EMN Desk
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 30
And so, a piece of history – however “trivial” in stature and in nature it might appear – occurred on Sunday evening when the distinguished resident of our Raj Bhavan, Nagaland governor PB Acharya, came calling at Eastern Mirror office here at Signal Basti in Dimapur.
It was historical because – in the words of our editor Witoubou Newmai – the Governor’s visit was “unprecedented”, at least in the narration of Eastern Mirror. Equally, it was also significant if only because of the reason that none of the former residents of our Raj Bhavan had dared knock on the doors of our local newspapers and share an experience as simple as interact over a cup of tea, with the members of the fourth estate here in Nagaland.
Yet, in more ways than one, it came as no surprise that our incumbent Governor would break the mould. Journalists in Nagaland of an older vintage, who have known Acharya years before he became the Governor and when he was still working with the state BJP, never tires of telling their younger colleagues about the humility and the “ordinariness” that defines our Governor.
While the Governor’s reported close association with an outfit has given rise to some very valid misgivings among the Naga populace, the one thing that has emerged untainted is his humility and “ordinariness.” He simply has no airs and graces about him. This aspect of the Governor was abundantly evident when he shared that he intends to “visit and share a cup of tea” with employees of Eastern Mirror any time in the future.
In his interaction with Eastern Mirror members, the Governor recalled that his first association with the Nagaland media started way back in the 1980s when he ran an ad agency for the now defunct Ura Mail, a weekly newspaper in Nagaland then.
While acknowledging the role played by the local newspapers in combating social ills, he encouraged the newsmen to focus their reportage on exposing corruption and red tapeism, highly prevalent in Nagaland today.
The Governor also shared that newspapers in Nagaland have the responsibility of educating the Naga populace on the numerous scams and “looting” that are taking place in the government sector. He specifically mentioned the state’s department of education as one sector in which the local press could, and should, seek to expose corruption.
Acharya, himself a student of journalism, also expressed surprise at learning that none of his predecessors had cared to build a personal relationship between the Raj Bhavan and the local media houses. He stated that the fourth estate, as a pillar of democracy, cannot be ignored at all.
Founding editor of Eastern Mirror, Abu Metha explained to the Governor, the history and the purpose behind the existence of Eastern Mirror. He shared that Eastern Mirror was launched at a time when there was only one broadsheet newspaper in Nagaland, and thus with an aim to provide a “wider perspective and a second opinion” while assistant editor Mathew Rongmei gave closing remarks and vote of thanks.
The editor of Eastern Mirror, Witoubou Newmai expressed his sincere hope that the Governor’s maiden visit to Eastern Mirror on Sunday would be the germination of a lasting relationship between the newspaper and Raj Bhavan.
And from the Eastern Mirror family to the Governor, we will always have a steaming cup of tea ready for you, the Honourable Governor.
