DESAM urges Govt for upgrade of MUC to central varsity
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 24 2021:
Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has urged the state government to take up necessary initiatives for upgrade of Manipur University of Culture (MUC) to a central university in the larger interest of the people of Manipur in general and student community in particular.
In a release, DESAM secretary general L Lamyanba stated that over the centuries, culture of Manipur has remained beacon, which influences the culture of entire South East Asia through cultural interaction and exchanges.
Precious contribution of Manipur in the held of performing art, sports and intangible culture is recognised all over the world.
In a short span of five years and despite severe resource constraints, MUC has contributed immensely with its unique methodology developed in view of uniqueness of its various art forms.
Rasa Dance, Sankirtana, Thang-Ta and other related performing art forms including the art forms of many tribes are more structured now.
However, it is also demonstrably undeniable fact that resource constraints are major hindrance to achieving its aim and objective, it noted.
DESAM pointed out that the state government in its effort to boost the endeavour of MUC allotted 118 acres (38.081 hectare) of land.
However, that land remains unutilised due to paucity of funds.
Manipur as a state and MUC, as epicentre of cultural resources and activities inherently possesses immense strength as 'culture' is an ejssential element in our relationship with East Asia.
In such scenario, DESAM strongly believes that the upgrade of MUC to a central university will not only ensure smooth flow of funds, essential for promotion and preservation of cultural heritage and strengthening the performing art forms but also to ensure better coordination with East Asian countries, it asserted.
DESAM continued that several new avenues could be opened up, including academic and cultural exchanges which ultimately would strengthen the brotherhood and sense of fraternity on the basis of common cultural elements.
The University will be in a position to open new departments related to language, scripts and multi-disciplinary research essential to establish comprehensiveness of culture of Manipur.
Similarly, skills necessary for arts and crafts which are mainstay of tangible art forms need special attention.
Therefore, there will be possibilities to open up skill development centre for this specific purpose with availability of fund that will lead to employment generation, it added.
DESAM further said that hospitality is the hallmark culture of-Manipur, in its own unique way.
There is the need of incorporating these elements with modern approach and with the conversion this will also assist Manipur in great manner.