Chaoba flays
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 09 2013 :
Former Union Minister Thounaojam Chaoba has today asserted that a separate directorate should be set up for Manipuri language.
Speaking as chief guest at the 11th foundation day anniversary of Kangleipak Loinashillon Apunba Marup (KALAM) at Manipur Press Club here, Chaoba flayed that the Government of Manipur has paid little attention towards development of Manipuri language or opening a separate directorate for the language even though it has been more than 20 years since Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule.
It was on August 20, 1992 that Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule together with Nepali and Konkani.
For Konkani, a separate directorate was set up soon after the language was included in the 8th Schedule and several programmes taken up for its development.
However, there is only one indistinct cell called Manipuri Language Cell which is attached to the Directorate of Education (S) .
Asserting that a separate directorate should be set up for Manipuri language without fail, the former Union Minister recalled that he was able to speak Manipuri in the Parliament after the language was included in the 8th Schedule.
"As I started speaking Manipuri repeatedly, a Manipuri interpreter was appointed in the Parliament", Chaoba said.
In case BJP emerges victorious in the 2014 parliamentary elections, a separate directorate for Manipuri language would be set up definitely, he added.
Besides, Th Chaoba, the foundation day anniversary function was also attended by KALAM president IC Asem and ZEO Zone-I DI K Sonamani as president and guest of honour respectively.
The Leishangthem Somananda Ningshing Loinashillon Mana 2012 was conferred to Soubam Tomba Luwang during the function.
The award carried a citation, a shawl and cash prize of Rs three thousands.