MEELAL observes Mayek Chatpa Numit
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 18 2016: Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) observed the 10th Mayek Chatpa Numit at GM hall today.

Education Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, PDA Chairman T Mangibabu and MEELAL president Moirangthem Naokhamba attended the function as presidium members.

The day was observed to commemorate inking of an understanding between the State Government and MEELAL on May 18, 2005 to introduce Meetei Mayek in Class I and II from the 2006-07 academic session.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Ratankumar said that language and script show the correct stature of a society to the world.

People of Manipur are still facing the impact of the Puyas being burnt during king Pamheiba's period, he said.

However, the script left behind by the brave forefathers are now identifying the Meitei community to the world, he said.

Saying that students are now studying Manipuri language in Meetei Mayek up to Class X, the Minister said that it is an encouraging development witnessed by the people of Manipur in the past one decade.

Dr Ratankumar promised to look into the matter of recruiting Meetei Mayek teachers through TET.

Moirangthem Naokhamba said that after burning of Puyas in the 17th century, Meetei script was replaced by Bengali script.

Since then, Manipuri people have been using Bengali script as if they do not have their own script.

However, after MEELAL came into being on August 18, 2003, the body launched a large movement to introduce Meetei script in the schools.

As a result, MEELAL and the State Government inked an understanding to introduce the script in Class I and II from 2006, Naokhamba said.

Now, Manipuri language would be learned in Meetei script up to Class XII from this academic session, he added.

Prizes for the Meetei Mayek competition organised by MEELAL on May 1 were also distributed at today's function.

Around 3400 students took part in the competition.

Cash prizes and certificates were given away to 98 students including the top three prize winners.

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