Cash incentive for best book in Meetei Mayek announced
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 21 2011:
A cash reward of Rs 1 lakh would be given to best book in Meetei Mayek starting from next year, President of Research Forum, Manipur (REFORM) Mutua Bahadur has announced on the occasion of 4th foundation day of the Forum held at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.
Mutua Bahadur said that presentation of cash reward of Rs 1 lakh to the best book in Meetei Mayek, whether it be anthology of poems, short stories or articles, novels, etc would be started from next year on the occasion of the foundation day of the Forum during the month of November every year.
The book would be selected by a panel of jury.
The endeavour is being made to promote Meetei Mayek and encourage writers in the native scripts.
Although Manipuri language has been included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the government of Manipur has not yet framed any policy on promotion of Manipuri language nor there has been any definite terminology of Manipuri language, he lamented.
On the other hand, the number of people using Manipuri language has been on the decline and there is the wrong notion among the people that writing application in Manipuri language is unsophisticated and rustic.
However, in country like Bangadesh, application written in English is not acceptable as official.
This is an indication of how the people of that country love the native language and script, Mutua Bahadur pointed out.
He observed that setting up of a cultural college in Manipur is essential to dispel the existing mutual distrust among the hill and the valley people.
There can be peace and harmony in the state, when people of Meetei, Naga, Kuki and other communities understand each other's unique culture and tradition.
Registrar of Manipur University Prof N Loken and Director of Planning Dr Th Muhindro also shared the dais along with Mutua Bahadur at the foundation day function.
As part of the foundation day observance, Editor of ISTV Rupachandra Yumnam and Prof N Loken spoke as resource persons.