Acquaintance in multiple languages will bring unity: CM
Priority in job recruitment to those versed with local languages: Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, December 02 2022: Chief minister N Biren Singh stated that there is no loss in learning different languages, and our identity will not be compromised in learning language of another community.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a "two-month local language training programme on seven languages", which is being organised by the Department of Language Planning & Implementation at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound, here, on Friday, CM Biren maintained that the idea behind conducting the local language training programme is to maintain unity among different communities and go together as one, giving a true meaning of state.

If people of different communities inhabiting the state start to think only for their respective communities, the meaning of state will be lost, he added.

Stating that there is no harm in learning and getting acquainted with different languages, he reminded that there is no point in worrying that one's identity would get diluted by learning a different language.

Rather, learning a different language will help in understanding the community's culture,' custom and traditions for the better, Biren asserted.

He then stated that installation of huts of the 35 different communities for the recently held Manipur Sangai Festival succeeded in projecting Manipur as image of a mini-India, as stated by PM Narendra Modi.

Mentioning that the language training programme is a long-term plan of the government, the CM continued that we could go deeply in something when learned or expressed in our mother tongue.

As an example, he stressed the need for filing of First Information Report (FIR) by police in the local language of the complainants, adding that the latter can express more precisely in their own languages.

Further stressing on the importance of learning different dialects, he informed that priority would be given to those candidates who know multiple local languages, in recruitment of jobs by the state government.

Expressing satisfaction that many students applied for the training programme, Biren even pointed out the need to extend the language training programme for elders to create a healthy relationship among different communities.

He also expressed the need to include the state's history in the syllabus of school students to make our younger generations aware of our History and civilisation.

Concluding his speech, Biren raised concern over the worsening situation in our society, with the absorption of western culture without proper education, knowledge and infrastructure.

He also urged all parents and guardians to restrict the usage of mobile phones by their wards only to education-related and gaining knowledge, as it has become one of the factors for degradation of our society.

Delivering his presidential speech, Education minister Th Basanta Kumar Singh appreciated the Chief Minister's far-sighted vision in coming up with the initiative of the local language training programme.

He observed that the initiative would remain as a significant step in the history of Manipur as it would help in bringing different communities of the state closer to one another.

Stating that the Education Department has taken up many initiatives to improve the education system, the minister revealed that the Department has even sought funds from external funding agencies to improve infrastructure of the educational institutions and to address the shortage of staff.

He further informed that the Education Department would come up with new uniforms (t-shirts and check shirts) for government schools from the next academic session.

The also mentioned that a Command & Control Centre had been constructed at Bapupara for real time monitoring of schools and added that the central government has also sanctioned Rs 3 crore for implementation of the same.

Basanta Kumar then expressed hope that the present government would bring a revolution in the education system of the state, keeping the merit system in the forefront.

It may be mentioned here that the 21 month long training programme on seven local languages including Meeteilon, Tangkhul, Poumai, Rongmei, Anal, Paite and Thadou will be held at Johnstone Higher Secondary School on pilot basis.

In all, 40 participants will be given training for each language.

Commissioner (Education) H Gyan Prakash, Department of Language Planning & Implementation director L Nandakumar Singh, resource persons, officials of Department of Education (S) and Department of Language Planning & Implementation, and participants of training programme also attended the inaugural function.

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