Gangtok, May 14(IPR): A valedictory dinner programme was organised for members of the All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU), who have been on a five-day visit to Sikkim, by the Journalist Union of Sikkim (JUS) on May 13 at a local hotel in Gangtok. The interactive programme also had the presence of representatives from the Department of Information and Public Relations (IPR).
The group of journalists from Manipur was led by Indian Journalists Union President Shri Geethartha Pathak which included 19 women journalists and 12 men journalists.
The event was graced by IPR Secretary, Smt Siporah G. Targain and Director IPR, Smt Benu Gurung along with Journalist Union of Sikkim President Shri Bhim Rawat and former bureaucrat Shri Kiran Rasaily.
The entourage from Manipur included three representative journalists selected from different media houses. The different media houses represented were Impact TV, ISTV, Poknapham, ICHEL Express, Morning Bell, Pandam, Imphal Free Press, Imphal Times, ISCOM, People's Chronicle, Kangleipakki Meira, Sangai Express, Eikhoigi Panthung, Leeklam, and Kangla Pao.
During the interactive session, the Manipuri journalists expressed their admiration for the management of the traffic and road management system in Sikkim. The discussion also focused on gender discrimination, the insurgency problem and its impact along with other education and literacy concerns related to Manipur.
IPR Secretary, Smt Siporah G. Targain in her address said that there is no gender discrimination in Sikkim and many Government departments are headed by women. She mentioned that there is less representation of women journalists in Sikkim and a constructive balance with an equal parity has to be immediately recognised and established in this regard. The Secretary appreciated the efforts put by young women who are coming up as journalists and also shared her compliments for Ms Nita Nirash, a bureaucrat who is now a well-known journalist in Sikkim.
IJU President, Shri Geethartha Pathak spoke on gender parity while focusing on the exchange programme between the two states. He stated, "Journalists need to fight for their rights, many journalists are attacked and sometimes even killed while on duty to safeguard and defend the truth".He also mentioned the endowment support provided to journalists in different states of northeast India. He said that the Assam Government provides Rs. 10,000 as pension to the retired journalists and the highest is being given by Arunachal Pradesh at Rs. 25,000. He said that they have now demanded a uniform pension scheme for journalists across the country.
"We are smaller states, our media houses are small, and our revenues are small. Hence, we need more assistance through advertisement and representation on the national level. We are hopeful that all help will be extended to the journalists in the future", added the IJU President Shri Geethaartha Pathak.
The participants from the visiting team were presented with books, related to the biodiversity of Sikkim and published by the IPR Department. The books were presented by IPR Secretary, Smt Siporah G. Targain and Director IPR, Smt Benu Gurung.
The programme concluded with a dinner party.