ITANAGAR, June 23: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, organized a one-day media workshop (Vartalap) at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) on Friday. The workshop, themed ‘9 year Seva, Sushasan & Garib Kalyan,’ aimed to enhance the knowledge of journalists about various centrally and state sponsored schemes for the welfare and development of the people.
The event was attended by Itanagar Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom as the chief guest. In his address, Potom encouraged the media to provide feedback on the achievements of centrally and state sponsored schemes to the concerned departments. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship between the government and journalists to ensure that the benefits of government development schemes reach the common public. Potom highlighted the successful implementation of numerous schemes over the past nine years, benefiting a significant number of individuals, including bank loans and subsidies.
Director of the Department of Information Public Relation (DIPR), Onyok Pertin, advised journalists from electronic and print media to disseminate accurate information about government programs and policies to the masses. Pertin emphasized the interdependent relationship between the government and media, stressing their vital role in raising awareness and providing feedback to the government regarding schemes and initiatives.
Assistant Director of PIB, K. Sonikumar Singh, explained that the purpose of the workshop was to establish a platform for collaboration between the government and media at the grassroots level. Singh recognized the media’s power in bringing people’s issues to the forefront and enabling effective grievance redressal. He emphasized the media’s role as a watchdog for government schemes and its ability to provide valuable inputs to the administration, which can then be conveyed to the central level by PIB.
The workshop featured technical sessions and an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing journalists to seek clarification on various government schemes. Resource persons, including Dr. Ratna Tayeng from Dera Natung Government College, discussed the National Education Policy and its implementation in the state. Representatives from the Department of Information Technology & Communication and the State Institute of Rural Development also shared insights on digital initiatives and rural development, respectively. Additionally, the Chief Manager of SBI Itanagar provided information on banking-related central government schemes and the disbursement of loans to beneficiaries.
The workshop concluded with the announcement that a Media Centre would be established shortly after the official launch of the PIB office in Itanagar.
Overall, the workshop served as a valuable platform for journalists to enhance their understanding of centrally and state sponsored schemes, enabling them to disseminate accurate and informative content to the public. The event emphasized the collaborative relationship between the government and media in promoting development and welfare initiatives.
