SR JOURNALIST JOSEPH LEPCHA ACCORDED ‘KANCHENJUNGA KALAM PURASKAR 2016’

Sikkim News, VOS, 17 July 2016, Gangtok: Prominent journalist and multi-talented facet Mr. Joseph Lepcha from Sikkim, who is currently working as the bureau Chief of National Hindi Daily, Dainik Jagran, was today conferred with prestigious “Kanchenjunga Kalam Puraskar” for his contribution towards journalism. 

On the occasion of 14th foundation day celebration of Press Club of Sikkim, the Governor Mr. Shriniwas Patil along with the Minister for Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim, Mr. A.K Ghatani, Chief guest and the guest of honour for the celebration respectively, presented Mr. Joseph Lepcha with cash award, citation, shawl and memento for his contribution.

Mr. Lepcha has been in this profession for last 25 years. In a function organized at mini auditorium of Manan Kendra, Press Club of Sikkim also felicitated journalist Ms. Nita Nirash, awarded young journalist from West Sikkim,Mr. K.N Sharma with “Lagansheel Yuva Patrakar Samman” and Patrakarita Gaurav Samman award was presented to Mr. Kashi Raj Pradhan, posthumously, who is also known as the father of journalism in Sikkim, Governor and the Minister did the honours. 

In his address the Governor Mr. Shriniwas Patil while congratulating all the awardees also suggested that from now on just like Bhanu Bhaka Acharya is known as Adi Kabi, similarly Mr. Kashi Raj Pradhan should be addressed as Adi Patrakar, Shri Kashi Raj Pradhan from now on, for his unparalleled contribution in the field of journalism and education, in Sikkim. 

He also appealed to the journalist to cover everything and not hide anything and be absolutely authentic with their stories and news items. Journalist should be like mirror and should only show the truth and nothing else, the Governor stressed. 

Similarly Minister Mr. A.K Ghatani in his address hoped that such prestigious occasion like the foundation day of press club will see more participation of people from all walks of life, as the journalists are the voice of the people and society, therefore people should come forward in numbers and participate in such occasion, he added. 

He also highlighted how the government of Sikkim and the department of Information and Public Relations has always come forward to help the press club of Sikkim right from its foundation year, when the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling himself inaugurated the Press Club of Sikkim, he informed. 

He also assured to extend full cooperation from his department as well as from personal front towards the Press Club Sikkim. 
The 14th Foundation day celebration programme which was neatly punctuated by cultural show by local artists also saw awardees addressing the gathering and share their experiences. 
The daughter in law of Mr. Kashi Raj Pradhan who received the award on his behalf also spoke on the occasion. 

KalimNews: Lepcha wrote in Facebook social network, "It gives me immense satisfaction and invigorating to my profession further; and grants me to pledge a responsible journalism as well. A free press often been called the oxygen of democracy, one cannot survive without the other. As of now I am being belligerence at the frontier of sensitive responsible commitment. I have been in this profession since twenty five years. Infact, this award is also signified as silver jubilee milestone of my consistent approach towards journalism. Once again thanks to all for the encouraging comments and likes. I could not respond each and everyone, but I have gone through all comments. My heartiest thanks to Press Club of Sikkim, headed by Bhim Rawat and his entire team members for making me privileged. I thank to all the fraternity members and all the houses for I am being placed in the front page of almost all Newspapers. But, I don’t think I deserved this much of extreme intensity of honor. प्रेस क्लब अव सिक्किमद्वारा कञ्चनजङ्घा कलम पुरस्कार 2016 ले सम्मान गर्ने खबरले म अति नै हर्षित बनेको छु। यस पुरस्कार सार्वजनिक भए पश्चात फेसबुक, वास्टएप, इंबक्स तथा मोबाइलबाट अविराम बधाई अनि शुभकामनाहरू प्राप्त भइरहेको छ। यस सुभेच्छाले ममा ऊर्जा थपने कार्य भएको छ। यहाँहरू प्रति म अभारी छू। भविष्यमा अझ दायित्वबोध पत्रकारिताको प्रतिबद्धतामा अडिग रहेर पेशालाई गतिशील बनाउँने छु। अन्तमा पुन सबै प्रति आभार व्यक्त गर्दछु। मलाई पुरस्कारको भागिदारी ठानेर नाम चयन गर्नुभएकोमा भीम राउत अनि उनका दलका सबै मित्रवर प्रति पनि आभार व्यक्त गर्दछु।"
Source & Courtesy: http://voiceofsikkim.com/sr-journalist-joseph-lepcha-accorded-kanchenjunga-kalam-puraskar-2016/ and facebook