Manipuri language in currency notes soon: MP
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 15 2022: Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba has said that new currency notes of India would figure Manipuri language as assurance for the same has been given by relevant authority.

Sanajaoba stated this during the 15th death anniversary observance of Chingsubam Akaba, who shouldered immense responsibility in safeguarding Manipuri language, script, culture and identity apart from strengthening relation between hill and valley people.

The main observance function was held at Rupmahal Theatre here after people and his family members paid floral tributes at his statue installed at Wakha Leima Ching in Imphal East district.

Attending as chief guest of the function, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that Manipuri language was included in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution in the year 1992 but unable to figure in the currency notes till date when other languages included in the 8th Schedule along with Manipuri had already figured.

After the matter was brought up in the Parliament, the Reserve Bank of India has taken up necessary steps and the bank had already sent the matter to design committee.

The bank has issued statement for inclusion of Manipuri language in the new currency notes, he added.

According to the MP, he raised the matter of inclusion of Manipur language among the classical languages of India in the Parliament in September, 2020 and Union government too had given a positive response in this regard.

The state government too had been informed to forward relevant documents but department concerned is yet to send necessary documents till date, he said and expressed displeasure over sluggishness on the matter.

India has many languages but only six figure in the classical language category and Manipuri will be the seventh if included, the Rajya Sabha MP said and maintained that inclusion of Manipuri language in the classical language category would help in preservation and promotion of the language.

Leishemba Sanajaoba further said that he brought up the matter of declaration of Kangla as a world heritage site and upgrade of Manipur University of Culture as central university in the Parliament.

Though the Centre gave positive response about Kangla, state government is yet to take up any positive step, he said, adding that there are only three cultural universities in India and MUC was the second one to establish but it lags behind the other two and yet to have its own campus.

The observance function was also attended by WAMA Kangleipak president Moirangthem Naokhamba, Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur chief patron Moirangthem Naodalenkhomba Meetei, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council life time secretary Sougrakpam Hemanta and social worker Rajen Ayangba.

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