Hueiyen Lanpao was founded in 1978, at a formative moment in Manipur’s modern history, when the state was still in the early stages of its journey as a state of the Indian Union. It emerged at a time when Manipur was negotiating a new political reality, and its people were navigating the memories, aspirations and anxieties of a society undergoing profound change. Since then, Manipur and Hueiyen Lanpao have shared a journey through tumultuous times— through political upheavals, social transformations, economic uncertainty and conflict. Across nearly five decades, the newspaper has witnessed the changing contours of the state while becoming part of its public and social memory.
Its greatest hallmark has been resilience.
The name Hueiyen Lanpao carries a powerful historical and cultural resonance—rooted in the need to communicate through times of struggle. Over the years, that resonance has come to mean something larger: a society seeking to make itself heard, and a newspaper that has continued to find its voice through changing and difficult times.
The events of 2023 tested journalism in Manipur in unprecedented ways. As the state was engulfed in one of the most serious conflicts in its recent history, reliable information became both more important and more difficult to access than ever. Amid displacement, uncertainty and competing narratives, people needed not only to know what had happened, but also to understand what was happening around them and to their communities.
During this period of profound disruption, the continued demand for local news reaffirmed what Hueiyen Lanpao has understood since its beginning: local journalism matters because it gives local realities a place in public discourse, especially when local experiences require context and attention beyond the immediacy of larger news cycles.
For decades, Hueiyen Lanpao has documented the events, concerns and everyday experiences that have shaped the state. Its pages have become a living archive of its people and their times—a record of how Manipur has changed, and how its people have lived through those changes. But a newspaper’s history is not measured only by the number of years it survives. It is also shaped by the trust it earns. That trust is built through the willingness to ask difficult questions. Hueiyen Lanpao has sought to uphold journalism’s role in examining public institutions, decisions and policies, and in asking difficult questions of those in authority and of society itself. Its role is not merely to report what happens, but to examine the decisions, consequences and realities that shape public life.
This rests on a simple conviction: journalism must do more than tell people what happened. It must help readers understand why it happened, who is affected, what it means, and what may come next.
In an age when information travels instantly, Hueiyen Lanpao seeks to go beyond the headline—to bring together verified information, ground realities, context, analysis and the voices of those who live the stories being reported.
Its coverage spans the many dimensions of life in Manipur, from politics and governance to education, employment, business, agriculture, sport, culture, literature and social life. At its centre is a commitment to ensuring that issues affecting ordinary people receive attention and that diverse voices have a place in public discussion.
Hueiyen Lanpao also carries a responsibility beyond daily news. To preserve and promote the Manipuri language, culture, literature and heritage is to preserve an important part of Manipur’s collective memory. As the media environment changes, the newspaper has embraced digital platforms while retaining the editorial values that have shaped its journalism since its founding.
Today, Hueiyen Lanpao stands at the intersection of two journeys: the journey of a newspaper and the journey of Manipur itself. The state has changed. Its people have changed. The ways in which they receive and understand news have changed. Yet the need for credible journalism remains.
The story of Hueiyen Lanpao is, ultimately, a story of a relationship—with a place, with its people and with a society whose history continues to unfold.
As Hueiyen Lanpao continues its journey across print and digital platforms, its purpose remains unchanged: to inform accurately, report responsibly, reflect the society it serves, and tell the story behind the news.
The Newspaper Hueiyen Lanpao is a Manipuri-language morning daily headquartered in Imphal, Manipur. Established in 1978, it is among the oldest newspapers in Manipur and the wider North Eastern region of India.
Detail Information Publisher & Owner Soubam Niladhaja Singh Editor Maibam Dhanabir Meitei Head office Sega Road, Thouda Bhabok Leikai, Imphal – 795001, Manipur, India RNI Registration No. 40746/1978 ABC Certified No. 142/2131 INS Code No. 51429MRUCIMemberDIPR, Government of ManipurEmpanelled and certified as an “A” Grade morning dailyCBC, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of IndiaEmpanelled member; CBC Code: 550001
Rules and regulations As of October 2011, the Hueiyen Lanpao had laid its rules and regulations regarding media publicity as follows:
Awards and honours Over the years, Hueiyen Lanpao has grown alongside the changing journalistic, social and cultural landscape of Manipur. Its journalists and contributors have received recognition across diverse fields of reporting, while the publication has remained engaged with literature, traditional arts, language, heritage, education, the environment and community life.
Presented here is a record of those awards, honours and contributions, and of the people and initiatives that have been part of Hueiyen Lanpao's journey. 2025 | National Press Day
Kumari Alka Thokchom — recognised for Sports Reporting on National Press Day 2025. 2022 | Manipur State Journalist Award
Khumukcham Joychand Singh, Sub-Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao — Manipur State Journalist Award 2022 for Sports Reporting. 2020 | Manipur State Journalist Award
Ashem Babycha Devi — Manipur State Journalist Award 2020 for Rural Reporting. 2018 | State Journalist Awards
Five journalists of Hueiyen Lanpao were recognised in their respective fields:
● Ratneshwori Goswami — Sports
● Bijoy Laishram — Public Health & Hygiene
● Puyam Romeshwar — Parliamentary Reporting
● Ashem Babycha — Women & Children
● Naorem Gyanand — Art & Culture 2015 | Manipur State Journalist Awards
In 2015, four of the eight Manipur State Journalist Awards instituted by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur, went to journalists of Hueiyen Lanpao:
● Gyanand Naorem — Rural Reporting
● Mutum Rameshchandra — Public Health & Hygiene
● Ashem Babycha — Women & Child
● Wangkhem Rishikesh — Sports Reporting
The four awardees were honoured on National Press Day, 16 November 2015.
