Imphal (Manipur) [India], Nov 1 (ANI): The 69th Information and Public Relations Day was observed at the DIPR complex, Moirangkhom, Imphal, today.
Manipur's IPR Minister Thongam Biswajit and Commissioner (IPR) K Radhakumar Singh were the chief guest and president respectively.
It was on this day in 1949 that the publicity office of the Government of Manipur was set up under leadership of late R.K Maipaksana. As part of the celebration, a three-day DIPR festival on the government's achievements was inaugurated by Biswajit.
Several photographs depicting programmes and activities taken up by the government were also displayed on the occasion.
Biswajit said, "What the DIPR has done for the public is well known. The main objective of the DIPR is to disseminate information to the public on achievements, activities and programmes of the government from time to time. In a democracy, transparency and accountability is very important. The DIPR is the medium between the public and the government. The present government has made many changes over the last few months and more changes will take place. To bring development in all spheres, peace and public cooperation is a must."
He further said that the government is looking for new entrepreneurs to solve the state's unemployment problems. "Government is also trying hard to improve the condition of roads condition and power supply. However, works could not be done due to rainfall and time constraints. The government wants to show practically what it has done for the public. The people's reaction to what the government is doing is equally important."
The minister also said that the process for establishing a media park is almost complete and the Press Colony will also come up later. The DIPR building at Keisampat will be completed soon.
Commissioner Radhakumar said the role of the DIPR is very important.
"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. Also, the existing rules of the pension scheme and advertisement policy of the department need to be amended so that journalists and media houses would benefit. The manpower in the department is good enough as of now and the office building at Keisampat would be completed within this current financial year. Any views and opinions for improvement of the department would be welcome from the media fraternity. However, they must submit in writing," said the commissioner.
In his welcome and keynote address, IPR Director Meghachandra Kongbam emphasised the need to change the department's structure into a specialized and professional one to achieve the government's goals to inform, educate and enlighten the public.
"Social media, also known as new media, is very important nowadays for sharing information. Press releases, photos, videos etc are regularly uploaded on the platforms so that people living outside Manipur and abroad are able to know what DIPR is doing. The primary duty of the department is to carry out public relation practices to resolve the issues of the state," he observed. (ANI)
This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI