Hardly 1000 speak Meiteilon in Myanmar
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 29 2015:
There are hardly 1000 people in Myanmar who can speak Meiteilon and it would be impossible to revive Meiteilon and Meitei community in the neighbouring country without assistance from Manipur, said Myanmar Meitei Diaspora convenor K Sundergopal.
Addressing a small gathering at Soibam Leikai here today, Sundergopal, who is here to participate in the Manipur Sangai Festival 2015, said that no community can survive when their mother tongue is discarded.
Several lakhs of Manipuri people including Meiteis settled in Myanmar (Burma), then known as Ava.
Now there are just around 10,000 Meiteis in Myanmar and hardly 1000 of them could speak Meiteilon.
"We tried to teach Meiteilon to the Meiteis of Myanmar by setting up a small school but the school was not recognised by the military junta.
I served as an officer when Yangon was the capital of Myanmar and lobbied hard to get the school recognised but the matter was always kept in cold storage", Sundergopal said.
"Now we saw a silver lining in the landslide victory of National League for Democracy (NLD) in the recent Myanmar election and we have been very good relation with NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi", he continued.
Yet, only Manipur can revive Meiteilon and Meitei community in Myanmar.
Saying that he was elated on seeing the warm reception given by Manipuri brethren, Sundergopal informed that they would visit Manipur in future too and consult Manipuri people regarding revival of Meiteilon and Meitei community in Myanmar.
A nine-member delegation of Myanmar Meitei Diaspora led by Sundergopal were felicitated by the Research Forum Manipur (REFORM) at Soibam Leikai today.
REFORM presented mementos inscribed with Kanglasha and traditional stoles to the Meitei diasporas.
International Observation Committee on Puya Meithaba (ICOP) convenor Namoijam Tomba also gave them invitation cards for the 289th anniversary of Puya Meithaba scheduled on February 1 next year.
Meitei National Front (MNF) president Ch Wangambi Leima presented Meitei calendars and traditional stoles to the Meitei diasporas of Myanmar.
MEELAL president Moirangthem Naokhomba presented them copies of Meitei Mayek Shindam Lairik (text book) .
REFORM president Naoroibam Indramani gave a brief account of the historical link shared between Myanmar and Manipur.