Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 01 2010:
Naoriya Phullo, considered to be the first person to envision establishing the ancient Meitei faith, devoid of all Hindu influences as the sole religion of the community was fondly remembered on his 112th birth anniversary.
The Apunba Laininghal Ningsing Thourang Lup observed the day with a function at GM Hall, Imphal and Meetei Eyek Erol Loinashillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL) at its head office opposite Kanglapark.
The day was also observed by the Apokpa Marup, Heingang Branch at the community hall at Heingang Makha Kangjeibung.
IFCD minister, N Biren, Education Minister, L Jayentakumar, Deputy Speaker, Th Lokeshwor, PDA Chairman, Dr Kh Loken and MLA Salam Joy attended as guests of honour in the function at GM hall in which Soram Ragumani, Mutum Jhoti and Huidrom Tomchou adorned special seats as "Purel Tangbal".
Education minister L Jayentakumar, speaking on the occasion, urged the organizers, Apunba Laininghal Ningsing Thourang Lup, to organise a seminar on the life and works of the pioneer of the Meitei religion.
Hindu religion has been interpreted as Hindu Philosophy, likewise "lets change Meitei Laining as Meitei Philosophy," he suggested.
"Like the citizens of America and Germany who proudly declare themselves as Americans or Germans, let us say proudly say we are Meitei," the minister exhorted the followers of Meitei faith.
Calling an end to the controversy on the Meitei Mayek script, Jayentakumar further observed that if the controversy is not settled, development of the language will be delayed.
Even though once the people were dominated by the Hindu Religion, now the time has come to realize the true religion of the people of the region and to follow it, he added.
PDA Chairman, Dr Loken said if a nationality exists, it should have its own language and script.
Now Manpuris can study in their own script and everyone should be proud of it.
Many resource persons talked on the life and works of Naoriya Phullo on the occasion.
The MEELAL organised an observance function graced by Padmashree Award winner, L Nabakishore as chief guest and presided over by the president of MEELAL, Naodalenkhomba.
The function was marked by the offering of floral tributes to the portrait of Naoriya Phullo.
Prizes to position holders of the essay competition of students on Naoriya Phullo were also given away by the dignitaries.
The 112th birth anniversary of the Laininghal Pullo was also observed by the Apokpa Marup, Heingang Branch at the community hall of Heingang Kontha Makha Khanjeibung.
The observance function was opened with the unfurling of the "Echu Firal".
President of Apokpa Lup Jiribam, Mutum Joykumar graced the function as chief guest which was presided over by former state minister, Waikhom Jagor.
Pradhan of the Heingang Gram Panchayat, Likmabam Manihar and Mutum Shanti of Apokpa Marup Heingang branch attended as guests of honour.