Manipur Govt stands for unity of Manipuris outside the State: Mirabai
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 04 2015 : Addressing Manipuris living in different parts of the globe, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai on Friday stated that Manipur Government stands for the unity of all the Manipuris around the world and that they should never have the feeling of being left out.

The Minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the four-day Imphal Literature Festival organised by Sahitya Thoupang Lup (Sathoulup) at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound.

Attending the function as Chief Guest, AK Mirabai expressed delight on learning that Meeteis from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Tripura and Assam have come to the Manipur with an aim to promote Manipuri literature and culture.

On the occasion, the minister also proposed that other events should also be held to bring all the Manipuris around the world apart from the literature festival.

Assuring to extend possible help to Manipuris who are settled outside the State, AK Mirabai mentioned that she will consult the Chief Minister on the issue.

four-day Imphal Literature Festival

Art and Culture Secretary K Radhakumar who attended the function as President stated that the setting up of a cultural university in Manipur had been necessitated by the fact that the State's rich indigenous culture had to be preserved and promoted.

Calling on all to accord priority on preservation of culture, K Radhakumar also informed that a film policy will also be implemented soon.

K Sundargopal from Myanmar who attended the function as one of the Special Guests said that according to the 1965 census report, the population of Meeteis in Myanmar was around 60 thousand.

However the actual number has now dwindled considerably, he lamented.

He also appealed the Government of India to extend help in promoting Meetei language and culture in Myanmar.

It may be mentioned that Manipuri writers and language activists from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Assam and Tripura are taking part in the four-day festival.

During the opening ceremony, poetry books "Nong amadi Upambi" authored by Manipuri poet of Bangladesh, Konthoujam Suranjit and "Pebetki Pena" authored by Chingkhei Angom were also released.

Prominent translator Rajkumar Brajendra Singh was also awarded with the Nongthombam Kunjamohan Prize.

On the second day of the festival, various programmes have been planned at Loktak Lake area.

The programme will be sponsored by Loktak Khorjei Lup.

On the third day, a rally on the theme of "Pen and Peace" will be organised in Kakching sponsored by Library and Information Centre, Kakching.

A symposium on "Lam amagi houjik oiriba Sahitya gi phivam" and poem recitation will also be held during the programme.

The closing ceremony of the festival has been planned to hold on December 7 at LLYC Ground, Sagolband.