KFG 'Langban' summit held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09 2014:
The 'Langban' summit of the Kangla Facebook Group (KFG) was held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound today.
The dignitaries who attended the summit as presidium members were, Secy of Council of Hr Sec Education Manipur, Khundrakpam Sarangajit; DDO and HOO of SCERT, Aheibam Romel; MIMS, MU Prof Ch Ibohal Meetei; Chairman of Kangla Religious Committee, Prof Sairem Nilbir; Social Worker K Ibochou Meetei; Principal of Lamka College, Dr Mangsatabam Lokendra, Principal of Brilliance School Uripok H Sonamani and Meetei Mayek Expert Committee member Dr Waikhom Romesh.
While giving the keynote address of the summit, member of KFG, Nongthang said that the people of Manipur have its own culture and have always wanted to live independently.
During the reign of Pamheiba, a strong wave of the west Indian culture swept away almost all the indigenous culture of Manipur.
Even the holy book 'Puya' of Manipur was set ablaze.
People were forced to adopt a new religion called 'Hinduism'.
Gods and Godesses were started to be renamed on the basis of Hindu religion.
The supporters of Hinduism did not even spare the articles related to 'Umang Lai' and its stories.
In short, the people of Manipur lost their indigenous culture along with all the ritual guides related to life and death altogether.
"The Langban summit was organised to preserve our lost culture.
KFG has organised this summit for the first time and the group is planning to organise the summit every year", Nongthang concluded.
Principal, H Sonamani said that the migrant culture has not only swept away the indigenous culture of Manipur but also has influenced the Manipuri language.
The perfect example of this influence can be seen in the names of people.
Children are named after hindi words.
Later, English names became popular.
Naming the children with Manipuri names would be a significant step towards reviving the lost culture of Manipur, he added.