Govt urged to uphold interest of Manipuri diaspora
Source: Chronicle News Service / Bishorjit Yumnam

Sylhet, April 20 2022: Noted writer of Sylhet, Bangladesh AK Seram has drawn the attention of Government of Manipur for taking up a special programme for diaspora living outside the state, especially in Bangladesh where Manipuris residing are in fear that their language, tradition and culture may disappear.

Speaking to a team of journalists from Manipur visiting Bangladesh who met him at his residence at Sapam Leikai, Sylhet, Bangladesh, AK Seram referred to historians' account that Manipuris started settling down in Tripura and other areas during the time of Maharaj Khagemba with Vishgaon village under Sylhet sub-division one of the first places where Manipuris settled in present-day Bangladesh.

In the past, Meetei population owned large tracts of land and had numerous settlements, but today the Meetei villages have dwindled with many leaving for other places.

As per a population survey done in 1978, the population of Meetei community was 10,000 but in the 2008 survey the figure decreased to 8000 .

This may be due to loss of livelihood, for example, the major occupation of Meeteis living in Sylhet city was goldsmithery and motor workshop but with time these jobs have been replaced by machineries.

Thus, loss of jobs has prompted many to sell their properties and leave for other places, he observed.

AK Seram also lamented that the government of Bangladesh does not recognises 'Meeteilon' spoken by the minority Meetei community, as well as claims are being made by Bishnupriya community over the language.

All these, and loss of tradition and culture of Meetei is very regretful.

There are signs of minority Meetei community in their daily interaction with majority community are forgetting their own mother language with many youths unable to fluently speak, read and write in 'Meeteilon', he also regretted.

AK Seram also mentioned that despite these issues there have been some developments with Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad in 2008 taking up measures for preservation and propagation of 'Meeteilon'.

Senior cultural artistes have established Manipur Cultural Complex at Bhanugash to revitalise the cultural and traditional practices of the community.

He called upon the Government of Manipur and CSOs of the state to shoulder the responsibility for reinvigorating the language and culture of state among Manipuri diaspora living in other parts of the world.

Comment