Manipuri Sahitya Parishad celebrates platinum jubilee
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, November 22 2010: Ninety year old Furailatpam Bihari has been honored with Sahitya Sebak Award 2010 along with 34 others.

The awards carried cash and medals which was given out by state Governor Gurbachan Jagat, attending as chief guest in the culmination function of the Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Platinum Jubilee Celebration 2010-2011.The occasion honored celebrated people who have nourished and contributed in the field of literature, dance, arts and culture.

Devgyani Chalika from Kolkata has also been honored a cash prize of Rs.10,000 in the name of Guru Maisnam Amuba Samman for her contribution to the field of Manipur dance (classical).

Governor Gurbachan Jagat honouring an artist; Prof N Tombi looks on

In all, Governor today gave away 21 awards, 5 cash awards, and 8 gold medals.

In his address to the audience, the Governor lauded that Manipuri Sahitya Parishad with a host of pioneers has been contributing its best towards the development and promotion of Manipuri literature, language and culture since its inception in 1935 .

Literature is the mirror of any society, reflecting it social and cultural mores.

Manipur has had a long and rich literary tradition and its beauty lies in the richness and diversity of Manipur's traditional heritage, he went on to say.

After heaping praises for pioneers in Manipuri literature like Chaoba, Kamal and Anganghal, Gurbachan proposed that, since Manipur today is passing through a difficult periods and mutual mistrust amongst the different communities, all writers and poets should focus mainly on the need to inculcate moral values, a sense of unity and integrity, hope and nationalism in the minds of its readers.

Speaking as functional president in the occasion, Prof.N Tombi Singh, President of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, said that the Sahitya can be an agent of peace in society.

He also congratulated the awardees for their contributions to Manipuri literature, dance, arts and culture.

He encouraged budding litt�rateurs to work hard for the future of Manipuri literature saying that the fruits can be reaped later on in old age.