Community with lower fertility rate won't survive long: Dr Ranjan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 02 2024: A 15-day workshop on the 'Rite de Passage' of Sanamahism, covering traditional practices around birth, marriage, and death, began on Saturday at the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongbal Uphong Yumpham in Imphal.

The event is jointly organised by the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board and the Manipur University of Culture (MUC) .

Speaking at the inaugural session as the chief guest, health and IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan emphasised the importance of maintaining a healthy fertility rate for the survival of culture of a community.

He warned that communities with significantly reduced fertility rates may not endure for long, urging people to increase the fertility rate if they truly value their culture.

Citing a study, Dr Ranjan pointed out that a community with a fertility rate below 1.8 is unlikely to survive beyond 25 years.

He emphasised that fertility rate is closely linked to the preservation of a community's culture, traditions, and identity.

Dr Ranjan highlighted the importance of studying demographics in discussions on culture and stressed the need for detailed exploration of the relationship between demography and fertility rate, particularly concerning the indigenous communities of the state.

He also assured that he would provide support from his side and even discuss with the chief minister the inclusion of Sanamahi in the country's religion code.

MUC vice-chancellor Paonam Gunindro, who also spoke at the inaugural session, remarked that Sanamahism possesses all the characteristics of major world religions: He compared the Sanamahism doctrines to the Bhagavad Gita, suggesting that Sanamahi teachings are more detailed and profound.

He expressed regret over the lack of interest in the in-depth study of Sanamahism.

The inaugural session was also attended by Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board vice-president Bidyapati Senjam and SCERT Manipur director Aheibam Romel.

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