BAMSAS organises 17th Manipuri Language Festival
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2026: Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad (BAMSAS) celebrated their annual 17th Manipuri Language Festival 2026 at the auditorium of Tetaigaon Rashid Uddin Uchh Vidyalaya located in Adampur Bazar, Kamalgoanj, Moulvibazar, Bangladesh.

As per a press release, the festival was conducted yesterday under the theme "Speak, write and love your mother tongue" featuring Manipuri language competitions (in Meetei Mayek and Bengali script) across two categories - Class VI to VIII and Class IX to X .

Around 100 students took part in the competition.

The festival was attended by Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad vice president Leichombam Prashantkumar; Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF), Manipur secretary Rakesh Naorem; executive member Nabakumar Oinam; life member Yengkhom Bhagyachandra, Chingtham Sangeeta, renowned folk singer Benita Laishram and Tetaigaon Rashid Uddin Uchh Vidyalaya senior teacher Y Ranjit as the presidium members.

As a part of the ceremony, traditional shawls and mementos were presented to five representatives of Patriotic Writers Forum, Manipur.

Delivering the keynote address, Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad general secretary Khundrakpam Shomendro shared that the Manipuri Language Festival has been organsied every year in Bangladesh with the set goal of uplifting and preserving the language.

He extended his gratitude to the Patriotic Writers Forum team from Manipur who travelled to the country to attend the festival and noted folk artist Benita Laishram for encouraging the students in the exam hall.

Addressing the gathering, Rakesh Naorem expressed happiness upon getting the opportunity to take part in the festival after a long gap of 9 years.

He last attended the festival in 2017 when Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad organised the event at Sylhet.

He expressed pride over the promotion and preservation of Manipuri language by the Meitei diaspora scattered across Assam, Tripura, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

A discussion session was also hosted as part of the Manipuri Language Festival with the participation of Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad general secretary Nambram Sanker; Hiron Foundation representative Silpi Konthoujam; Manipuri Library & Research Centre founder Ayekpam Anu and other notable scholars who presented their thoughts.

During the second session of the event, prizes were handed over to the winners of the language competition (category 2) .

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