A two-day seminar on Academia and Media Responses during COVID-19 Pandemic in Manipur began on Friday at the Court Hall of Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal. The inaugural function of the seminar, which was organised by Manipur University in collaboration with National Health Mission, Manipur, was graced by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh as Chief Guest. 

Speaking on the occasion, N. Biren Singh appreciated the faculty members, students, and officials of Manipur University for their contribution in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of the first wave. He lauded the students of the University for producing hand sanitizers during a time when the supply of hand sanitizers was very less. The University had also provided much support by opening Quarantine Centres for accommodating inmates during the crucial hour of the pandemic when the State was facing a shortage of beds earlier, he added.

Informing the current situation of the pandemic in the State, the Chief Minister maintained that the positivity and death rate had now declined and added that the selfless effort of medical staff, concerned officials, and the support of the public had enabled the State Government to control the pandemic effectively. He also stressed the need for complete vaccination to successfully fight the spread of the deadly virus.  He further informed that the State Government had sent 2054 samples for genome sequencing, of which 771 out 1002 samples tested turned out to be of Delta Variant. As such, he urged the public to still follow the COVID Appropriate Behaviours to prevent infection with such variants.

Continuing that the media had a very important role to play in disseminating information and providing awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that certain misleading information circulated in social media sometimes created panic in the public and became an impediment to the Government’s initiatives to contain the pandemic. As such, the media should always disseminate the right information to the public knowing its importance in shaping society, he added.

He said that fighting COVID-19 earlier was like a test when the State was equipped with only little infrastructure. But now, with development brought in health care infrastructures like oxygen plants, dedicated COVID hospitals and manpower, he assured that the State Government is now prepared to face any eventualities. He informed that the Government was in process of recruiting around 300 Medical Officers through the Manipur Public Service Commission and also nursing staff to meet the manpower requirement.

Regarding the relocation of the Assam Rifles outpost from Manipur University, he said that the Government had started taking up steps for the same and assured that the outpost would be relocated soon. With regard to a footbridge to be constructed in front of the University main gate, he stated that he would look into the matter, where the process for the same had reached.

Delivering his presidential speech, Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University Prof. N. Lokendra Singh stated the media house operating in the State had always played an important role during the pandemic by disseminating information on Standard Operating Procedures issued by the Government from time to time to the public, providing information and awareness on the status of COVID-19. He also maintained that academia had also been constantly working on its field to find out ways to control the pandemic. He also lauded the students, research scholars of the University for producing hand sanitizers and sensitizing people about COVID-19.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also released a compendium during the programme.

Dean, School of Agricultural Science, Manipur University Prof. M. Shyamkesho, Advisor, Editors Guild Manipur A. Mobi, officials of Manipur University, resource persons, and students of Manipur University also attended the function among others. 

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