Bodies pick flaws in MM, back 1989 panel report
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 19 2023:
Maintaining that the current Meetei Mayek script adopted by the state cannot read the old manuscripts, All Manipur Manuscript Custodians' Association general secretary Dr N Devendra has appealed to the state government to implement the 'Meitei Mayek Expert Sub-Committee Report, 1989' .
Addressing a press meet at Uripok, here, on Sunday, Dr Devendra said that old manuscripts did not use the current script adopted by the government and it cannot read manuscripts and precisely specify stone inscriptions found in different parts of the state.
University students will face hurdles in researching historical texts including agreements signed between the king of Manipur and the British, he said and added that it will lead to losing many historical facts.
Dr Devendra also urged the government to take up initiatives for resolving the disagreement regarding the original script of the Meeteis.
He further informed that the agreement signed between Maharaja Gambhir Singh and East India Company on April 18,1833 was written in both Meitei Mayek and English.
The agreement is in the custody of national archives in New Delhi, and the state government should seek transfer of the document to the state archives.
No king or government authority can make any official announcement or declaration to stop using the scripts used in such documents, manuscriptsand Stone inscriptions, the general secretary contended.
He also said that the claim that the script adopted by the government cannot read earlier texts is supported by the stone inscriptions found at Konthoujam Lairemma, Khoibu, Ningel, Leishangk-hong, old coins and Yumdaba Puya.
The present script has many limitations in writing many words such as Mee (human) and surname Kshetrimayum, he pointed out.
Dr Devendra also urged the government to identify the scripts used in writing manuscripts like Gheitharol Kumbaba, Ningthourol Lambuba, Poireiton Khunthokpa and Panthoibi Khongpl among others, and adopt the authentic script.
Meitei Leimarol Art Performing Centre representative RK Netasana emphasised on the role of 60 MLAs and subject experts in adopting the genuine script.
Learning the incomplete script will have no meaning if they cannot interpret old manuscripts and historical texts, Netasana said.
Sanamahi Devine Society president Bidhu recalled that a delegation of different bodies working in this field met chief minister N Biren recently and brought up the issue.
The CM assured of doing the needful and entrusted an assistant professor of Manipur University of Culture for the task, he said while expressing gratitude to the CM for his response.
He then appealed to the government to frame a policy for script that can read the manuscripts over and above the existing 27-letter script.
Representatives of Poirei Inat Sindamshang, Meijrao and N Khelchandra Trust also attended the press meet.