Agartala: Nov 16: National Press Day was observed on November 16 across the country, including in Tripura, with a celebration organized by the Department of Information and Culture at Rabindra Shatabarsiki Bhavan in the state capital. The event was attended by Minister Tinku Roy, High Court Justice Arindam Lodh, Secretary of the Department of Information and Culture P.K. Chakraborty, Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, and other officials.
The ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by Minister Tinku Roy. In his speech, he highlighted the government’s efforts to support the state’s media. He noted that the pension for journalists has been increased from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000, though only five journalists are currently receiving the full amount. He urged the Secretary of Information and Culture to investigate the reasons behind this low number. The Minister also mentioned the introduction of health insurance for journalists and the allocation of funds for the replacement of the Agartala Press Club’s lift.
Minister Roy emphasized the importance of truth in journalism and expressed concern over the rise of social media as a challenge to traditional news outlets. He also acknowledged the staffing shortages at media houses and assured that the government is working to resolve these issues. He called on media houses to come forward and collaborate with the government to address their challenges. The event was attended by media owners, journalists, and media professionals from across the state.