24 Sep :Parliamentary Secretary for Information & Public Relations and Economics & Statistics R. Tohanba inaugurated the two day ‘IPR Officers Conference cum Capacity Building Orientation’ at the IPR Citadel, Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Kohima, Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering of District Public Relations Officers, Information Officers, Sub Divisional Information Officers, Information Assistants, News Assistants and Language Translators from all over the state, R. Tohanba called upon the IPR officials to remember that the department serves as link between the government and the people. He said the department not only informs the public on the plans, policies and programmes of the government but also works to ensure people’s participation in the successful implementation of different developmental programmes and schemes. He said that this task is a challenging one due to difficult terrain, remoteness of areas and the inadequate reach of communication in many parts of our state.
Being one of the oldest department in the state, the department’s responsibility, stature and importance has increased, R. Tohanba stated. He urged the officials and said that it is their duty to disseminate the policies and programes of the government in the right perspective. He lauded the role played by the IPR officials in disseminating news about the activities of the government from all corners of the state, to the state capital for widespread dissemination.
The Parliamentary Secretary said that in keeping with the state government’s declaration of 2008 as the ‘Year of Capacity Building’, it is the department’s endeavour to ensure that the department does not lag behind in this venture. Stating that today we live in a very progressive and competitive world, R. Tohanba said that our meaningful survival depends on our ability to compete with others. He stated that the need for upgrading the skills and capabilities of all levels of officials cannot be overemphasized and must continue at all times.
Also speaking at the function, Commissioner & Secretary, IPR & Horticulture, Sentiyanger Imchen, IAS encouraged the IPR officials and said that the role of the IPR officials needs no mention and said that it is the zeal to perform which is required in the present day. He urged the officials to be sincere in the discharge of their duties. He also said that we need to adapt to the changing scenario. He impressed upon the officials and said ‘think positive and act big’.
Director, IPR, Imokokba gave an overview of the department and highlighted the various activities of the department. Joint Director, Pausui Zeliang, who presided over the meeting, said that the programme has been organized at the initiative of the Parliamentary Secretary. Vote of thanks was proposed by Joint Director, Chipeni Merry. Special songs were presented by Supongliba, IA, Mokokchung.