81st foundation day of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad CM calls for hill-valley integrity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 15 2016: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has called for hill-valley emotional and cultural integrity through literature.

He was speaking at Manipuri Sahitya Parishad's 81st foundation day celebration cum awards distribution function held at Chandrakirti auditorium today.

The Chief Minister said that the root causes for most of the issues besieging the State are disunity, distrust and narrow mindedness.

At this critical juncture, the writers need to unite people through their write-ups, he observed.

Saying that Manipuri literature contains facets of both hill and valley areas, Ibobi urged the people of the State to put in efforts to bring equal progress for the literature of both the hills and valley.

He urged the writers belonging to valley areas to understand, study and research the literature of the hills as well.

The Chief Minister also urged them to translate Meitei literature into tribal dialect and tribal literature into Manipuri language to enhance hill-valley bonding.

Saying that it is high time to bring peace and harmony through mutual cooperation, Ibobi urged the writers to suggest the Government on how to bring progress to the literature of both hills and valley.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister said that Manipuri Sahitya Parishad has proposed the State Government to press the demand for recognizing Manipuri language as a classical language to the Centre.

Saying that the Parishad has proposed the matter at the right time, the Chief Minister said the State Government would do the needful in this regard as the Centre would take up all necessary steps to enhance the status of Manipuri language if it is recognised as a classical language of the country.

Stating that Manipuri dance, theatre and sports are known to the world, the Chief Minister said that Manipuri literature is less popular when compared to Manipuri culture and sports.

However, it is not that Manipuri literature is inferior but it lacks promotion, he said.

The masterpieces of great Manipuri poets and writers must be promoted to the world by translating it into different languages, Ibobi said.

Manipuri Sahitya Parishad president Thoidingjam Tombi and Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya attended the function as functional president and guest of honour respectively.

Sahitya Parishad awards were presented to 14 artistes, cash awards to four artistes and four writers, gold medals to five artistes and two writers at the function.

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