'Allow writing of Manipuri Paper in UPSC civil services exams in both Bengali and Meetei Mayek'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 09 2023:
Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has raised a special motion in the Parliament yesterday to allow the writing of Manipuri literature optional papers in UPSC civil services exams in both Bengali and Meetei Mayek.
Urging the Central Government to allow the writing of Manipuri literature optional papers in UPSC civil services exams in both Bengali and Meetei Mayek, the MP informed that a total of 500 marks has been allotted for Manipuri literature optional paper which has been divided into Paper I and II .
The MP further informed that the State Government had initiated the process of replacing Bengali with Meetei Mayek in a phase wise manner since 2006 .
Accordingly, the same was implemented in schools, colleges and universities thereby producing students who have studied Meetei Mayek till post graduate level.
However the major concern is that these students are unable to appear for Manipuri Optional papers in UPSC civil services exams since they have not studied Bengali which is really unfortunate, he added.
Leishemba Sanajaoba further highlighted the demands raised by the students urging the Central Government to allow to writing of Manipuri paper in Meetei Mayek and termed that it is a legitimate demand.
Considering the gravity of the issue, the MP urged the Central Government to change the current instructions of Manipuri optional paper in UPSC civil services exams which read as "answer must be written in Manipuri (Bengali script)" to "answer must be written in Manipuri (Bengali or Meetei Script)" thereby enabling the students to write the paper in both Bengali and Meetei Mayek.