Manipuri likely get classical language tag soon
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2022: Manipuri is likely to be classified among the elite classical languages of India soon, according to Rajya Sabha MP Leisemba Sanajaoba.

The 88th foundation day of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad and its 87th annual meeting was held today in the auditorium of JN Manipur Dance Academy here.

The event also featured a seminar on the life and works of Kumari Thoibi Devi and presentation of cash incentives.

Speaking at the event as the chief guest, Leisemba Sanajaoba claimed that the process of enlisting Manipuri in the elite group of classical languages has been completed by 70 per cent.

There are more than 1800 languages in India but only six languages have been classified as classical languages.

Manipuri would be the seventh classical language of India as and when the language is promoted to the elite group, the Rajya Sabha MP said.

Even though Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule in 1992, the language has not yet received any significant recognition.

The matter to enlist Manipuri among the classical languages was raised in the Parliament and the Language Department has been working on it.

But the recommendations made by scholars and experts cannot be sent to the Centre directly.

Such recommendations should be sent to the Centre through an empowered committee constituted at the behest of the State Government, Sanajaoba said.

The Chief Secretary has assured that a committee would be constituted within the next couple of days, the MP said and exuded confidence that Manipuri would be definitely enlisted in the elite group of classical languages.

Noting that Manipuri has not been embossed in the currency notes of India even though it was included in the 8th Schedule in 1992, Leisemba Sanajaoba conveyed that the Reserve Bank of India has given a written assurance to include Manipuri inscription in currency notes.

For inscription of different languages in currency notes, there is a design committee of RBI and the matter of embossing Manipuri language in currency notes has been referred to the design committee, the MP informed the gathering.

The Chief Minister has already earmarked Rs one crore for completion of the office of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad which is being constructed at Sangaipat.

Moreover, necessary budgetary allocation has been made to give an annual recurring grant of Rs 10 lakh to the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, he said.

The matter of cultural policy demands a collective deliberation, he continued.

"I think horses/ponies are more appropriate to be adopted as State animal in place of Sangai", Leisemba Sanajaoba opined.

"No doubt, Sangai is a very rare animal but the contribution of Sangai to the history of Manipur is negligible.

On the other hand, the contributions of horses/ponies in protecting the sovereignty and integrity of Manipur are so immense", he asserted.

However, these days many ponies are knocked down by speeding vehicles, flogged mercilessly and sometimes attacked with machetes, he decried.

The MP said that he has been thinking seriously to do something for horses/ponies.

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