State Literature Award presented
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 27 2013 : Governor Gurbachan Jagat has presented the prestigious State Literature Award 2012 to novelist Kshetrimayum Bira Singh today in a glittering award ceremony held at Kangla Hall here.

The writer, popularly known as Kshetri Bira, was conferred the award for his novel 'Nangbu Ngaibada' .

The award, instituted by the State Education (S) department carries a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh, a shawl and a citation.

The award presentation ceremony was graced by Governor Gurbachan Jagat; noted lyricist B Jayentakumar Sharma and Education Minister M Okendra as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.

Ksh Bira was born to Ksh Kundra Singh and Nongmaithem (N) Ksh (O) Henoubi Devi on July 22, 1944 at Kakching Makha Leikai.

The writer now settled at Kakching Sumak Leikai.

Besides, the award winning novel, 'Nangbu Ngaibada,' some of the illustrious books/novels written, to his credit, by Bira included 'Hinglambani Migidamak,' 'Phirep,' 'Wari Libiyu.' Nangbu Ngaibada has won him several accolades and awards like Sahitya Akademi Award 2011; Y Surlata Puruskar 2010; and Dineshwari Sahitya Award 2010 .

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Gurbachan Jagat noted that languages with lesser number of speakers are being wiped out and languages with more speakers are pushing out the smaller ones in the fast changing global environment while underlining the tremendous challenges for its survival for posterity faced by Manipuri and its sister dialects.

Observing that Manipuri literature has grown tremendously with books on different genres available during the last few decades, Gurbachan also noted that growth is unknown to the outside world.

While lauding the efforts of the department concerned in recognising creative talents, he also stressed on the need to make efforts for translating Manipuri works into English and other languages so that the popularity of the creative writers will become household names in both inside and outside India.

He also expressed concern over the few number of recipients of Padmashri in literature from the State although creative writers of the State are second to none while adding that this is mainly due to fact that the richness of Manipuri literature is largely unknown to the outside world.

Elaborating that more support and patronage is needed from the State Government to creative writers, not only for Manipuri language but also for other tribal dialects, the Governor suggested that the State Govt could provide the needed patronage in a systematic manner for the growth of any language.

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