Imphal, November 1 (Wayel Kati/DIPR): The 77
th Information and Public Relations (IPR) Day, 2025 was celebrated today with poise and dignity at the Auditorium of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Nityaipat Chuthek, Airport Road, Imphal.
Shri Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Manipur graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri Hungyo Worshang, IAS, Secretary (IPR), Government of Manipur presided over the function, while Shri M. Joy Singh, IAS (Retd.), former Commissioner (IPR), Government of Manipur attended as the Guest of Honour.
The Chief Secretary of Manipur addressed the gathering on the occasion of Information and Public Relations (IPR) Day 2025, celebrating not only the founding of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) but also its pivotal role in strengthening democratic governance through effective communication.
Highlighting the essence of good governance, the Chief Secretary underscored that transparency lies at its core. He remarked that the DIPR serves as the “voice of the government,” bridging the gap between the people and the administration by ensuring that government policies, programmes, and decisions are accurately and effectively communicated to the public.
In a world where information travels faster than ever, our collective mission is to ensure that every message reaching citizens is accurate, timely, and trustworthy, he stated. A well-functioning DIPR is essential to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and strengthen public confidence in governance.
The Chief Secretary also stressed the importance of the feedback system facilitated by the department. Public relations, he noted, is not only about informing but also about listening. Through public forums, social media platforms, and other communication channels, the department gathers citizens’ concerns and opinions, thereby informing better policy-making and ensuring that the government remains responsive to its people.
Reflecting on recent milestones, he highlighted the successful launch of the e-Gazette Portal on August 1, which has fully digitised the publication of government notifications—enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. He also mentioned the National Conference on Coordination with States in Media and Public Communication held in Imphal on August 5, which focused on countering misinformation, improving coordination, and strengthening communication capacity across states.
Further, the Chief Secretary commended the Manipur Information Commission for leading RTI Week 2025 in October, which raised awareness that transparency is not an obligation but a mindset. He added that when departments communicate openly and proactively, it strengthens public confidence and bridges the gap between the government and citizens.
He also lauded the DIPR Short Film Competitions for creatively addressing social challenges through storytelling, emphasizing that effective communication is about building understanding and inspiring change—not merely disseminating information.
Looking inward, the Chief Secretary urged all officials to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and professionalism. “Every press release, photograph, and bulletin issued by the Directorate must meet the test of reliability and balance,” he said, adding that DIPR’s credibility is one of the State’s most valuable public assets and must always reflect diligence and integrity.
He further encouraged active and responsible use of official social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, stressing that these are the most visible windows of government communication and must remain verified, credible, and engaging.
Looking ahead, the Chief Secretary noted that the Directorate will continue to focus on digital-first communication, proactive disclosure, and citizen-centric storytelling. The expansion of the e-Gazette, standardisation of publication protocols, and institutionalisation of misinformation management are among the key priorities. Longer-term plans also include modernising the State’s media archives by digitising decades of invaluable photographs, documentaries, and news bulletins, while strengthening district information offices with better infrastructure, mentorship, and digital connectivity.
As Manipur celebrates IPR Day 2025, the Chief Secretary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to truth, clarity, and consistency. He concluded, “In these times when misinformation can divide and confuse, the role of the DIPR is more critical than ever. The people of Manipur look to us not just for news, but for assurance, understanding, and trust.”
In his speech as Guest of Honour, Shri M. Joy, former Commissioner of IPR, highlighted a brief history of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
He lauded the Directorate for upholding the rich culture and tradition of felicitating and honouring its retired officials. Unlike many other departments, DIPR has continued to preserve this noble practice, which he described as exemplary and inspiring. Shri Joy encouraged the department to sustain this meaningful tradition for years to come.
In his presidential speech, Shri Hungyo Worshang, Secretary (IPR), Government of Manipur, emphasized the importance of fostering cordial relationships among the staff of all departments. He commended the Directorate for upholding the commendable tradition of felicitating and honouring its retired officials, and expressed confidence that the celebration will become more elaborate with greater participation in the coming years.
The Secretary also underscored the need to further strengthen the bond between the IPR Department and various media organizations, noting that such collaboration plays a vital role in shaping and enhancing the image of the State.
Shri Ngangom Uttam, Director, Information and Public Relations, Government of Manipur, in his keynote address stated that many people, both in the public and in the government sector, often tend to take the role of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) lightly. They do not always realize the full potential and importance of the department. Therefore, organizing such an event once a year is very important to remind everyone of the vital role DIPR plays in society.
He said that the department has been working hard to disseminate accurate and meaningful information to the public. DIPR has always played a crucial role in spreading good information and promoting transparency in governance.
The Director further emphasized that DIPR serves as a bridge between the government and the public, working towards fostering mutual understanding and trust. The department continues to focus on promoting transparency in governance and enhancing media literacy among the youth.
Referring to the growing misuse of social media and the spread of misinformation, he said that DIPR could take up initiatives and campaigns such as “Think Before You Share” to create awareness among the youth about the dangers of sharing false or incomplete information. Through such campaigns, DIPR can play a significant role in promoting peace, unity, and cultural harmony in the state.
Concluding his address, Shri Uttam said that the Directorate aims to fully uphold the spirit of the Government of India’s motto, “Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform.” He added that whatever good initiatives or achievements are made by the State or Central Government should be properly communicated to the public so that the people are well informed and connected with the developmental efforts of the government.
The main highlight of the celebration included the felicitation of retired officials of the Directorate, and distribution of prizes to winners of the short film competition in
five (5) different themes viz
My City, My Responsibility; Say No TO, Single-Use Plastic; Support Don’t Punish; Unity In Diversity and E-Challan Awareness. The event also featured the screening of the award-winning films, followed by a simple traditional lunch.
Films directed by Devadarshan Gurumayum, Dinku Thingnam, Bonney Takhelmayum, Sorenzan Vashum, and Kshetrimayum Priyobrata Singh were honoured as the top five best films among the 25 award-winning entries.
Several senior media persons and representatives from media participated in the programme making the celebration a grand success.