Newmai News Network
Imphal | September 12
Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, Imphal organized a one-day media workshop ‘Vartalap’ on the theme ‘How to make our cities better’ at the conference hall of Hotel Classic in Imphal on September 12.
The workshop was inaugurated by Director MAHUD, Harikumar, who lighted the inaugural lamp of the workshop in presence of Director PIB, Imphal Abhishek Dayal, and other dignitaries.
In the morning session, four resources persons – Harikumar, Director (MAHUD); Y Narmada Devi, State Mission Director, Town Planning Department; M Manas Singh, Associate Town Planner gave a power point presentation on Smart City Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transportation (AMRUT).
N Sabita, expert on Gandhian Thought delivered a speech on the subject and Gandhi’s message for the upliftment of masses.
The afternoon session was graced by Member of Parliament, (Lok Sabha) Dr RK Ranjan Singh and Director General of NEZ, PIB , LR Vishwanath as chief guest and guest of honor respectively.
In his speech, Dr Ranjan stated that media persons have a great role to play in dissemination of information pertaining to the implementation of different government schemes and policies.
“There is a great role to be played by media in the development of the capital city into a modern smart city. Please do inseminate the initiatives being taken up by the government for the welfare and development of the state, and the capital city,” he appealed.
While highlighting the initiatives of the government, the Lok Sabha MP said that media also need to have a close vigilant in the implementing processes so as to point the flaws and give the government a chance to rectify the flaws.
He further urged the media persons to be vigilant and take photographs of those who throw garbage on the road and get it published so that such practices will not happen again.
He also urged the media persons to go for investigative reporting of all the developmental projects and facilities including PDS and DBT provided by the government so that it can be known whether it reached the needy people or delivered to the public.
DG NEZ, PIB Guwahati, LR Vishwanath, in his speech termed the media as “creamy layer” of masses and the government. "Media have a great role to play in realizing the dreams of making a developed, clean Imphal," he added.
According to Vishwanath, in today’s world, media acts as a “very sensitive medium” to educate the people on the government initiatives on development.
"It will not be possible for the government to achieve the goal of its developmental initiatives without the feedback of the people." He then urged the media to walk an extra mile to highlight the government initiatives towards all round developments of the state, particularly to achieve the goal of developmental schemes and projects.
