Naoroibam Indramani conferred Basantakumar Award
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 23 2022: As a part of the World Book Day 2022 celebration, the Heisnam Basantakumar Award 2022 was conferred to eminent writer Naoroibam Indramani in a function held on Saturday at the auditorium of the directorate of Information & Public Relations, Keishampat.

The function was organised by Sahitya Thoupang Lup (SATHOULUP), Imphal.

The award was instituted in memory of Late Heisnam Basantakumar by his son Heisnam Balkrisna, who is also the director of IPR, and his family.

The award carries a sum of Rs 10,000, citation and a shawl.

It may be mentioned that, in his short period of life, Basantakumar (1950-1990) wrote a novel entitled "Mongpham" and poetry entitled "Basanta Paojel".

Speaking as chief guest of the function, litterateur Kangjam Radhakumar (retired IAS) noted that the books written before the advent of Hinduism are seen as a forgotten chapter among the people of the state and for this reason we need to venture into the history of Manipuri literature.

"We need to bridge the gap of the Manipuri literature by exploring the written records," he said.

He further added that the habit of reading books among the youth is declining with the advancement in technology.

"The world is in our palm today because of advancement in technology and we need to adapt to this flow.

This is the time for e-books and e-library and we need to upload books written by eminent writers of the state to find a global platform", he suggested.

Leikol president Kshetrimayum Subadani said that translation of the books written in native language is very important to bridge the gap caused by language barrier.

SATHOULUP needs to organise programme for writers of the state to give them exposure and a platform for their works.

A dictionary of English to Japanese to Manipuri compiled by Ph Nandakumar was also released during the function.

As a part of the programme, recitation of poems by various young poets of the state was also presented.

It may be mentioned that World Book Day is celebrated every year on April 23 to honour the great works by authors around the world.

The special day has been marked by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an attempt to promote the love of reading, writing books, translations, publishing and copyright.

This year 'World Book Day 2022' is celebrated under the theme 'Read...So you never feel alone'.

IPR director Balkrisna, SATHOULUP advisor Saratchand Thiyam, members of SATHOULUP, lovers of literature and others attended the function.

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