Award winner RK Bidur felicitated
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 24 2010: RK BIDUR, noted film critic of Manipur, was felicitated on being selected for the award of Best Critic in the 56th National Film Awards for 2008 at a simple but memorable function held this morning at the Irawat Ecological Park located at the foothill of Nongmaiching at Sanjenbam village in Imphal East district.

Renowned lyricist B Jayentakumar Sharma was the cheif guest and president of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, also critic and scholar, Prof N Tombi presided over the function which was hosted by Laishram Sotinkumar, Secretary in-Charge of CPI Manipur State Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, B Jayentakumar Sharma congratulated RK Bidur on being selected for the prestigious national Best Film Critic Award announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India yesterday.

On the occasion of felicitation of award winner RK Bidur (4th from L standing)

The renowned lyricist said that selection of RK Bidur for the Award was a result of his tireless contributions toward development of Manipuri films, though he had to face certain unpleasant restrictions from certain quarters at times.

"It is not only RK Bidur's personal achievement but also an achievement and a matter of pride for Manipur as a whole," Jayenta Kumar Sharma, the ex president of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, said.

The noted film critic, RK Bidur expressed his heartfelt gratitude on being honored so soon and in such a manner at the Irawat Ecological Park.

He was all modest.

Host of the programme, L Sotinkumar, while giving welcome speech, narrated how the Irawat Charitable Trust was contemplating developing an environmental or ecological park at the site to make it an important place for activities connected with Jananeta Irawat.

Just a few yards away from the park site on the hill, Comrades Kondum, Surchandra and Achou had laid down their lives way back in 1951 during the movement under the leadership of Irawat, Sotinkumar said adding that the Irawat Charitable Trust was planning to develop a memorial site for them there.

Prof N Tombi, who presided over the simple function, spoke in praise of RK Bidur for his being selected for the National Best Critic Award, and remarked that he deserved it.

Prof Tombi also expressed profound appreciations to Sotin Kumar for his tireless efforts to maintain a place so close to nature devoted to Jananeta Irawat.

He described the site where a park is going to be developed as the holy place of pilgrimage for Irawat's devotees.

Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao (English), Brozendra Ningomba, and Editor of Sanathong, Manindra Konsam also spoke.

Earlier, those who attended the programme paid floral tributes to the statue of Jananeta Irawat at the park, and visited the Integrity Gallery located at the park, where a number of photographs, clippings of newspapers and journals, memorabilia, etc.

connected with the people's movement for protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur since August 4, 1997 till date are on display.

It is worth mentioning here that RK Bidur of Manipur, along with Altaf Mazid of Assam were selected from among 17 entries from different states of India for the Film Critic's category in the 56th National Film Awards.

President of India Pratibha Devi Singh Patil will distribute the awards to the winners some time in March this year.