KIMACS event stresses on promotion of Thang-ta
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 10 2022: The 7th felicitation ceremony of Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts & Cultural Society (KIMACS) was held at JN Manipur Dance Academy, here, on Saturday during which student who scored high marks in Thang-Ta subjects and participants of the 'Khelo India Youth Games' were honoured with presentations of simple gifts.

The programme was attended by Manipur University of Culture vice chancellor Professor Paonam Gunindro as chief guest, KIMACS president Ningthoujam Ajitkumar as president and COHSEM chairman Dr Ch Sarat Singh, BOSEM chairman Akham Joykumar Singh and Directorate of AYUSH Office coordinator S Tondang as thcguests of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Prof Gunindro said that the art of Thang Ta has been an inseparable component of the Meetei culture and tradition as is evident from all sections of the Manipuri society including women well versed in the traditional martial art form.

While urging the present generation to follow the path and teachings of Mani puri ancestors, he also commended the efforts of KIMACS and other organisations towards preservation and promotion of the martial art form.

Expressing elation that most of the schools in the state now have Thang-ta as a subject, Gunindro, however, regretted that in-spite the government of Manipur framing rules and regulations some four years back regarding recruitment of Thang-ta subject teachers, no effective follow up measures had been initiated so for.

As such he urged authorities concerned to recruit qualified instructors to ensure teaching of the subject in every school at the earliest.

Speaking on the occasion, KIMACS secretary general Thangjam Suraj Meetei appealed to all the schools in the state to accord importance to Thang-Ta subject and expressed confidence that imparting Thang-Ta lesson has, the potential to not only make the future generations aware about the rich culture and traditions of Manipur but also instil discipline, promote healthy lifestyle and help keep the youngsters from psychotropic substances.

He also urged the government to finalise appointment of Thang-Ta instructors and make the art a compulsory subject so that every child, including the most disadvantaged in the remotest part of the state, can be moulded into a better person.

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