MEELAL details development
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21 2013:
The State Cabinet will soon finalise a decision on replacing the 'written in Bengali script' clause in the Manipuri Official Language Act 1979 with 'written in Meetei mayek script' said Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (Meelal) president Sadokpam Tomba Mangang.
Speaking to newspersons about recent development in the promotion of the indigenous script and upcoming campaigns at its office today, Tomba said Education Minister M Okendro has intimated to the script advocates that the Cabinet will undertake relevant official measures for inclusion of 'written in Meetei Mayek script' clause in the Language Act.
Amendment of the Act will help further development and promotion of the indigenous script as well as mark the beginning for imprinting Meetei Mayek in the Indian currency notes, said the Meelal president.
Welcoming DGP MK Das' announcement that all police department signboards will have Meetei Mayek imprints and hailing the gesture as the State police chief honouring the indigenous script, he also urged the DGP to direct that all police vehicles include the script in the number plates along with Roman/English scripts.
Stating that campaign for inclusion of Meetei Mayek in vehicle number plates is still on along with confiding that unions of passenger carriers have assured cooperation in promoting the script, Tomba also suggested that Ministers/MLAs have the script in their vehicles, DO letters, receipt books, etc like Thanga AC MLA N Mangibabu whose vehicles already have Meetei Mayek number plates.
conveying gratitude to the CM and the Education Minister for their initiative in the setting up of a Language Directorate, the Meelal chief also informed that a joint of the Education Minister, Language Director and Commissioner with members of Meetei Mayek Expert Committee on November 14 held detailed discussion on replacement of the bengali script with Meetei Mayek in the Language Act 1979 .
In case the Act is amended current practice of bilingual publication of school text books would be phased out from 2014 onward for which a Language Expert Committee under the Language Directorate would be tasked to take suitable measures.
On the otherhand, Meelal secretary P Thakaba said a discussion would be organised at GM Hall from December 20 till 22 during which experts will deliberate on six academic subjects including literature, political science and geography.
To make the upcoming event successful and effective, Meelal has reportedly approached ZEOs concerned to facilitate participation of atleast two subject experts from each of the zones.
Noting that intimation sent to the JN Navodaya head office in Shillong after a special meeting attended by Navodaya representatives is yet to evoke positive response, Thakaba said until and unless Navodaya authorities convey their stand on the meeting proceedings fresh admission process slated for February 8 will be prohibited.
He also conveyed Meelal's condolences on the untimely demise of Ningthoujam Ashangbi, who was Meelal Bishnupur district unit education secretary.