State literature award conferred to N SriBiren posthumously
Minister Okendro for increasing prize money, translation of all Manipuri literature in Meetei Mayek
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 16 2012: The Manipur State Award for Literature, 2012 was posthumously conferred to Nongthongbam SriBiren for his poetry book 'Chatloiko Ei Mapham Keidasu' during an impressive function at Kangla Hall here today.

Education Minister Moirangthem Okendro, who attended the function as Chief Guest, handed over the award to Nongthongbam Ongbi Karuna, wife of late SriBiren.

The award carries a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Okendro observed that since the award is important as far as promotion of Manipuri literature is concerned, he would take up the matter at the Chief Minister's level to see that the cash reward is increased to Rs 2 lakhs by next year.

Pointing out that teaching and learning in Meetei Mayek has already been started in schools, Minister Okendro emphasized on the need to translate all the Manipuri literature written in Bengali script into Meetei Mayek so as to avoid possible gap in the teaching/learning process.

Education Minister Okendra handing over Manipur state award for literature to wife of Late SriBiren

There is also the need to discuss the matter with experts and other elderly people and suggestions in this regard would be welcomed, the Minister added.

Reiterating that the website of the Education Department has also been upgraded, the Minister said that every good suggestion from the public would be of great help in improving the education system of the state.

Minister maintained that Manipur has emerged as one of the best place in country for education.

Recently, Md Ismat from Manipur outsmarted all his competitors in the CBSE exam, 2012.Still, we need to bring about further development in the field of education and literature.

AK Mirabai, Minister of Social Welfare, who presided over the function, pointed out that education is an integral part of our life.

So, we need to pay more attention to human resource development in the state.

We also need to give our best regards and respect to all those elderly persons who have enriched Manipur literature.

Kh Prakash, Sahitya Akademi awardee, who was also present on the occasion as Guest of Honour, stressed on the need to increase the cash price of Manipur State Award for Literature.

It may be noted here that apart from many other prestigious awards, late SriBiren had also been honoured with Manipur State Kala Akademi Award for Literature in 1973 and Kavi Ratna Award in 2002 by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad in recognition of his contribution towards development of Manipuri literature.