Language fund
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 18 2013:
Pointing out that Government of India earmarks substantial amount of Language Development Fund, Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya suggested that the Government of Manipur apprise Ministry of Human Resource Development with a project proposal for developing Meetei Mayek.
Speaking as the chief guest at the 10th foundation anniversary celebration of Meetei erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL), Kangleipak at GM Hall today, the MP said as financial support is a necessity for development of the indigenous script the State Government may seek fund from the Centre for further promotion and development of Meetei Mayek.
Suggesting that the fund proposal could be for developing a dictionary on the indigenous script, he also reminded that inspite of the State Government granting recognition to the 27-letter Meetei Mayek more than a decade back through a gazette notification the official language continues to be inscribed as 'written in Bengali script' .
Expressing that retaining Bengali script as the official language is an antidote to the recognition of Meetei Mayek, the MP proposed that official declaration be made for Meetei Mayek as the official language.
Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan, who also attended the anniversary celebration, highlighted that script defines progressive status of a particular society or community while absence of own script often invokes derogatory comments by others.
observing that inclusion of Meetei Mayek script in school curriculum from primary level to class IX standard will not only spur further development of the indigenous script but also a testimony that the script is gaining popularity, he also expressed elation that Meetei Mayek would be one of the subjects in HSLC examinations in the near future.
Along with suggesting that advertisement and sign boards of commercial outlets carry Meetei Mayek in a more distinct manner instead of the present practice of English overshadowing the indigenous script, the MLA also proposed MEELAL take the initiative to include Meetei mayek in newspaper editorials in the coming months.
He also asserted that there is need for sustained campaign to replace all other scripts with Meetei Mayek.
As a part of the celebration a souvenir and an audio CD cassette were also released on the occasion.