Imphal literature Festival 2022 underway
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, November 25 2022:
Imphal Literature Festival, which is being organised by Sahitya Thoupang Lup in association with Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Meghalaya, Phunga Heritage, Shillong, and JN Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal as part of the Manipur Sangai Festival, commenced from Friday at JNMDA auditorium, here.
The three-day literature festival is being organised with support from Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), North East and under the sponsorship of the department of tourism.
Education minister Thounaojam Basantakumar and ICCR North East Zonal director Munish Ningthoujam attended the inaugural function as chief guest and president respectively while Bangla Academy, Dhaka deputy director Md Sahadat Hossain and eminent Sri Lankan writer Ayathuraj Santhang were pres ent as guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, minister Basantakumar informed that the ethnic language learning courses initiated by the government will be of two months' duration and the learners will be paid monthly stipend.
As all the indigenous com munities of the state have their own culture, language and tradition, understanding the ethnic languages would help in improving inter-personal relationship and in bringing emotional integration among the communities, he said.
Today, the world is considered a global village and literature is a crucial part of communication as it connects the people of different communities and countries.
Organising such festival with participation from different countries is a good initiative.
Writers from different countries will get a platform to interact, share their works and ideas through his platform, the minister maintained, while applauding organisers for their vision and efforts to add flavour to the Manipur Sangai Festival.
The minister also released 'Voices Now World Poetry Today - International Anthology of English Poetry' edited by Braja K Sorkar & Bine Laha; essay book 'Leigee Laishang' written by G Binmadhav Sharma; and poetry book 'Mangal-gee Lambi' written by N Ranjita on the occasion.
Sangai Award was also presented to Environmental Social Reformation and Sangai Protection Forum, Keibul Lamjao.
Later, the participating writers presented their poems and short stories.
On the other hand, presentation of poems and short stories were organised at Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang and Mandha Island, Loktak Lake as part of the literature festival, which will continue till November 27 at different locations.