Meitei shrines likely to be destroyed after 10 yrs: Maniton
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 05 2022:
Despite claiming to be the newly constructed version of different shrines belong ing to Meitei community, the shrines lack everything that has to do with the religion of the Meitei community.
Thus, it is only a matter time, more specifically in 10 years that the people would be destroying all of these shrines, Umanglai Kanba Apuba Lup (UKAL) convenor and national and international awardee Mutum Maniton has stated.
He made the statement during the inaugural function of the new Shanglen of Lainingthou Puthiba organised by Lainingthou Puthiba Haraoba Committee at Langthabal Nambul Mapal on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Maniton highlighted that Maiba-Maibi (Priest-Priestess) now have to.
adhere to the rules and regulations and carry out their functions in an academic manner during the Lai Haraoba festivities.
He then said that UKAL has been monitoring the construction of various Shanglen/shrines.
However, many of these shrines are being constructed willfully without bearing any aspect of Meitei.
An example would be the many RCC shrines constructed by Andro ex-MLA Th Shyamkumar, costing crore of rupees.
However, these shrines would soon be destroyed by the people in the next 10-15 years, while the Lainingthou Puthiba Shrine constructed by Lainingthou Puthiba Haraoba Committee president N Ibochouba will continue to stand till the end of time, he remarked.
Highlighting the interests of Korean, Japanese and European countries in the Lai Haraoba festival of the state; Maniton said that due to the frequency of celebration of Lainingthou Puthiba, people from abroad associate festival with Lainingthou Puthiba.
"However, when these researchers ask about the dilapidated condition of the shrines, it is hard to give an appropriate response.
As such, it is rare for people like Ibochouba to build such a beautiful shrine.
In addition to this, there is the need for proper maintenance," he said, while adding that the shrine is not just for the people of Langthabal but for the entire state.
He continued: "Nowadays, Lai Haraoba festival is being taught at the university level.
The festival cannot be celebrated willy-nilly.
We could be part of the globalisation age, while upholding our identity at the same time.
Failing to do so would only lead to the disappearance of such a small community like ours just like other small communities, which have long ceased to exist".
In his presidential speech, United Committee Langthabal chairman and Bhartia Infra Project Limited managing director Ningombam Ibochouba said that after witnessing the poor condition of the shrine, he consulted with the Lai Committee and the locals for reconstruction of the shrine.
He then urged against associating the activities of Lainingthou Puthiba Haraoba Committee with politics, while contending that the shrine is not connected to his politics either.
The inaugural function was attended by Hiyangthang ZP member Sarangthem ongbi Shilasan, Langthabal Naorem Leikai ZP member Leimajam Roshan, and Langthabal Mantrikhong Naorem Leikai GP pradhan Aheibam Sunanda among others.