"More action, less talk needed to promote Meetei Mayek"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 15 2020: Prior to the commemoration of 291st Puya Mei Thaba, which was one of the darkest incidents in the history of Manipur, International Observation Committee on Puya Meithaba (ICOP) Kangleipak organised Black Day at Khuman Maheikol in Mayang Imphal yesterday.

The Black Day observation will be continued till January 16.GP Women College Assistant Professor Dr Waikhom Romesh, ICOP president Namoijam Tomba, Khuman Maheikol Principal Naorem Manglemjao and ICOP convenor Moirangthem Naokhamba Meetei attended the function as the chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Professor Dr Waikhom Romesh expressed apprehension that Meitei Mayek is on the verge of extinction as the State Government has not taken up necessary steps to promote and uphold the script or the language despite many assurance and slogans to save Meitei/Meetei Mayek.

As Meetei/Meitei script is being substituted by Bengali script in the Manipur Official Language Act 1979, people are still been refrained from using/writing the indigenous script at examinations or while issuing an official notification.

On the other hand, the Meetei/Meitei Mayek grammar, which is essential for beginners and learners, has also been translated from English, he said while adding that literature is not the only aspect in promoting a language or script.

Maintaining that there is not a single Government institute for Meetei/Meitei Mayek, Dr Waikhom Romesh added that people of the State and others coming from outside face immense inconveniences while conducting research/survey about the indigenous script.

Although many eligible candidates have passed the TET for Meitei Mayek, not a single Meitei Mayek teacher has been appointed to any Government institutes till date, he alleged.

Meanwhile, other subject teachers are taking up Meitei Mayek classes at private institutes, he added.

Promoting an indigenous script/language takes more than just expressing verbal love for the language.

It is needed to actually transform the love into action and take up necessary measures which can help save Meitei Mayek, he asserted.

He further stated that the State Government should not only hand over the responsibility of upholding the language/script to the Language Directorate but have a political will to strive towards promoting and safeguarding the script.

As part of the observation, students, teachers and all those who were present at the gathering wore a badge to recall the dark incident while the seven coloured flag was hoisted at half mast.

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