Annual meet of Manipur Sahitya Parishad held
Source: Hueiyen News Service / RC Mangangcha & Puyam Romeshwor
Imphal/Moirang, May 09 2015 :
Manipur Sahitya Parishad on Saturday held its 80th annual meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy auditorium here.
Participating in the two-day long event, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam highlighted the need for promoting the development of one's own language, culture and literature.
He stated that the grant amount of Rs 1 lakh given to Manipur Sahitya Parishad by the State Government was inadequate and promised that the Chief Minister would be consulted in this regard.
Hailing the Parishad for its important role in promoting Manipuri language and literature, Gaikhangam stated the State had almost topped all States of North East in the field of literature.
The Deputy CM recounted the immense contribution made by the Parishad in the efforts to include the Meiteilon, the lingua franca of the State, in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
He also stressed the need for writing more good books that can benefit the society.
Education Minister M Okendro was also present during the function.
In his speech, Okendro said promoting the link language Meiteilon was a much-needed task.
He said the Language Directorate had been working for developing all ethnic languages of the State.
Okendro added that the cash award given to persons promoting Manipur Sahitya Parishad had been increased to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.
The minister informed that a lifetime achievement award of Rs 5 lakh would be given to such persons on August 20 next on the Language Day.
Manipur Sahitya Parishad president Thoidingjam Tombi was also among the participants.
Gaikhangam also attended the silver jubilee celebration of St Xavier School, Moirang in Bishnupur district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy CM stated that educational institutes must be set aside as a disturbance-free zone.
Gaikhangam said, "All Missionary schools in the State had been moulding life of many students.
All income coming from these educational institutes is used in developing school infrastructure" .
"We must not give disturbance to these schools," he urged.