Imphal, Nov 1, 2017 (DIPR) : The 69th Information and Public Relations Day was observed today at DIPR complex, Moirangkhom, Imphal with Minister (IPR), Manipur Thongam Biswajit and Commissioner (IPR) K Radhakumar Singh were the Chief Guest and President of the events. It was on this day in 1949 that a Publicity Office of the Government of Manipur had been set up with late R.K Maipaksana as its first Publicity Officer. As part of the celebration a 3-day DIPR festival on government’s achievement was also inaugurated by the Chief Guest. A number of photographs depicting several programmes and activities taken up by the government and Press Releases issued by the department were also displayed.
Speaking on the occasion, IPR Minister Thongam Biswajit said that what DIPR has done for the public was well known to the general public. The main objective of DIPR is from time to time, disseminated information to the public pertaining to achievements, activities and programmes of the govt. In democracy, transparency and accountability is very important. DIPR as a media is a medium between public and the govt. The present govt. has done so many changes in the last few months and many more changes are ahead. To bring development in all sphere, peace and public cooperation is a must and urges constructive criticism from the public for good governance.
The minister further said that govt. is looking for more new entrepreneur to solve the unemployment problems of the state. Govt. is also trying hard for improvement of the road condition and improvement of power supply in the state. However, works could not be done well due to rainfall and time constraint. Govt. wants to show practically what govt. has done for the public. People’s reaction to what the government is doing is equally important as what the government wants to tell the people, added the minister.
While mentioning about the welfare of the Journalist Fraternity, the minister said process for establishment of Media park is about to complete and Press colony will also come up later. DIPR building at Keisampat will be completed as early as possible.
In his Presidential speech, IPR Commissioner Radhakumar said the role of the DIPR is very important and it could be considered as a two-way traffic. It is not only to inform the public about the activities and achievement of the government but to receive feedback from the public as well, the Commissioner said. Also, the existing rules of Pension scheme and Advertisement policy of the department needs to be amended so that journalist and media houses would be benefitted. The man power in the department is good enough as of now and office building at Keisampat would be completed to some extent within this current financial year. Any views and opinions for improvement of the department would be welcome from media fraternity, however they must submit in writing, said the Commissioner.
In his welcome and key note address, IPR Director Meghachandra Kongbam emphasized the need to change the structure of the department into a specialized and professional department to achieve the government’s goals to inform, educate, and to enlighten the public. Social media also known as new media is very important now adays for sharing information. The department is able to launched facebook, twitter, youtube and even mobile apps. Press releases, photos, videos etc were uploaded and post in these apps and people living outside Manipur and abroad are able to know what DIPR is doing. The primary duty of the department is to carry out the public relation practices to resolve the issues of the state, he observed.
The celebration not only remembers the first conceptualization of government publicity but also gives a message to the masses that the state government has an organization responsible for dissemination of information of public interest. Set up with a very limited number of manpower, infrastructure and equipment, the information machinery of the state government has now considerably been expanded following its up-gradation as a Directorate.
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