Former Imphal correspondent of ‘The Telegraph' and noted journalist (L) Khelen Thokchom was fondly remembered during his 62nd birth anniversary observance organised by Khelen Thokchom Trust (KTT) on Friday at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal.
Attendees and trustees paid floral tributes as a mark of honour and respect to the departed journalist during the occasion.
Taorem Biswajit of Sanaleibak daily was also declared as the media fellow for Khelen Thokchom Media Fellowship 2022-23.
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Speaking on the occasion, KTT advisor Irengbam Arun said that the observance is being held every year not to mourn the demise of Khelen Thokchom but to celebrate his contributions and remarkable presence embedded in the hearts of the people.
He further exhorted young journalists to put efforts to be able to exude the aura of a journalist.
Arun also vowed that the trust will put maximum efforts to compile the writings of Khelen Thokchom, his views and opinions and publish them in the form of a book.
AMWJU President W Shamjai extolled Khelen Thokchom as someone who never sidestepped professional ethics.
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Further expressing concern over receding investigative journalism, he urged journalists to publish well researched and investigated matters to upscale journalism standards in the state.
He also appreciated the efforts of the trust in promoting real journalism.
Meanwhile, Editors’ Guild Manipur president Khogendra Khomdram disclosed that journalist bodies like AMWJU and EGM are in consultation with the DIPR to put self-styled media persons under scanner.
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Khogendra pointed out that self-proclaimed journalists in the age of social media are a threat to society as well as mainstream media.
Wife of late Khelen Thokchom and KTT founder Thokchom ongbi Memcha, other family members, friends and well-wishers of Khelen Thokchom among others were present during the occasion.
