Sanajaoba hopeful of getting classical language status
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 23 2022:
"Process for inclusion of Manipur language among classical languages of the country got delayed due to inaction on the part of state government"

Only six out of more than 1,800 languages in the country have been granted classical language status so far but 70 percent of the process for enlisting Manipuri language as the seventh classical language of the country have already been completed and the language will surely get the classical language status, stated titular king of Manipur and Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leishemba.

Addressing a gathering at the opening session of two-day 88th foundation celebration of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal cum 87th annual meet of the Parishad at JN Manipur Dance Academy auditorium here on Thursday, Sanajaoba conceded that though Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in 1992 there has been no significant activity which could honour the language since then.

Something has to be done for Manipuri language rather than merely eulogising it, he said, adding that he initiated the move for inclusion of Manipuri language among classical languages of the country by raising the matter in the Parliament in September, 2020.Recommendation of experts must be forwarded to the Centre through an empowered committee constituted by the state government and the committee would be formed soon and send the recommendation, he added.

Ever since the matter was raised in the Parliament in 2020, Government of India had taken up necessary steps but the process for inclusion of Manipur language among classical languages of the country got delayed due to inaction on the part of state government, Sanajaoba said and expressed his displeasure over delay in taking up necessary action by the state government on issues concerning Manipur when the same were raised and taken up for discussion in the Parliament.

While maintaining that issues he raised in the Parliament were not meant for only publication in newspapers, he said that an MP gets only four chances to raise issues during a Parliament session but issues raised in the Parliament often got delayed when the matter reached the state.

Sanajaoba Leishemba revealed that he is preparing to raise the border issue and Manipuri Pony Project in the upcoming Parliament session.

He also claimed to have raised around 14/15 issues concerning the state since becoming an MP.

The event presided over by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Imphal president Longjam Joychandra was also attended by Dhanamanjuri University vice chancellor professor N Rajmuhon as guest of honour.

As part of the event, a seminar on life and works of Kumari Thoibi Devi was held with the first session moderated by professor Nahakpam Aruna and the second by professor Polem Nabachandra.

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