DC Cachar extends felicitation to media persons on occasion of National Press Day

Nov.16: The National Press Day was observed in a befitting manner at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner Cachar here on Monday.

On the occasion Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli held an interactive session with media persons at her conference hall where Deputy Inspector General of Police, southern range Dilip Kumar Dey, Superintendent of Police, Bhanwar Lal Meena, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajib Roy and Divisional Forest Officer, Sunnydeo Choudhury were also present. At the outset, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Roy welcomed all the journalists from the different media houses and narrated the purpose of observance of the National Press Day and its objectives.

Sharing her reaction, Deputy Commissioner, Jalli said media has faced more challenges this year to ensure coverage of events and incidents because of the COVID-19 pandemic situation and that media persons have done a commendable job in keeping people aware and updated during the pandemic. Besides the coronavirus pandemic, media is also facing various other challenges like getting adequate funding.

Speaking about the role and impact of media in the country, Jalli said the history of the nation as a democracy has been greatly shaped and influenced by the media. ‘Media had a remarkable contribution in the materialisation of various progressive steps and initiatives in the country,’ she quipped. The Deputy Commissioner also lauded the media persons of Silchar for their relentless and dedicated efforts to make sure the masses remain updated about various aspects related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on the occasion, DIG, southern range, Dey said, “The Press of the Barak Valley districts of Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj and the lone Hills district of Dima Hasao in the Southern Assam Range have been doing very active, independent and judicious reporting, and their proactive role in handling different situations at times from the front led to fruitful achievements and added positive dimensions to the law and order scenario.”

On the auspicious occasion of the National Press Day, the DIG congratulated the journalists, both print and electronic media for their active participation in the nation building process by way of their ‘independent, impartial and pragmatic presentations of facts before the readers and viewers’. Superintendent of Police, Meena, in his speech, said the role of media is most important but ‘style has changed, opinion is more, facts are less but still press moves public opinion’. He said “We have a rich history of press and I have learnt a lot”.

DFO, Choudhury appreciated the work of the media and urged them to work for betterment of the society.. He also urged them to report from ground zero which makes the news accurate and authentic. The DFO also requested the media to project authentic news since it also helps the district administration in improving its governance on various fronts.

Later, media persons were felicitated by garlanding with ‘uttorio’ by Deputy Commissioner, Jalli, DIG, southern range and SP. On the same day a programme was held jointly organised by Regional Office of Information and Public Relations, Barak valley Zone and District Administration, Cachar in association with Silchar Press Club at the Green House near Town Club ground wherein different media houses took part in discussion on the theme “Role of media during COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on media”. District Development Commissioner, Cachar, Jessica Lalsim graced the occasion as chief guest.

The president of Silchar Press Club, Bijoy Krishna Nath, veteran journalist and columnist Atin Das, Editor of Eastern Chronicle, Mahua Choudhary, Sujata Dhar and Rupam Nandi Purkayastha were also present in the programme. At the very outset of the programme the message of Chief Minister of Assam was read out. A two-minute silence was also observed to mourn the death of renowned journalist, late Ashim Dutta.

Addressing the media persons, District Development Commissioner, Lalsim said the press is the democratic foundation of a country and during the COVID-19 pandemic the media has done a commendable job. She mentioned about journalists who have had done their job relentlessly and fearlessly with some even sacrificing their lives also.

Journalists have made significant contributions during the COVID situation along with other government departments and non-government organisations. “With their help, the administration has been able to convey its message to the common man. Many have contracted the coronavirus while working and have since recovered”, she quipped. On behalf of the administration, we must congratulate them, she added. She handed over certificates to journalists Bishwakalyan Purkayastha, Uttam Sarkar, Anirban Bhattacharya and others. Besides, a certificate was also handed over to the wife of journalist Asim Dutta, who passed away due to COVID.

Around a dozen journalists of the district have been infected with the coronavirus. At the beginning of the programme, General Secretary of Silchar Press Club, Shankar Dey gave a detailed statement on behalf of the Press Club on the occasion of National Press Day. After that, Prabal Deb, an official of the Public Relations Department, read out a message of the Chief Minister to media persons on the occasion. President of the Press Club, Bijay Krishna Nath, said, “The media has faced many dangers in the corona situation. The newspapers have also taken a lot of risks in terms of business.” The journalists who were accorded felicitation on this day shared their different perceptions. In particular, Aditi Dutt, the wife of the late journalist Asim Dutt, shared her feelings. “In the last few months, many people, including journalists, have died of viral infections,” she said.

Many people outside the media who attended the event praised the activities of journalists during difficult situations. Among them were social activist Sharifuzzaman Laskar and former student leader Roopam Nandi Purkayastha.