Members of Kohima Press Club (KPC) led by its President, Alice Yhoshü gathered at the KPC plot in New Secretariat area in Kohima on June 7 to clean the area, reasserting the need for a permanent building for the press body in the state capital as the KPC prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in January 2026.
Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio had announced during an official press conference on February 27, 2024 that the construction of a permanent Kohima Press Club building would be completed within one year. One year and three months since the historic announcement of the Chief Minister, even the foundation is yet to be laid towards the construction of one of the state’s oldest press clubs.
KPC’s founding member, former president and present advisor, Kopelo Krome, who was also present at the site on Saturday remarked that other states in India have high regard for press clubs and their respective state governments have facilitated proper club buildings with various facilities for journalists. He, however, lamented that the KPC does not have a proper space even after 24 years of its existence.
Supplementing to the advisor, Yhoshü pointed out that despite being based in the state capital, the Kohima Press Club so far has no permanent or temporarily-allotted building from the government equipped with facilities for journalists – a place for journalists to congregate and exchange dialogue, conduct press conferences, and to carry out various professional activities. She mentioned that the press body is currently functioning out of a rented space at the APO Building in Kohima.
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“While we acknowledge that there are no government rules or guidelines governing allotment or construction of building to journalists who are not government employees, I would like to point out that journalists in Nagaland are probably one of the lowest-paid employees in the private sector, and it is only through contributions and membership collections which help us sustain our organizational functioning and welfare activities. Hence, constructing a permanent office clubhouse is beyond our financial capability, so we have to entreat the state government for assistance,” she stated.
The press club president also said it is pertinent to note that press clubs in the capitals of Nagaland’s neighbouring states enjoy facilities provided by their respective state governments.
She highlighted that the KPC, which formed 24 years ago by a few like-minded journalists based in Kohima to cater to the welfare of those associated with the Fourth Estate, has now grown into a vibrant body with more than 60 members.
Taking into account the rapid burgeoning of members in the press fraternity, she underscored the urgent need for a facility which could function as a Media Centre in capital Kohima, and also cater to visiting journalists from other districts and states.
Referring to the assurance of the Chief Minister, she said, “We hopefully look forward to the commitment of the state government in making a permanent press club building in Kohima a reality,” she reiterated.
With regard to the ensuing 25th anniversary celebration of the KPC, Yhoshü said the May 14 resolve of the anniversary committees would stand, and accordingly, the press club will prepare to celebrate at the KPC plot, “with or without a roof over our heads”.
