Phurailatpam Keny Devi, a staff reporter of Imphal Free Press, a local English daily of Manipur, was on Thursday awarded the 19th RK Sanatomba Memorial Journalist Award 2022 by RK Sanatomba Memorial Trust (RKMT) for her excellent reporting on drug-related issues during 2021.
The award distribution ceremony was held at Hijagang Community Hall, Palace Compound on Thursday and consisted of a cash prize of Rs 25,000 with citation and shawl.
Phurailatpam Keny Devi, daughter of Ph Krishnamohan Sharma and Ph Sharatpurnima Devi from Sagolband Moirang Leirak has been working with Imphal Free Press for the last five years. During her five years of stint with journalism, she has also received media fellowships given by the directorate of Environment and Climate Change on climate change reporting for consecutive two years, Community Network for Empowerment for consecutive two years on Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B reporting and Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) on HIV and AIDS-related reporting.
She expressed her gratitude for the award stating that “receiving an award conferred by RKMT is an encouragement and inspiration to work harder for the betterment of society.” She also highlighted that the number of women journalists has been increasing over the course of time. The society should appreciate and encourage every women journalist so that they can contribute their best level for the society, the IFP reporter said.
Addressing the function as chief guest, former president of Manipur Cultural Integration Conference, A Brajakumar Sharma said that the 92 per cent of areas are located in hill areas while eight per cent are in the valley region. Due to absence of specific laws where authorities are given for use of hill areas, the state is unable to untap the benefit of rich bio-resources bestowed in the state.
As per census 2011 number of Meitei population is 7,51,000; non-Manipuri is 7,41,000; Meitei Pangal is 5,60,000 and hill areas population is 8,02,000. Population ratio between various communities in the state is not that different, he added while appealing that there is a need of analysing this population ratio while taking up any policies and programmes.
Chairman of RKMT, RK Nimai Singh said that RKMT has been giving the said journalist award every year since 2004 in the loving memory of his brother (L) RK Sanatomba on his death anniversary to recognise the dedication made by state journalists. The main objective of presenting the award is to encourage journalists of the state so that the dream of his brother to bring positive change in society comes true.
Most of the applicants for the award are so competitive and their reporting styles are so excellent. Viewing their satisfactory performance, it is a high expectation and confidence that the state would bring tremendous change by media, he added.
Nimai further said that considering the endless dedication contributed by journalists, even during COVID-19 pandemic, the trust didn’t stop awarding even during that tough period. He also informed that Kangla Lanpung will be published as a journal once or twice a year.
As a part of the programme, floral tribute was paid to RK Sanatomba, the then editor of Kangla Lanpung, and a journal, Kangla Lanpung Volume XIV issue I, was also released. A paper on ‘Bio-economy from bio-resources, with reference to Manipur, was also presented by scientist of IBSD, Imphal, H Nanaocha Sharma.
Contributors of Kangla Lanpung Volume XIV issue I namely, Syed Ahmed, W Jyotirmoy Singh, Wangam Somorjit, Wahengbam Robinson and Soyam Lokendrajit were also felicitated.
Mother of (L) RK Sanatomba, Mangi Shija also attended the function as president.
