Media workshop ‘Vartalap’ on 11 years of Modi government held in Dimapur

DIMAPUR — The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Kohima, conducted a one-day media workshop ‘Vartalap’ on the theme ‘11 years of Prime Minster Narendra Modi Government’ here at Hotel Saramati on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, thanked the PIB for organising the workshop and emphasised the vital role of the media in disseminating government policies and programmes. The DC expressed hope that such initiatives would enlighten the media fraternity and through them, benefit the wider public, both in urban and rural areas.

Chang noted that in the past 11 years, numerous schemes have been launched across various departments, with the media playing a key role in spreading awareness.

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However, he pointed out that many beneficiaries, especially among the Nagas, often hesitate to share their success stories. He encouraged the media to highlight these stories so that others, particularly in rural areas, can be inspired and economically uplifted through such examples.

The guest of honour for the event, PRO Defence for Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, Amit Shukla, highlighted that the Ministry of Defence has declared the current year as the ‘Year of Reforms,’ focusing on transforming the armed forces into a modern, combat-ready force and promoting India as a credible defence exporter.

He also emphasised the importance of veteran welfare, pride in Indian heritage, and the adoption of global best practices.

In Nagaland, the PRO acknowledged the defence forces’ vital role in maintaining peace and supporting the state through humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. Shukla highlighted the Project Sevak of the BRO for significantly improving road infrastructure since 1961, despite tough terrain and security challenges.

He noted the efforts of the Army Recruitment Office in providing opportunities for Naga youth and the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which currently has over 9,000 cadets in the state, for empowering and engaging youth across districts.

He also mentioned that a unit from Kohima is also in the process of shifting to Chümoukedima, where a dedicated NCC training academy is expected to be established shortly.

Shukla urged upon the media to continue playing its crucial role in informing and inspiring the public as the journey towards a self-reliant and developed India cannot be travelled alone and added that the media is their bridge to the people, amplifying stories, building trust, and fostering unity.

Delivering the opening remarks, Deputy Director and Head of Office, PIB North East Zone, Guwahati, Pavni Gupta, said that the Vartalap event is a one-day media workshop aimed at fostering informal conversations with media professionals about their challenges and the initiatives of the central government in Nagaland.

It also serves as a platform to explore ways to strengthen the relationship between the media and the government.

In addition to these discussions, the workshop included sessions on emerging trends in the media industry, fact-checking and introducing new tools available for verifying information and highlighting new and relevant sources of news, particularly useful for publishers managing their own media portals and channels.

Meanwhile, in the technical session, PIB fact check and related issues was addressed by Pavni Gupta,  while various schemes and projects under the health department were addressed and highlighted by resource persons Dr. Khelito Zhimomi, Joint Director; Dr. Thomas Keppen, Deputy Director; Alongla Aier, PMJAY (Operation Manager) under Directorate of Health & Family Welfare.