BM Meisnamba conferred 1st state literature award
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 19 2009: State Governor, Gurbachan Jagat today conferred 1st Manipur State Award for Literature, 2008 on noted novelist BM Meisnamba at a solemn held at Kangla hall here.

The award consisting of one lakh rupees, a citation and a shawl was instituted by the state Education Department to honour writers of the state.

The award will be given to renowned writers of the state annually.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat handing over award to BM Meisnamba

Speaking at the award giving ceremony, Governor Gurbachan Jagat said, "The timing of instituting the Award is significant.

Great writers of Manipur have been languishing in the wilderness for decades because of lack of support from the Government.

Novelists, poets and essayists of Manipur have undoubtedly proven to be of high calibre and if patronised by the Government in right earnest, they have the potential of even earning international acclaim and accolades".

The Governor said, "The watershed of the modern Manipuri literature was heralded with the entry of three overarching geniuses- Chaoba, Kamal and Anganghal into the Manipuri literature field in the early part of the 20th century.

Their works manifested a change in the culture, sensibilities and aspirations of their times".

Education Minister, L Jayentakumar, who presided over the function, said, even though the world has developed at the maximum, the role of writers in a society cannot be neglected.

Noting that the writers could save the fate of many nations, he appealed to the writers of the state to help bring an end to the chaos and restlessness that had been witnessed in the state.

With this views, the Education Department decided to award the writers, he added.

Laishram Samarendra, who was a guest of honour, observed that it is worthy to award BM Meisnamba who has collected stories relating to the folklore and history of the state and has written in his own way of creative writing.

MB Miesnamba, born at Loklaobung in Imphal West in 1946, has written novels like Atithi Amagi Ahing, Ahingi Nupi, Kangla Dairy, Emasi Nurabi, Ningthemnubi, etc.

Apart from this, he has written many poetries and film scripts.

By giving the award to a writer, the long cherished dream of the writers has been fulfilled by the government, the awardee, MB Meisnamba, speaking on the occasion, remarked.

The Education Department is planning to confer the same award for the year 2009 at the earliest, officials said.