IMPHAL, Dec 2: A five-day long photo exhibition on the theme ‘Development Initiatives in North East’ was set into motion today at the Manipur Press Club. The exhibition which would continue till December 6 is being organized by the Directorate of Advertising & Visual Publicity (DAVP), ministry of Information & Broadcasting, government of India, Imphal with the help of All Manipur Working Journalist’ Union.
According to an official press release, rolling the motion for the five-day long exercise, Genneikhup Vaiphei, executive member, ADC/Churachandpur, who graced the occasion as chief guest outlined the 16 flagship programs of the central government. Arguing that New Delhi is doing much for the people of the region, Genneikhup Vaiphei, quoting the proverbial ‘out of sight, out mind’ said that the photos being displayed stands testimony of the initiatives of the Central Government.
Further according to the release, while narrating the success story of various centrally-sponsored projects in the North East, especially in Manipur, Vaiphei said that central schemes such as MGNREGS has been able to subside the difficulties of the people due to ‘mautam’ (bamboo flowering) in the later part of 2000s in the hill areas of the state.
Inspired by the collection of photos, Genneikhup Vaiphei said that photo exhibition is a forceful medium to disseminate information to the public. ‘The effort of DAVP in organizing exhibition of this type will pave way for better dissemination of information that will bridge the gap of information between the government and the public,’ said the young politician, who resigned from the prestigious banking service to work for people’s welfare, the release added.
‘This exhibition brings me to other states without actually going around. Some of the photographs shows real picture of what the government intends for the people of the Northeast. I am excited by such development programs’ noted A Mobi, president, All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU), who attended the function as guest of honour, the release added.
Whilst suggesting for inclusion of photographs that tells the other side of the story such as bad road conditions etc, Mobi also called upon the public to invoke RTI Act to know about the various development projects that are undertaken in the state.
Further according to the release, welcoming the exhibition, Rosy, a college-going student, said that ‘the photos that are being displayed systematically have given me more knowledge and wisdom.’ ‘I am more closer to the people of the Northeast like never than before’ said another visitor.
The Field Exhibition Office, DAVP, Imphal organizises photo exhibition round the year in order to disseminate information about the pace of various developmental projects undertaken by the government of India in the North east. In May, a three-day photo exhibition was organized at Tamenglong headquarters. In June, Kakching in Thoubal district have seen five-day exhibition. Kwakta & Moirang in Bishnupur district witnessed five-day exhibition each in the month of August. In October, a five-day exhibition was organized at Bunglon High School and another five-day exhibition at Loktak Project. Development photos also enthralled Leimakhong residents in November for five days, the release added.