History of Dimapur Press Club 

Posted on: September 28, 2025

The Dimapur Press Club, originally established in December 1999 as the “Press Club of Dimapur," was formed by a group of local journalists who recognized the need for a structured organization to address the unique concerns and challenges faced by media professionals in Dimapur, Nagaland.

This founding group aimed to create a platform that would uphold press freedom, ethical standards, and journalistic integrity. The Club was also envisioned as a space where journalists, reporters, editors, and other media personnel could gather for both professional collaboration and recreational activities, while also advocating for their rights and welfare.

In its early years, from December 1999 to October 2002, the Club had only a small number of members. However, these founding members worked diligently during this interim period to establish a fully-fledged press club.

The Interim Period saw Dilip Sharma as Convenor, late Kedi Haralu as President, late Eric Miachieo and Pilato Sumi as Secretaries, who worked together to bring in more members to make the Club functional. During the Interim Period, these members even approached the then elected representatives and apprized them about the need of an office for the Press Club to function. However, things did not materialize.

In December 1999, as the New Year approached with the much-hyped Y2K, the members decided to work out some programme and with the association of the then Business Owners' Association of Dimapur (BOAD), a New Year programme was organized at the Clock Tower, which was attended by thousands of people from Dimapur.

By October 2002, as the number of media professionals in Dimapur grew, the Club responded by inducting new members and forming its first elected Executive Council. It was also at this time that the organization officially changed its name to the “Dimapur Press Club,” and the first elected office bearers took charge with Francis Kikon as President and Bhadra Gogoi as General Secretary.

Since its inception, the Club has actively participated in various programs and initiatives focused on the welfare of its members and the community. Beyond its role in media, the Club members have contributed to society through participation in humanitarian and community events, especially on occasions such as Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

During this last 25 years, the Club has lost two of its founding members, Late Kedi Haralu and Late Eric Miachieo, who were President and Secretary respectively during the Interim Period.

The Club also lost its former Information & Publicity Secretary, Noel Manuel, former President, K. Filip Sumi and photo journalist, Soreishim Mahong.

Though all the activities undertaken by Dimapur Press Club cannot be described in detail, the following are few of the activities undertaken during the past many years.

• Soon after the formation, the DPC organized a programme to welcome the Millennium Year 2000 in collaboration with the then Business Owners Association of Dimapur (BOAD) at the Clock Tower on 31st December 1999.

• Members of the Press Club gave financial contribution for the victims of October 2, 2004 Dimapur twin Bomb Blasts at Railway Station and Hongkong Market, in which many people were killed and several hundred injured. The DPC had joined the movement to provide relief to the blast victims, spear headed by Naga Council Dimapur.

• From 2006 to 2008, the Dimapur Press Club participated in several seminars and workshops in the state as well outside the state, where members represented the Club as Speakers/Panellists.

• The Club also participated in Football Exhibition Matches during the Independence Day/Republic Day celebration, besides organizing friendly football exhibition match with Kohima Press Club.

• From 2009 to 2011, the Dimapur Press Club participated every year in Northeast Media Sports Festival, organized by Assam Sports Journalists Association held at Guwahati and won trophies consecutively for three years.

• In 2011, the DPC also participated in 5-men Football Tourney held at Maple Tree School Campus.

• In 2015, the Club organized JE Vaccination camp twice in association with Dispur Hospital, Guwahati, where all the members received vaccine shots. In the same year, the Club also organized Eye Check Up camp in association with Lions Club of Dimapur and Lions Eye Hospital Jorhat, which benefitted many members.

• From 2015 till 2017, the Press Club consecutively organized Sports Meet for the members of the press fraternity.

• In 2019, Dimapur Press Club in collaboration with Google, organized a training programme for the journalist to understand and detect fake news.

• Over the years, the Club has also come forward to provide humanitarian services during Republic Day/ Independence day by visiting orphanages and other places.

• During the Covid-19 lockdown period, the Dimapur Press Club took the initiative to distribute food grains to the Newspaper Hawkers in association with District Administration Dimapur. During the same period, the members also actively took part in distribution of face masks to the general public and creating awareness in association with the vernacular Daily, Tir Yimyim.

• The Club has also been providing help and assistance to its members in times of need.

Currently, the Dimapur Press Club serves as a central hub for networking and collaboration among journalists in the region. It fosters a supportive environment for sharing ideas, improving reporting standards, and advocating for press rights.

Through workshops, seminars, and outreach activities, the Club is committed to enhancing journalistic skills, promoting responsible journalism, and supporting the development of a well-informed and engaged community in Dimapur and beyond.

Unfortunately, the Club is still functioning without a permanent office building in Dimapur.

Dilip Sharma
Founding Member & Former President