Tripura Meeteis urged to uphold identity
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan

Agartala, May 20 2024: Expressing grave concern over the current trend of omitting surnames, which are essential in establishing identity of the Meeteis, Tripura University vice chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain has called upon the Meeteis settling in Tripura to use surnames with their names.

The vice chancellor gave the clarion call in his ad dress as chief guest of the closing function of North East Cultural Exchange Programme cum Handloom Mela organised jointly by UCM, Puthiba Welfare & Cultural Society, Agartala and Berimura Manipuri Youth Association, Bamutia, Tripura, on Monday.

The cultural exchange programme started on May 17.Ganga Prasad pointed out that Meeteis are settling in different parts of Tripura.

Though staying outside the state of Manipur, the Tripura Meeteis should not undermine and abandon customs, culture and traditions and faith of the Meeteis regardless of their distance from place of origin.

Some Meeteis in Tripura have stopped us ing their surnames, and this trend should be avoided as one's identity must not be allowed to fade away.

We should protect and preserve it, regardless of where we live.

Our culture and traditions should be promoted, he added.

The vice chancellor also noted that UCM has been taking a major role in trying to restore peace in crisis-afflicted Manipur.

In his address, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said that the Meeteis living outside Manipur should not sell or abandon land inherited from their forefathers but protect and preserve the valuable heritage passed down to us.

We need to stabilise population and demonstrate to the world that the Meetei community cannot be marginalised, he stressed.

The performing arts group Tapasya and the Meeteis of Tripura showcased Meetei dance and Thang-Ta performances on the occasion.

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