Sikkim government proposes Pension scheme to eligible Journalists- IPR Department to work out on it with the Press Club of Sikkim. Vicennial ceremony of PCS celebrated

S.B Blone receiving the award

IPR, Gangtok, July 17 2022 : The Press Club of Sikkim today organised a programme to commemorate the twenty years of its establishment amidst the presence of dignitaries from the country and abroad at Manan Kendra in Gangtok.

The programme had the presence of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as the Chief Guest of the ceremony and Minister LN Sharma as the guest of honour.

The Press and Media fraternity and other programme participants were excited and eager to be part of the ceremony, which would today honour and felicitate the best performing journalists in Sikkim, according to the purview set by the representatives of the Press Club of Sikkim, for the selection.

The programme  started with the lighting of the inaugural lamp and the ceremonial cake cutting by Chief Minister Tamang, followed by other dignitaries on stage.

The programme continued with the welcome speech by the President of the Press Club of Sikkim, Sekhar Khawas, wherein he expressed gratitude to the invitees for their gracious presence in the ceremony. 

Sujal Pradhan receiving the award

Khawas discussed the importance of news and its proper dissemination for the benefit of society. He said that information is the benchmark that helps growth and development for every sustainable livelihood, ultimately leading to progress. Khawas also briefed the audience regarding establishing the Press Club of Sikkim on 17th July 2002 and its twenty years of experience that completes today. The role of the press as the fourth pillar of democracy is apparent in  Indian Democracy, and its role in society is essential for every journalist to fulfill this commitment of delivering news earnestly, he added.

The Press Club felicitated the founding members of the Press Club of Sikkim to the following members; C.K Dorjee, Kishor Moktan, Kamal Mukhiya, Karma Sonam Choden Lepcha, Subash Deepak, Milan Katwal, H.K Khawas, Khagendra Mani Pradhan, Jiwan Katwal, Bhim Rawat and B.P Bajgai.

Bhim Rawat receiving the award

The programme also had the presence of  V.Krishna Ananth, Associate Professor at the Department of History, Sikkim University. In his short speech, he disseminated a brief historical and literary scrutiny of Indian Journalism from the Gandhian Era to the present. The press exercises immense power and influence over society and has commensurate responsibility, so truth and the public's right to information should be the essential foundation for every journalist, added Ananth.

The Press Club awarded the Varishtha Patrakar Samman 2022 to the Veteran Journalist  S.B Blone. Likewise, the Lagansheel Yuva Patrakar Samman 2022 was conferred to  Sujal Pradhan, founder of Sikkim Review, while the prestigious  Kanchendzonga Kalam Puraskar 2022 was awarded to Bhim Rawat, founder of Swatantra Manch through auspices of the Chief Minister. On the same note, the Government of Sikkim also presented the amount of Rupees 51 thousand to all the awardees.

Earlier, the house also mourned for the departed journalists who had been a part of the Journalist fraternity in Sikkim.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang

In his address, the Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, congratulated the Press Club of Sikkim for the 20th Foundation Day. 

The Chief Minister launched a special Press sticker prepared by the Press Club of Sikkim in coordination with Sikkim Police. The sticker was established to address the concern of misuse of similar stickers by individuals posing as journalists. 

The Chief Minister also launched the second edition of 'Samvahak,' a publication of the Press Club of Sikkim.

On this occasion, the Press Club of Sikkim also felicitated the Chief Minister with Memento and shawl.

Chief Minister Tamang, in his address, congratulated the recipients of the Kanchenjunga Kalam Purashkar, Bhim Rawat, recipient of Lagansheel Yuva Patrakarita Purashkar, Sujal Pradhan, and felicitated senior journalist S.B. Blone. 

He congratulated the President and Members of the Press Club of Sikkim on its 20th Foundation Day. He remembered the role of the founding members for their far-sightedness in establishing an umbrella organisation for the welfare and unity of the press fraternity. 

The Chief Minister announced an award called 'Teesta Rangit Aviral Kalam Purashkar,' a  Cash Award of  One Lakh One Thousand to be conferred by the Government of Sikkim to one deserving journalist on the occasion of the Founders Day of the Press Club of Sikkim every year.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has fulfilled all the demands and aspirations of journalists and the Press Club of Sikkim. He cited the example of the Press Club Bhawan, which was handed over to the organisation. He suggested that the Press Club members of Sikkim make commercial use of the facility to generate revenue for self-sustenance. 

The Chief Minister said that the Government has created an environment for free and fair journalism to flourish in the State.

