'Bangladesh Manipuris promoting culture, language'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, April 23 2022: Meetei and Meetei Pangal are working in unity to promote Manipuri language and culture in Bangladesh, said Manipuri Muslim Samaj Kalyan Parishad general secretary Md Anwar Hossen Babu Yumkhaibam.

Interacting with a team of Thoubal District Working Journalists' Union, which visited Bangladesh earlier this month to trace Meetei and Meetei Pangal community living in the country, Md Anwar Hossen, who had also remained as president of Tetaigao Rashid Uddin High School's school management committee, informed that the two communities used to live in a backward status some two decades ago.

People of these two communities felt ashamed of using Manipuri language in public or to identify themselves as Meetei or Meetei Pangal.

The situation hurt the sentiments of the concerned citizens of the two communities.

However, today, they are able to feel proud of disclosing their true identity and carry out activities to promote Manipuri language and culture with multiple efforts by different individuals and organisations.

Now, they have been successful in making it to the Bangladesh Civil Services and have high ranking places in the administration, he said, adding that they are now able to use Manipuri language with pride in front of Bengali people.

The interaction took place during a reception programme organised by Meetei Pangal people at a guest house in Adampur Bazar under Moulvi Bazar district.

The organisers also presented a book titled.'Manipuri Muslim' written by Sazzadul Haque Swapan.

People of the two communities are joining hands in promoting Manipuri language and culture.

Members of Meetei Pangal community participate in festivals of Meetei and vice versa.

There is a strong bond between the two communities, which have their origins in Manipur, and no force can break this bond, he said.

Manipuri Muslim Community of Bangladesh convenor and Bangladesh Manipuri Muslim Education Trust former president Md Abdul Matin Sajabam said that people of the two communities have been coexisting peacefully for over 200 years, as per accounts of elders.

The situation has not changed till today.

The two communities are jointly organising competitions on Meetei Mayek as an attempt to promote Manipuri language and script.

Bangladesh government is also providing support to them, he said.

' Meetei population in Bangladesh also has the same outlook towards Meetei Pangal and the relation between the two communities.

The district has over 14 villages of Meetei and Meetei Pangal.

The guest house located at Adampur Bazar was constructed by Md Anwar Hossen on his own expense to accommodate Manipuris visiting the country.

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