Ram Patro Memorial Award for 2010-2011 to Sikkim Journalists

Gangtok: 25th May:The Ram Patro Memorial Award for the year 2010-2011 for most promising journalist was awarded to Mr Prabin Khaling, reporter of Nepali Daily Sunakhari while Mr. Rupesh Sharma, copy editor of Nepali Daily Himali Bela received the best working journalist award in Sikkim Express and Himali Bela for the year 2010-2011. Similarly layout designer of Sikkim Express Mr. Nawin Limboo was also felicitated by his house in a function that was held on 24th May.
The award was handed over by the chief guest, Speaker Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Mr K.T Gyaltsen where Chairman of the Social Welfare board Mr. B.B Gooroong, Chairman of the Ram Patro Memorial Award Selection Committee Mr. C.D Rai were present as guests of honour.
While addressing the gathering Mr K.T.Gyaltsen said that press and media have to play an important role in the society and shoulder a great responsibility as well. He further added that people without information can not act responsibility, and this information is provided by the media. He urged the reporters to guide the people with true information. He also hoped that such awards will help the young and aspiring reporters to do well in their field.
Mr. B.B Gooroong in his address appealed to media to do investigative journalism and also stated that media person can use RTI for gathering the relevant information they need to complete a story. He further said that journalists should also focus on rural areas.
Mr C.D Rai in his turn said that journalist are playing role of opposition in the state. He further said that there are many challenges in the field of journalism and have to face many problems but at the same time there is much scope in this field and much more can be done by journalists who really aspire to do well.
Similarly Mr. Prabin Khaling in his address said that intellectual people in the society do not live taking a middle stand in democracy and they have their own views and opinions. He further added that if journalist are strong in any society the democracy will automatically become strong.
Mr. Rupesh Sharma said that there are many challenges in the field of Journalism and that the journalists should be serious about the news they produce and do investigative journalism.

The awards are given every year since 2005 to encourage young, promising journalist of Sikkim. The Ram Patro Memorial Award had been instituted in 2005 to encourage and applaud young, promising journalist working in Sikkim because they hold the baton to the future growth and development of journalism in the state