The Media Fellowship 2023 was launched by the Nagaland Building & Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (NBOCWWB) at DIPR Conference Hall, Kohima today, a DIPR report informed.
The chief executive officer of the NBOCWWB, Dr T Chubayanger, was the chairperson of the function. The first Media Fellowship was introduced in 2022, he said, and the Board, motivated by the success of the fellowship, had decided to announce the Media Fellowship 2023.
Dr Kekhrie Yhome, chairman of the NBOCWWB, said after the successful culmination of the first media fellowship which showcased the plight of construction workers, the NBOCWWB decided to award the fellowship to two parties, namely the Kohima Press Club (KPC) and the DIPR.
He informed that the DIPR will initiate the production of two documentaries on immigrant workers engaged in Nagaland in the building and construction sectors and internal migration within Nagaland amongst Nagas in the search for livelihood through the building and construction sectors.
Dr Yhome also said the KPC will initiate fellows/awards in three categories – feature writing/ reporting, photojournalism, and video journalism.
During the acceptance speech, Dzüvinuo Theünuo, Head of Department, IPR, said it was a privilege to accept the Media Fellowship 2023 on behalf of the Department of IPR. With such a privilege bestowed to the department as an organisation, she said that it was a challenge but also a delight to accept it and added that the department would endeavor to deliver a production that will be worth showcasing to the public.
Theünuo also said except for some logistic and professional technicalities, Naga people do not lack talent or artistry in documentary production as a whole.
She further said the department had engaged two reputed production houses in Nagaland to produce two short-length Public Service Announcements (PSA) in 2022 and added that it would be a challenge to capture what the NBOCWWB wants to convey in a short duration. She, however, thanked the Board for coming up with a path-breaking initiative, not only concerning DIPR video production but by engaging the Kohima Press Club.
Stating that the public has been given a glimpse into the world of the unorganised sector, she said the daily wage earners have to work despite the weather conditions and time and are practically earning their livelihood through their toils and sweat.
The IPR HOD also said apart from government duty, she took it as her personal duty to highlight the plight of the workers. If there is a gap in the delivery of the welfare schemes wherein the targeted beneficiaries are not getting the benefits, the department is also duty-bound to bridge the gap, she said.
Furthermore, Theünuo stated that the KPC, being the most powerful voice in society to influence people, should highlight stories in objective ways and influence the public and policymakers in showcasing the plight of the workers. She gave full assurances from the department to the NBOCWWB to help it in whatever way possible with the teamwork of the officers and staff.
KPC Media Fellowship 2022 convenor Rita Krocha giving her acceptance speech. (Credit: DIPR)
The convenor of Kohima Press Club Media Fellowship 2022, Rita Krocha, thanked the NBOCWWB for awarding the media fellowship to the KPC. Noting that apart from feature writing/reporting the NBOCWWB has extended the fellowship this year to other mediums like photo journalism and video journalism, Krocha said this would impact in imparting awareness to the public.
The launch programme ended with the signing of the Contract Agreement with the DIPR and the KPC by the NBOCWWB.
