The Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Kohima organized a One Day Media Workshop, ‘Vartalap’ on the theme, ‘Central Government Initiative/Schemes in Nagaland’ at De Oriental Grand, Kohima on  November 2.

Addressing the Workshop as Chief Guest, Thavaseelan K, Principal Director, Directorate of School Education, Nagaland emphasized on the need to create awareness of the various Central Schemes to the common people. “It is the primary responsibility of the government departments to publicized the different government schemes, adding that information, education and communication is one of the key components of any scheme that the Central or State government puts out,” stated Thavaseelan adding that accessibility to the various scheme is another problem faced by the people.

In this regard, he asserted that the first key element for successful implementation of the multiple welfare schemes is to create awareness on how to access the schemes, its various features and actually helping the people with the step-by-step process to get it. “This is when the role of the media become critical in not only creating awareness, but also informing the nitty-gritty to the public,” asserted the Principal Director.

Thavaseelan also noted that the media has been the primary link between the beneficiaries and the stakeholders by playing the role of advocacy in pointing out issues of the practical limitations.

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Addressing the Workshop as Guest of Honour, Senior Journalist Oken Jeet Sandham highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced several welfare schemes for the people. However, he lamented that many people are not aware of these schemes, mush less have the knowledge to access them. Sandham asserted that these schemes are meant for the people and every eligible people have the right to get the benefits of it. Highlighting that it is not difficult to avail the schemes through proper procedure or channel, Sandham called on the people to opt for schemes that comes with subsidy, instead of loans.

Later in the technical session, Resource persons from different government departments sensitized the media people on some of the schemes and initiatives of the Central government. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Wildlife Warden, Government of Nagaland, Vedpal Singh spoke on the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act 2023, Assistant Engineer, Directorate of School Education Nagaland, Sani Pongen gave a presentation on the One Nation One Student ID while Assistant Manager, Ministry of Tourism attached to Tourism Department of Nagaland, Kunal Jha highlighted on the Central Initiatives in Tourism Sector in Nagaland.