Shillong, Dec 22: The thirtieth anniversary of the Shillong Press Club and National Press Day was observed with the inauguration of the Press Club’s new premises at the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Shillong on Thursday.

Since its inception in 1992, the Shillong Press Club has undergone several hardships in providing an inspiring and motivating ambiance for the foot soldiers of the Fourth Estate, even as the credibility of the media fraternity is upheld in all respects. Although the media is considered to be the fourth pillar of democracy, the media persons of Meghalaya have been under tremendous pressure from every aspect of news gathering and dissemination of truthful information to the public.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the new office premises of the Shillong Press Club in the presence of eminent dignitaries that included Prabin Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary, Israel Ingty, Secretary, and M. Sangma, Director of Information and Public Relations, Meghalaya and a senior member of the Press Council of India (PCI), Jaishankar Gupta.

As the trusted source of information, the Press has the ability to shape public opinion, I therefore urge upon each of them to continue their service with great responsibility and further strengthen our democracy through correct & unbiased reporting. pic.twitter.com/YK0QCcW0xq

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 22, 2022

The office is equipped with a conference hall with an audio and LED projection system, a spacious lounge attached to the President’s office, and sufficient working desks for the journalists, aided by internet network facilities.

In order to enhance the ambiance of the new office, the executive committee of the Shillong Press Club has engaged the artists of Riti Academy to provide relevant images for the conference hall with the motive to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Statehood of Meghalaya, as well as give a purposeful tribute to the Hill State Movement leaders of the State.

In this respect, a group of eminent and aspiring artists was involved in creating unique artworks, comprising caricatures, illustrations, and tonal artworks of each respective personality of the Hill State Movement.

One segment of the wall has been adorned by the first cabinet ministers of the new State of Meghalaya in 1972, which consists of Capt. Williamson A Sangma – 1st Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and other cabinet ministers, B B Lyngdoh, Edwinson Bareh, and S D D Nichols Roy. The other segment has the caricatures of eminent dignitaries in the government who are significant people involved in the growth and progress of the State, like Prof Radhon Sing Lyngdoh, Martin N Majaw, P Ripple Kyndiah, and Peter G Marbaniang. The third wall is occupied by images of important personalities, like Hoover Hynniewta, Darwin D Pugh, Stanling D Khongwir, and Sanford K Marak.

In the subsequent phases, the Shillong Press Club will include some other important leaders of the Hill State Movement to adorn its wall of fame.