Pushpa Maibam of PIB Imphal welcomed the dignitaries and participants of the workshop while delivering the keynote address of the workshop.
Being the fourth pillar of democracy, the media needs to be very well informed about the schemes of the government so that it reaches the masses, she said.
The vartalap will also provide a platform for free flow of conversation between government agents and the media, she added.
Three resource persons presented their papers on the government policy and welfare schemes during the technical session that followed the inaugural function.
District Social Welfare Officer, Thoubal Kangujam Nongpoknganba Salaicha and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thoubal Zilla Parishad Kshetrimayum Umananda presented papers on social security schemes of the Central and State Governments being implemented in the district respectively while Dr Chinglen Maisnam, Professor of Economics Department of Manipur University talked on “The India’s Act East Policy and its Impacts in Manipur”.
Giving a detailed presentation on the social security schemes being implemented in the district, Nongpoknganba Salaicha emphasised on recently launched new schemes of the State Government.
CEO Umananda, in his presentation, highlighted the problems being faced in the implementation of MGNREGA scheme in the state, particularly in Thoubal district.
Presenting his paper on “The India’s Act East Policy and its Impacts in Manipur” Dr Chinglen Maisnam termed the policy as a symbol of India’s attention for the North East Region.
“In the absence of economic, social and physical infrastructures, mere opening up of the NE region to the global capital flow, trade and the much-hyped Act-East Policy and Make in Manipur will further increase regional divide and development disparities,” he said.
Later, an engaging interactive session was held with the journalists. The workshop saw an active participation of more than 30 journalists from the city.
