Gangtok, May 24 (IPR): Area MLA Soreng-Chakung-cum-Chairman Public Accounts Committee Government of Sikkim, Shri Aditya Golay, graced the Ram Patro Memorial Award 2023 here at a local hotel in Gangtok today.
Late Ram Patro founded SIKKIM EXPRESS and Himali Bela, and the award in his memory is presented to journalists annually on May 24th in recognition of their dedication and service through journalism.
The programme was attended by Secretary IPR, Ms. Namrata Thapa, and Press Secretary to the HCM, Shri Bikash Basnett, as the Guests of Honour. Chairperson Ram Patro Memorial Award Committee, Smt. Mala Rana Patro, Chief Editor Sikkim Express, Shri Amit Patro, President Journalist Union of Sikkim, Shri Bhim Rawat, President Press Club of Sikkim, Shri Shekhar Khawas, journalists from various media houses around Sikkim and distinguished guests were also present in the award ceremony.
Area MLA Soreng-Chakung, Shri Aditya Golay, extended his gratitude to the committee for being part of the award ceremony. He congratulated the awardees and called them shining stars of the State for contributing their good effort in their professional domain to improve and bring constructive change in society. He said that the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Sikkim Express, to commence in the near future, would be celebrated grandly and assured that his commitment to active involvement in the celebration of this event shall always remain firm and upright.
Talking about journalism, he requested the people involved with news and media to emphasize ethical journalism. Speaking on the same topic, he hoped that journalism as a subject would be disseminated to the masses, especially to youth living in rural areas. In his concluding remarks, he asked for a collaborative effort to make Sikkim the best-performing State in the Nation and an example to the World.
Press Secretary to HCM, Shri Bikash Basnett, expressed great privilege to be part of the Ram Patro Memorial Award. He applauded the contribution of late Ram Patro in taking Sikkimese journalism to another level. He congratulated the awardees and called them rising stars of our community. He assured continual assistance from State Government towards the media fraternity. He concluded his speech by looking forward to going on an excursion with journalists soon.
Secretary IPR, Ms. Namrata Thapa, in her address, expressed delight for being invited as a Guest of Honour at the prestigious award ceremony. She said the media is a vehicle of truth, an engine that drives democracy forward. Speaking about the function of media, she said that media personnel have the opportunity to empower citizens with information that helps the democratic process to flourish. Touching on the State Government’s involvement in media, she mentioned the recent exposure trip given to media personnel by the State Government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang. She also suggested a constructive interaction platform to share experiences from such trips. She concluded her speech by thanking the committee and requesting the journalists continue exhibiting high-quality journalism.
Earlier Chief Editor Sikkim Express, Shri Amit Patro, in his welcome address thanked the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour and the journalists for their presence. He briefly explained how the Ram Patro Memorial Award began in 2005. He concluded his speech by thanking the media fraternity and the Government for supporting Sikkim Express and it’s 47 years of existence.
Co-founder Sikkim Chronicle, Shri Yougan Tamang, was given Ram Patro Memorial Award for “Excellence in Journalism for 2022-23” through the hands of Area MLA Soreng-Chakung, Shri Aditya Golay. Shri Yougan Tamang, in his speech, thanked the Area MLA and Secretaries for their presence. He requested his fellow journalists to stress focusing on critical issues of the State at all times. He spoke on collaboration between IPR and private media houses to create a strong regulatory body for media houses in Sikkim. He talked about the paradigm shift in Sikkimese media and the importance of youth exploring the potential of entrepreneurship in media.
Likewise, Shri Deo Kumar Darjee, sub-editor from Himali Bela, was handed the Ram Patro Memorial Award for “Best working Journalist in Sikkim Express and Himali Bela for 2022-23” through the hands of Secretary IPR, Ms. Namrata Thapa. Shri Deo Kumar, in his address, thanked the MLA and the Secretaries for their presence. He thanked his parents and Shri Amit Patro for giving him the opportunity to work as a journalist.
Thereafter, Ms. Hema Sundas was given a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution to Sikkim Express by the Press Secretary to HCM, Shri Bikash Basnett.
