'No efforts spared to promote Manipuri language'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2024: The 33rd Manipuri Language Day was observed today at MSFDS auditorium, Palace Compound where the Manipur State Award for Literature was presented to eminent writers Dr Nahakpam Aruna, Maibam Nabakishore Singh and Irungbam Deven.

Dr Nahakpam Aruna got the Manipur State Award for Literature for 2023, Maibam Nabakishore for 2022 and Irungbam Deven for 2021 .

The State level function organised by the Manipuri Language Day State Level Celebration Committee, Department of Art and Culture and Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation was graced by YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Education Minister Th Basantakumar, Rajya Sabha Member Leishemba Sanajaoba and HAC Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Govindas Konthoujam said that the State Government has been working pro-actively to promote Manipuri language.

'No efforts spared to promote Manipuri language'

Considering the small population of Manipur, the State is doing quite well in the fields of art & culture and sports as compared to many other States of India, he said.

If only the people of Manipur can do away with the culture of dualism or factionalism, and all the people can work collectively, no force will be able to stop Manipuri people from making rapid advancement in different fields, Govindas said.

Th Basantakumar said that the Government has been working to introduce the Manipur State Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature, Manipur State Award for Translation and the Manipur State Young Writer's Award from next year.

After strengthening the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation, the work of transcribing different books in Meitei Mayek is going on in full swing.

The Government is also working to re-constitute a lexicon committee, he said.

Of the languages spoken by 34 communities of Manipur recognised by the State Government, 18 have been classified as major languages while the other 16 have been classified as minor languages, he said.

The Education Minister also expressed keen desire to celebrate the Manipuri Language Day as Manipuri and Other Indigenous Languages Day from next year and make it more inclusive.

Observation of Manipuri Language Day as Manipuri and Other Indigenous Languages Day would help in fulfilling NEP's vision of teaching students in their mother tongue apart from promoting indigenous languages, he said.

Leishemba Sanajaoba asserted that the Manpuri language is most likely to be recognised as one of the classical languages of India.

After forming a State level committee under the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation, a proposal is being drafted for recognition of Manipuri language as a classical language and the proposal would be submitted to the Ministry concerned soon, Sanajaoba said.

The work of drafting the proposal was delayed due to the Covid pandemic and the need to re-examine it, he said.

On being questioned in the Rajya Sabha about inclusion of Meitei Mayek in the current notes, the Union Finance Minister and the RBI replied that they had considered the matter.

"But the matter is being delayed till date.

As such, the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary and myself have written to the RBI and the Ministry of Finance", Sanajaoba said.

The Rajya Sabha Member said that he has been working hard to allow students/candidates give UPSC's civil services main examination in Meitei Mayek.

He also sought cooperation and support of all scholars and experts towards development of Manipuri language.