'Puya Mei Thaba' to be commemorated on Jan 13
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 26 2014:
'Puya Mei Thaba' (burning of scriptures) will be commemorated on January 13 next year along with presentation of two awards.
This was announced at a press conference held at MEELAL office on Tuesday.
Talking to the media, vice-president of MEELAL Moirangthem Naokhamba stated that this will be the 286th anniversary of 'Puya Mei Thaba' and the 37th observance of the Day.
Various bodies including MEELAL, MIKOL, UKAL, United Manipur Muslim Women Organisation, All Manipur Recognised Private Schools Association and Manipur State Shumang Lila Council will jointly organise the observance function.
After floral offering and other rituals at Kangla, the observance will be held at THAU ground Thangmeiband.
The gathering of people of hills and valley together will stage a rally from Kangla to the venue of the function.
On the eve of the observance, school students of the state will wear black badge to share the nostalgia of the burning of important scriptures of this land 285 years ago.
"Chingmee Tammee Nungshi Lipun Award" and "Maichou Ningshing Award" carrying a cash amount of Rs.10,000 will also be presented during the function, in which the Manipur State Shumang Lila Council is set to display the Shumang Lila entitled "Kangleipakta 1709" .
MIKAL member Sagolsemcha Yaikhomba told the media that 'Puyas' are important documents which included information on culture, tradition, language, history and all other aspects of Manipur society.
The burning of Puyas was an infortunate event, he added.
It was during the time of King Pamheiba who was enthroned at Kangla in 1709 that the important books were burnt down with instigation from Santidas Goshai on the 13th day of Meitei month 'Phairen' in 1716. The incident amounted to burning of all generations of this land, asserted Yaikhomba.
The 'Puya Meekonba' programme is scheduled to be held on this day, January 13 in order to bring back the aesthetic beauty and unity among the people of this land.
Saying that people from Myanmar, Canada, Bangladesh and others will also come to take part in the observance, he appealed to the people to participate in the function.