Eco Journalist Award Nomita Khongbantabam, a senior staff member of Hueiyen Lanpao, received the Eco Journalist Award 2015 on World Environment Day from the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Lamphelpat, Imphal.
Chingsubam Akaba Memorial Journalist Award Meisnam Karnajit received the Chingsubam Akaba Memorial Journalist Award 2014–15 during the 71st birth anniversary observance of late Chingsubam Akaba at Thawai village under Phungyar Assembly Constituency, Ukhrul district. 2014 | Rural Reporting
Laishram Bijoy — State Journalist Award for Rural Reporting, 2014. 2013 | Editorial & Reporting Awards
Satyajit Usham, Editor of the Hueiyen Lanpao English edition, received the Best Editor honour for his writings on national integration and communal harmony.
Two other journalists of the publication received State Journalist Awards that year:
● Ratneshwori Goswami — Sports Reporting
● Maisnam Karnajit — Health & Hygiene Reporting
Laishram Bijoy also received the Seram Mangi Journalist Award in 2013. 2011 | Science, Technology & Rural Reporting
Two Hueiyen Lanpao staff reporters received the State Journalist Award in 2011:
● Amukhomba Ngangbam — Science & Technology Reporting
● Ningthoukhongjam Sanajaoba Meetei — Rural Reporting
Both were recognised on National Press Day.
Amukhomba Ngangbam also received the RK Sanatomba Journalist Award 2011, given by the family of late RK Sanatomba, an editor of Kangla Lanpao, under the RK Sanatomba Memorial Trust, Imphal. 2010 | Best Female Reporter
In 2010, Hueiyen Lanpao staff reporter Salam Kamala was honoured as the “Best Female Reporter of 2009” during the 28th Foundation Day of the evening daily Kangleipaki Meira.
Institutional Honours In September 2011, the publisher, editor and staff members of Hueiyen Lanpao were felicitated by Major General Binoy Poonnen, VSM, GOC, Red Shield Division, during the publication's third anniversary for their:
“courage in honest and truthful reporting without fear or favour in both its English and vernacular editions.”
On its fourth Foundation Day in September 2012, Hueiyen Lanpao was honoured in the presence of Leishemba Sanajaoba, Maharaja of Manipur; Moirangthem Okendro, then Minister of Education and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution; RV Mingthing, former Minister of the Government of Manipur; Satyajit Singh, then President of the North American Bangladesh Manipuri Society; and Hamom Promud, then President of THE MANIPURI (Manipuri Cultural Development, Promotion & Study Centre), Canada.
Leepun | Honouring the People of the Press Hueiyen Lanpao also recognises the people whose work and commitment have contributed to the Press and its wider community.
Each year, on its Foundation Day, Hueiyen Lanpao celebrates Leepun, honouring journalists, columnists, contributors and others who have served and contributed to the Press. The observance is an occasion to acknowledge their work and the collective contribution of those who have been part of journalism and public discourse over the years.
Literature & Literary Recognition
Felicitation of Jodhachandra Sharma
In 2013, the Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications felicitated Jodhachandra Sharma, a columnist of its English edition, following his Sahitya Akademi Award 2012 for the novel Mathou Kanba DNA. He was presented with a shawl and memento by the Group.
Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award Hueiyen Lanpao instituted the Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award as an annual recognition for writers of Meitei literature.
● 2013 — Longjam Joychandra, the first recipient, for his 2009 work of literary criticism Manipuri Sahitya
● 2014 — Irungbam Deven, for his book of poems Numit Ama, Punsi Ama
Traditional Arts & Culture
Hueiyen Rendezvous Hueiyen Rendezvous, held at the Literary Hall of the Hueiyen Lanpao office, provided a space for traditional performing arts including Pena, Khongjom Parva and Moirang Sai.
The programme formed part of efforts to give visibility to and encourage the continuation of indigenous and endangered performing traditions of Meitei culture.
Pena & Khongjom Parva In February 2013, the Hueiyen Lanpao Columnists' Forum submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Art & Culture, Government of Manipur, seeking recognition of Pena and Khongjom Parva in the curriculum and syllabus of the Government Music College.
The memorandum also called for a legal policy for the preservation of other endangered traditional arts and cultural elements of Manipur.
Heritage & Documentation
Sana Konung In 2013, Hueiyen Lanpao conducted a public opinion survey in connection with the Manipur State Cabinet's decision concerning Sana Konung (Royal Palace) and its proposed conversion into a historical monument.
As part of the initiative, the publication interviewed the five queen consorts of the late King Bodhchandra of the Manipur Kingdom, recording their perspectives concerning Sana Konung and its history.