Award for Tongam Ri

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, March 19: Senior scribe from Aruchal PradeshTongam Ri wins the Indian of the Year 2014 for public service.

She is the Associate Editor of Aruchal Times and was shot at close range for writing against the endemic corruption in her state.

Recovered from her injuries, she continues her jourlism of courage highlighting how hydro-dams and tribal fault lines are tearing Aruchal Pradesh apart. She is the only Indian jourlist to have found a place in the list of ‘100 Information Heroes’ released by ‘Reporters Without Borders’ this year. This is the ninth edition of the awards which were introduced in 2006. The awards adhere to a robust procedure in selecting the awardees which is filised by a Jury consisting of a select group of distinguished persolities. The jury consists of Padma Vibhushan Soli Jehangir Sorabjee, Padma Bhushan Deepak S Parekh, Padma Shri Mohanlal Viswathan ir, Padma Shri Kiran Karnik and tennis ace Leander Paes. (Agency) Meanwhile, congratulations for Tongam poured in from various organizations of the state for bringing laurels to the state by winning the award.

The Aruchal Press Club (APC) and Aruchal Pradesh Union of Working Jourlists (APUWJ) express joy over the news that one of the senior media persolity of the state and senior deputy editor of Aruchal Times Tongam has been awarded Indian of the year 2014 for public service by CNN IBN group.In a joint statement both the organizations expressed hope that her rare achievement would inspire the GenNext and aspiring young jourlists of the state. “She is an epitome of courage and her dedication towards cause of freedom of speech and expression is truly inspiring. She has made every Aruchalee proud with her achievement,” said APC President Chopa Cheda.

The APC and APUWJ while congratulating Ri, stated that she has set a new benchmark in the field of jourlism and young Aruchalees should draw inspiration from her achievement.

The Aruchal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) also congratulates Tongam, one of its active members, for bagging yet another coveted award and making the state and entire people proud.

The society expressed gratitude to the people who have selected her and hope that in near future more such encouragement would be given to every girl child to achieve their desired goal.

Meanwhile, the Nyishi Elite Society (NES)  extended heart-felt gratitude and thanks to the team of learned jury for selection of Tongam for the prestigious award of 9th series of the Indian of the Year-2014 (IoTY-2014) instituted by the popular English News channel - CNN IBN-the first Aruchalee to receive the award. The jury proved their wisdom and broad mental horizon by identifying a deserving recipient of the deserving award from a tiny state of ours, far off from the mainland as a befitting recognition to her hard work and service to the people, the NES said in a statement. “We congratulate Tongam, the pride of Aruchal, an ardent and fearless jourlist the state of Aruchal has produced so far, for receiving the award from His Excellency, the Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari on March 17 and hope she will scale more heights of professiolism in the field of jourlism and inspire our younger generations in this field, the NES added.