1st HL Literary Award presented to Longjam Joychandra
Govt also needs to promote Manipuri literature: Okendro
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 31 2014 : The first Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award-2013 was presented to Longjam Joychandra for his book on Manipuri literary criticism titled "Manipuri Sahitya" in a function held at the Literary Hall of Hueiyen Lanpao Office building located at Sega Road Thouda Bhavok Leikai here today.

The award ceremony was attended by Education and CAF & PD Minister Moirangthem Okendro as Chief Guest and Chairman of Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award Committee B Jayentakumar Sharma as President, while Jawaharlal Nehru fellow, New Delhi Prof Naorem Khagendra attended as Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Okendro appreciated Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications for its keen initiative to promote Manipuri literature besides active role in information dissemination.

He further said that the Government also needs to put in efforts to promote literature alongside several other literary organizations/societies of the State.

The literature should be able to point the mistakes in the society and rectify the same by imparting good moral values, especially among the youths.

1st HL Literary Award presented to Longjam Joychandra

The State Government has given numerous incentives to meritorious sportspersons of the State.

Likewise, similar policies would be adopted to encourage talented people in the field of art, culture, films, literature etc., Okendro assured.

Chairman of Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award Committee B Jayentakumar said that the progress and development of a society is often reflected in literature.

The present scenario of the society must be written in the form of literary books.

Moreover, the people of the State should take keen interests in promoting Manipuri literature.

He also emphasized on the need to develop literary criticism in order to enhance the creative literature of the State.

Prof Naorem Khagendra also lauded the Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications for instituting a literary award in the State.

Many literary books are published by several authors in the State, but the people do not deliberate much on the books.

Good literary works can be produced only when there are good critics who can analyze books and give constructive views.

The State is significantly prominent in the field of literature besides sports, art and culture, he noted.

The Hueiyen Lanpao Literary Award, 2013 presented to Longjam Joychandra carried a cash award of Rs.10000, a citation and a shawl.

The awardee Joychandra was born on October 3, 1949.He is the son of Longjam Shyamsunder of Keishamthong Longjam Leirak, Imphal West.

So far, he has written three books namely "Chingnunggi Sana Loktagi Paibiraklone (1987)", "Khouganglaba Lamlen"- a translated version of TS Eliot's The Wasteland in Manipuri, and "Manipuri Sahitya".

Another book titled "History of Modern Manipuri Literature" written by Joychandra is ready yo be published shortly.

Joychandra has been the President of Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti for three terms and an active member of Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, Lalit Kala Akademi, Cultural Centre, Kolkata and Dimapur, National Book Trust, Birla Foundation and Advisory Board (Manipuri) of Jnanpith Award.