The annual general meeting (AGM) of the Agartala Press Club was held on Sunday, bringing together members to review the club’s activities over the past year and to highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures for journalists.
The meeting began on a solemn note with tributes paid to two recently deceased members, Tapan Chakraborty and Nandan Chakraborty, whose contributions to the media fraternity were fondly remembered.
The presidium for the session included Press Club president Pranab Sarkar, vice-president Chitra Roy, and senior journalists Srotaranjan Khisa and Sanjib Deb. They were joined on stage by senior editor Samir Pal and noted poet-writer Bimalendu Chakraborty.
At around 11:30 am, secretary Ramakanta Dey presented the annual report along with the audited statement of accounts, offering a detailed overview of the club’s initiatives and financial standing. The report was subsequently opened for discussion, with several members—including Samir Pal, Chitra Roy, Sanjib Deb, Monimoy Roy, Krishnapada Karmakar, Debasish Majumdar, Suprabhat Debnath, Samrat Chowdhury, Chandrima Sircar, Meghadhan Deb, and associate member Bimalendu Chakraborty—sharing their observations and suggestions.
During the deliberations, members expressed satisfaction with the club’s organisational functioning and the initiatives undertaken for the welfare of journalists. Many speakers also appreciated improvements in the quality of canteen services, noting that such changes contributed positively to the overall environment of the club.
However, the meeting also underscored the growing concerns regarding the safety and security of media professionals. Participants stressed the need for greater vigilance and proactive measures to ensure that journalists can carry out their duties without fear or intimidation.
Speakers further highlighted that the Press Club has maintained a non-political stance while promoting unity and cooperation among journalists across different media platforms.
Responding to the issues raised, secretary Ramakanta Dey addressed specific concerns and outlined steps already taken, as well as future plans to strengthen the organisation.
The AGM concluded at around 1:15 pm with closing remarks by President Pranab Sarkar, who thanked members for their active participation.