In his message to the media fraternity, he urged them to inculcate depth and analysis in their reporting and advocate for truth. 

In response to his meeting with Executive Members of the Press Club of Sikkim on the 14th of July, the Chief Minister said that he would fulfill all their priority demands.

The first demand was for pensions for journalists. He said the IPR Department should devise a mechanism in consultation with the Press Club of Sikkim. 

The Chief Minister said that a sum of Rupees Twenty Lakhs has been allocated for fellowship programmes and study tours for journalists. 

He also shared that he has been providing medical assistance to journalists in need. He assured that the Government would work out a way to provide Medical Insurance to journalists.

In response to the demand for enhancement of Government advertisement rates, he urged the IPR Department to prepare a proposal on priority. 

He also assured that the Government would keep the media fraternity outside the purview of austerity measures. 

The Chief Minister assured to provide all possible assistance from the Government for the growth and upliftment of the media fraternity in the state. He also announced to provide Rs.10 lakh under Patrakar Kalyan Kosh for the maintenance of the Press Club building. 

Chief Minister Tamang reiterated that the Government would always lend a supportive hand to every endeavour of the Press Club of Sikkim and journalists in general. 

He extended his gratitude to senior journalists from Nepal and neighbouring regions for their valuable presence in the programme. 

The Chief Minister, in his speech, also congratulated the Sikkim Government Law College for securing the 28th position in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2022. Total Institute Participated in NIRF in 2022 was 7,254, out of which Sikkim Govt. Law college has secured 28th rank in the Law Category.

L.N Sharma, Minister

The Chief Minister concluded his address by appealing to the people of Sikkim to participate whole heartedly in the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign initiated by the Government of India by unfurling the National Flag in every home from the 1st of August. He said that this gesture would be an honour and acknowledgment of the sacrifice of the freedom fighters and to celebrate the sense of accomplishment of India as an independent nation.

Earlier, the Press Club fraternity also presented a cultural variety show.

Minister for Information and Public Relations, Lok Nath Sharma, in his address, remembered and paid his tribute to the founding members of the Press Club of Sikkim.

He articulated the importance of journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy and the reflection of society.

The Minister thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for initiating a cash award of Rs. Fifty-One Thousand each to all the Awardees on the occasion of Foundation Day of Press Club of Sikkim. He said that this would become a regular feature every year. 

Minister Sharma touched upon the initiatives taken by the State Government for the upliftment of the media fraternity. 

V.Krishna Ananth, Associate Professor at the Department of History, Sikkim University

He further urged the journalists to continue lending their support by providing their views and perspectives on the developmental activities of the Government. 

Minister Lok Nath Sharma, in his speech, said that the announcement of an annual financial cash award of Rs 51 thousand to the recipient of Kanchanjunga Kalam Puraskar, Laganseel Yuwa Patrakarita Puraskar, made by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, is one of the historic decisions in favour of the press and media fraternity. 

He underlined the role of media persons for comprehensive analysis and evaluation of the subject of coverage and to act as a reflecting mirror for society. He stressed prioritising research reporting and providing a wide range of coverage to bring out undiscovered facts from all nooks and corners of society.

He also drew light on the existence of a healthy democratic setup in the state and also acknowledged the hardship and challenges that a journalist has to come across before disseminating the news. Minister added that the emergence of digital media has brought a new dimension to existing journalism scenarios and emphasized authentication and accountability of responsible media.

Earlier in the programme, the recipient of the Kanchenjunga Kalam Purashkar, Bhim Rawat, acknowledged his gratitude to the organising committee for awarding him the prestigious award. He shared his experiences while establishing the Press Club of Sikkim in  2002 and thanked all the club members and the media fraternity for accomplishing the envisioned goals. 

The Programme was also attended by the Deputy Speaker, Sangay Lepcha, Minister, L.N Sharma, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Press Advisor to CM, Political Secretary to CM, Press Secretary to CM, Advisor IPR Department, Birendra Tamling, Chairperson Sikkim Film Promotion Board, Pooja Sharma, Advisors, Chairpersons, Adhyaksha Zilla Panchayat East, Upadhyaksha Zilla Panchayat East, Deputy Mayor, Councillors, DGP, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretary IPR Department, Smt. Siphora Targen, Heads of Departments, officials from Government of Sikkim, Presidents of different organisations, Members of the Press Club of Sikkim, Journalists from media organisations, and guest journalists.  

The celebration concluded with the words of thanks from the General Secretary, Press Club of Sikkim, Dilli Ram Dulal.