Manipuri diaspora feted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05 2016 :
An interaction cum reception programme of Manipuri diaspora of Myanmar who came here to attend the 289th commemorative event of Puya Meithaba was held today at Manipur University.
The gathering held in the conference hall of Anthropology Department was jointly organised by Dean of Students Welfare, MU, MUSU and Centre for Myanmar Studies, MU.
Centre for Myanmar Studies Director Prof W Nabakumar, Dean of Students Welfare Prof N Mohilal, MUSU president Chingsubam Manglemton and Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance president RK Shivchandra attended the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Speaking at the gathering, Prof W Nabakumar said that the programme was specifically organised to discuss about the life of Meitei diaspora in the backdrop of the changing polity across the world.
Centre for Myanmar Studies examines Indian diaspora of Myanmar.
But it has not been long ago when the centre started studying Manipuri diaspora specifically.
The function may pave the first step about what the people of Manipur may do for the welfare of Manipuri diaspora of Myanmar, Prof Nabakumar said.
RK Shivchandra gave an account of the experiences during his regular visits to Myanmar during the past 20 years.
He underscored the importance of learning Myanmarese, Thai and Chinese languages in order to reap maximum benefits from the Government of India's Look East Policy (now Act East Policy) .
The total number of Meiteis living in Myanmar would exceed the combined population of Meiteis living in Cachar and Bangladesh.
But nowadays, nobody would be able to count them.
Takhellambam Bing Bing, Naothem Yaima, Naothem Kamaleshwar, Takhellambam Sasi and Takhellambam Kamala (Langlen) were accorded a warm reception at the function.
All of them are from Mandalay.
The function culminated with an interaction session.