Governor calls for code of conduct for martial arts
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 18 2011:
With a call from the Governor Gurbachan Jagat to adopt a code of conduct for Manipuri martial arts for its survival and development.
He was speaking on the concluding day of the North East Festival of Martial Art (Thang-Ta).
The festival was organized by the Kanglei Enat Thang-Ta Shindam Shanglen under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.
Speaking as chief guest, Gurbachan Jagat asserted that in the present day world various forms of martial arts are practiced for physical fitness, recreation, self-defence, etc., and many are being recognized as competitive sports.
"This permits the old tradition to survive in this highly competitive modern world.
For the Manipuri martial arts to survive and develop in the present time, it is essential to adopt codes of conduct after understanding and standardizing the principles," he said.
He said that the arts can be sustained and propagated on the pattern of what was done to traditional martial arts in countries like Japan, China and other Asian countries by involving educational institutions.
A close example would be the incorporation of yoga in school education in India.
The Governor also expressed hope that the organisation of the North East Festival of Thang-Ta in Imphal will certainly help in studying in detail its philosophy and also in finding out any requirements for further development of the arts.
Efforts made by the Kangla Enat Thang-Ta Shindam Shanglen in this regard deserve encouragement and support, he said complimenting the ministry of culture, New Delhi for sponsoring the festival.
He also appreciated Guru L Heramot Meitei, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, for authoring a book on Manipur Martial Art�Thang Ta saying that it will not only be academically valuable but also highly beneficial to the learners and practitioners of the art.