IT News
Imphal , Oct 27
Memoirs of Khelen Thokchom, the renowned Journalist who had left for heavenly abode on April 1, 2018, were recounted today on his 59th Birth Anniversary observed at Manipur Press Club. The Birth Anniversary observance was organised by Khelen Thokchom Trust. On the occasion, the 2nd media fellowship conferred by the Khelen Thokchom Trust since last year has been conferred to staff reporter of Imphal Free Press, Babie Shirin. This year topic of the fellowship programme is on the theme – ‘Water crisis and its management’ in Manipur. The media fellowship contain a sum of Rs. 50,000/- .
Prof. MC Arun of the Manipur University while recounting his association with late Khelen Thokchom said that Manipur has lost a visionary journalist with his absence.
“He was an angry man, he was angry about the rotten system of our society, he was not happy about the attitude of the politicians, government officers and he was very unhappy and angry towards the declining morals of the youth of Manipuri Society”, Prof. MC said. He added that Khelen was a journalist who reported news and events with a cause and was never bored of starting argument with people who were in power to find his story line.
President of Editor Guild Manipur Khomdram Khogendro , while sharing his days with late Khelen Thokchom said that he had struggle a lot to reach his position until he breath his last.
“He was never a happy man, poverty had stricken him during his school and college days and his dream of continuing PhD after completing his Master degree was shattered due to his poverty”, Khogen said.
Khogen further said that Khelen Thokchom always think for the welfare of the journalist.
“This room that we are observing his 59th Birth Anniversary was constructed on his idea”, Khogendro added.
President of All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union , Bijoy Kakchingtabam also recounted on how they suffered when they started their profession.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to the portrait of late Khelen Thokchom. Certificates of the two journalists who had completed the 1st KTT media fellowship were also conferred. Booklets of the publication (Compilation from the works under the KTT media fellowship) was also released.
