CM enquires condition of ailing Dr Ratan
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 08 2025: Chief minister N Biren Singh met Dr Ratan Thiyam at the latter's residence at Shamushang in Imphal West district on Wednesday to enquire about the health of the theatre personality who is presently down with age-related issues after turning 80 .

In a post shared on social media, N Biren said he met Padmashree awardee Dr Ratan Thiyam, and prayed for speedy recovery of the theatre personality.

On the other hand, CM Biren said that steps will be taken up to preserve and protect rich art and culture of Manipur, along with declaring that the first step will be towards development of Manipur state central library commensurate with the time.

CM enquires condition of ailing Dr Ratan

Accompanied by Lamsang MLA S Rajen and Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam during the visit, CM Biren later told media persons that Manipur state central library would be developed with modern amenities so that students could procure advanced knowledge and inculcate the habit of reading books.

Notably, the Ministry of Culture had in December, 2023 sanctioned funds for development of one state central library and one district library recommended by authority of every state/ UT of the country under National Mission on Library (NML) scheme.

Programmes under the scheme include infrastructure development, technology upgrade, modernisation of service, facility for specially-able groups and conduct of necessary library related programmes.

Under the scheme, a total of Rs 218.87 lakh for state central library, Imphal has been sanctioned out of which Rs 45.25 lakh has been released so far.

For the district level, Rs 85.54 lakh has been sanctioned for Senapati district library with Rs 1 lakh released so far.

Meanwhile, MPCC spokesperson Devbrata Khumanthem, commenting on CM Biren's social media post, said that Dr Ratan Thiyam is a rare asset for Manipur and that a medical officer should be appointed to look after the theatre personality's health.

Dr Ratan Thiyam is being considered as 5th Tagore of present day India and he is a living legend, Devbrata said and suggested that the government do something for such a personality.