The Guwahati office of Press Information Bureau (PIB) organised a media workshop titled ‘Vartalap’ at a city hotel, Guwahati today on the theme of 9 Years of Seva, Sushashan & Garib Kalyan.
The workshop was aimed at sensitizing mediapersons to the need for disseminating information about the developmental activities of the state and the central government. It was attempted to provide valuable insights from experts but also facilitate a constructive dialogue between the government & media. The workshop was divided into three panel discussions – ‘Propelling Life: Environment & Sustainability’, ‘Northeast: Engine of Growth’, ‘Affordable & Accessible Healthcare for all’.
Addressing the first session, Mrinal Saikia, MLA Khumtai stressed on plastic management to save the environment. For effective activities on environment protection he also highlighted the role of ‘Janabhagidari’, that is collective effort of people.
Another panelist Dr. Arup Kr. Misra, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Assam said, “Our problem of pollution cannot be compared with other parts of the country. Assam is still in better condition compared to the other parts of the country, however, people are yet to realise their role in controlling pollution.” He also pointed out that deforestation is the main issue for river enlargement and increasing turbidity of rivers.
While addressing the session Ravi Shankar Ravi, Editor, Dainik Purbodaya said that media must take initiative to highlight the positive stories where attempts have been made for protecting the environment. It will inspire the public to follow environment friendly behavior, he added.
The second panel discussion focused on the topic Northeast : Engine of Growth. Esteemed panelists were Kuladhar Saikia, Ex-DGP, Assam, Samudra Gupta Kasyap, SIC & Author, Cmde Rajiv Ashok (R), MD NERAMAC, Sh. Lemli Loyi, GM, NEDFI and Sherry Lalthangzo, Economic Advisor, NEC, where panelists discussed how Northeast achieved progress in the last decade. Lemli Loyi in his address tried to encourage the MSME sectors. He spoke about the Advancing North East portal and asked the media persons to disseminate information about this portal so that people can utilize the resources in the portal at their best. Rajiv Ashok in his address said that there is immense potential for the youth from non-agricultural background to take up entrepreneurship in medicinal plants & horticulture. Samudragupta Kashyap in his address said — in the last few years, we have seen a decrease in this huge mental gap between “mainland India” and “Northeast India” one reason being – Celebration of the heroes, contribution of the people of Northeast.
In the concluding panel discussion on ‘Affordable & Accessible Healthcare for all’, panelists were Dr Ashok Puranik, Executive Director AIIMS Guwahati, Sh. Siddharth Singh IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Medical Education & Research, Government of Assam and Dr. Pankaj Thomas, Senior Consultant, PHP&E, RRCNE, who discussed elaborately on the topic affordable & accessible healthcare for all. Dr Puranik in his address highlighted the development of health scenario in Northeast.
Siddarth Singh said that PM Ayushman Yojana is becoming the biggest support for people by which affordability is ensured for all including the poor. Dr. Pankaj Thomas, Senior Consultant in his address, highlighted the role of ‘Mission Indradhanush’ as a National Immunisation programme to accelerate PAN India vaccination coverage, which improved the status of IMR and MMR in the region.
In the inaugural address PIB Deputy Director, Ms Pavni Gupta highlighted the aims and objective of the programme. She said — Vartalap is a medium to set up bridge between government and media in order to reach out to the people at grassroot.
Three panel discussion was moderated respectively by Barnali Mahanta (M&CO PIB), Sh. Manas Pratim Sarma (Editor, Akashvani Guwahati) and Ms. Smita Saikia (M&CO PIB).
