Imphal, Aug 24: Evening Daily ‘Paonilkhon’ today observed its 27th Foundation Day at Manipur Press Club here in Imphal. Director IPR, Meghachandra Kongbam graced the occasion as Chief Guest while President of the ALL Manipur Working Journalists’ Union, Wangkhemcha Shamjai presided over it. Deputy Director of IPR Chongtham Noyon and former President of AMWJU AK Sanaton attended as Guests of honours.
A special issue of one of the oldest vernacular daily was also released today in connection with the 27th Foundation Day.
In recognition to his service of W. Inaocha, who had distributed the news papers, Phaonilkhon honoured him by presenting a small token of gift.
Speaking on the occasion, Meghachandra Kongbam said that Evening papers are taking important role in a society like ours. He said people always get first hand news through evening papers and appreciates the dedication of the staffs and editorial team of evening papers.
The Director of IPR further said that the state government too in recognition to the service of the journalist fraternities and hardship faced by them has formulated certain welfare measures of the journalists fraternity. He said the government is all set to establish a Press Park in the coming days and already the state government has sanction a journalist welfare fund to help the working journalists in time of need. He give the credit to the new government led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh who was once a journalist and understood the problem being faced by the journalist of the state.
Vetaran Journalist and the one time president of the AMWJU, while speaking on the occasion calls on journalists fraternity to be more serious with their job.
“Sacrifice, sincerity essence of patriotism is a much for journalist of the state”, he added.
Earlier, Editor of the Daily Chongtham Meghabarna, in his key note speech, deliberated on the struggle he face in bringing life to the newspaper facing all odds. The role of the newspaper particular the role being taken by Paonilkhon newspaper has been categorically stated.
“Evening papers are small newspaper papers with limited audiences due to certain factors”. Meghabarna said that time limitation for distribution of the newspaper to reach the audience is the greatest challenge of eveningers in the state. He however said that the role in shaping the society should not be ignored by the people of the state particularly those in the DIPR.
On one hand the state should be proud of acknowledging the fact that in print medium media Manipur is marching far ahead when compare with other North Eastern State.
“We have now over 7 evening newspapers including English daily”, Megabarna said. He further added that the evening newspapers are small due to certain limitation and in recognition to its service the government particularly the DIPR should support these small newspapers as it stands as another pride of the state.
