Some of the dignitaries who participated in the one day media workshop ‘Vartalap’ on November 2.
One Day Media Workshop ‘Vartalap’ held in Kohima
Morung Express News
Kohima | November 2
Despite many of the departments capitalizing on awareness of several schemes, Thavaseelan K, IAS, Principal Director of School Education on Thursday noted that “it is never enough when it comes to creating awareness because though people are aware of the schemes by the name, the key question is, how does one access it.”
Addressing the one day media workshop ‘Vartalap’ organised by Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at De Oriental Grand in Kohima on November 2, he emphasized that unless they are able to access what is due to them, the scheme fails right there. The workshop was held under the theme, “Central Government Initiatives/ Schemes in Nagaland.”
He underlined that IEC (Information Education Communication) is an integral component of any scheme while reiterating further that creating awareness is the first key element of the scheme itself—how do you access it? and the step by step process involved in getting it, which, he added are critical aspects of the process.
He also highlighted on the kind of schemes available such as the 100% centrally funded scheme as well as those schemes where both the centre and the state have certain funding ratio. In Northeast and the hilly states, he said that, it is typically 90% from the central government and 10% is from the state government while the rest of the country have a ratio of 60:40.
Thavaseelan K, IAS further stated that there are two flagship schemes in the state of Nagaland including Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) and Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative. In relation to the CMHIS, he also pointed out that a lot of people are not aware despite the IEC happening in this regard.
Towards this end, he asserted that “the Media becomes very very critical” while also elucidating that creating awareness on the scheme is one part but also the nitty-gritty. He further suggested that media houses could cover one scheme a week by highlighting issues in practical implementation and in-depth interviews with people from the respective departments. He said this would be extremely helpful while adding that, “the success of all these schemes is the beneficiaries getting the benefit.”
Senior Journalist who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour, Okenjeet Sandham noted the one day media workshop is a very important workshop while highlighting the challenges faced by the beneficiaries during the process of applying for any of the schemes. “The problem is people are not aware, they don’t know how to go about it and it is very difficult to apply”, he said while citing the need for more awareness. He also said that the biggest problem is with the bank and underscored the need of conducting this kind of seminar with the bank. Pointing to the complicated process in this regard, he further added, the bank also has to be educated and that, they should never demand for more documents than what is required.
In his opening remarks, K Sonikumar Singh, Assistant Director, PIB Kohima said that the media workshop is the 4th Vartalap being conducted in the state of Nagaland. He stated that through the workshop, they are trying to create a platform where government departments and media personnel can exchange dialogue on the different schemes and projects while elucidating that vartalap means conversation or discussion. He also exuded hope that the workshop would give useful insights to everybody.
The resource persons for the workshop were Vedpal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest & Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Nagaland, Sani Pongen, Assistant Engineer, Directorate of School Education and Kunal Jha, Assistant Manager, Ministry of Tourism attached to Tourism Department. The topics covered were Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2023, One Nation, One Student ID- an understanding and Central Initiatives in Tourism Sector in Nagaland.
