RK Maipaksana
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 11 2014 :
RK Maipaksana Memorial Trust celebrated the 90th birth anniversary of RK Maipaksana at GP Women's College today.
Event president Sagolsem Indrakumar, former Director, Doordarshan presented this year's RK Maipaksana Memorial Fellowship Award to Columnist Budha Chingtham of The Sangai Express along with a citation and a cash award of Rs 3000 .
Renowned environmentalist Dr Khagembam Shamungou delivered RK Maipaksana's memorial lecture in today's function.
He also elaborated on the relationship shared by bird, culture and environment in the making of the land.
These are he said, the three stands of a tripod, one cannot be complete without others or vice versa.
The North Eastern part of India, including Manipur, is known as biological hotspot to other parts of India.
Manipur, as such has an abundant growth of trees and subsequently has large varieties of animals and birds.
Broadly speaking, Dr Shamungou added, there are two types of birds found in Manipur, migratory and non-migratory.
Manipur, which occupy only 0.9 percent of India, has about 600 bird species out of the total 2000 bird species found in the whole of India.
These birds are closely related to the myths, folktales and traditions of the State.
To cite an example, the bird species Greater Coucal or Crow Pheasant (Nongoubi in Manipuri) is known for its ability to predict weather.
The name Nongoubi was attributed to the bird for this specific quality of predicting rain (Nong- meaning 'rain' in English; koubi implying 'calling out'), Dr Shamungou said.
The pigeon was also considered one of the most important bird by ancestors.
They were largely reared at home signifying the tender relationship between nature and Man.
It is still considered a good omen in the Meitei culture to feed pigeons sauntering in the yard with grains or breadcrumbs, he added.