28th Manipuri Language Day: Call for promotion of native language rung across the State

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 20 : Works Minister Thongam Biswajit has called upon the people to encourage the indigenous languages and at the same time assured all possible help in promoting the Manipuri language.
He was speaking at the 28th Manipuri Language Day observation held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Gate, this afternoon.
The observation in commemoration of the inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992, was held under the theme “Manipuri Lon Chaokhat Hanbada Lamdam Sigi Yelhou Lonsingsu Chaokhat Hanba Tangaiphade”.
Regarding the effort for inclusion of the Manipuri language in the Classical languages of India, the Minister said that when the matter can be put up before the cabinet when the time comes,
He also proposed a temporary or Ad-hoc committee if not a Language Commission to spearhead the effort for inclusion of Manipuri in Classical Languages of India.
Stating that the Government will never deny any assistance if the issue is genuine, he said that it should be the collective responsibility of all including the Government to promote Manipuri language.
Biswajit also urged all to encourage the folk tales and adopt the habit of story telling while maintaining that these tales teach the children moral values and culture of the society.
Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar said that the effort to include Manipuri language in the classical languages requires tremendous efforts including research, compilation and field work along with a committee to spearhead all these.
If we want the Manipuri language to be included in the classical languages of India, then the effort should be collective, he added.
He also said that as highlighted in the observation’s theme, instead of saying just Meitei language, if we can say Manipuri then it will have a wider connotation and accommodate all the languages of the State.
CAF& PD Minister Karam Shyam attended the function as the guest of honour. The observation was organised by the State Level Celebration Committee 28 th Manipuri Language Day – 2019.
AMSU also celebrated the day at the library hall of its headquarters with Prof Nahakpam Aruna, Dept of Manipuri, MU as the chief  guest, AMSU president Peter Laishram as the president and AMSU advisor Advocate Irengbam Jamesbond Mangang as the guest of honour.
Speaking on the event, AMSU president Peter Laishram recalled the collective effort of the student community in the movement for inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
He pointed out that the State Government is lagging behind lot in promoting the very language of the State and added that the level of encouraging and acknowledging people who are engaged in uplifting Manipuri Sahitya is still low.
Maintaining that AMSU has been taking up several measures to promote the native language of the State, he continued that the student organisation will continue to strive for it in the future.
In a separate occasion, DM College of Arts Imphal, DM University in collaboration with YK College Wangjing organised a one day seminar on 'Manipuri language in the global context' at DM College of Arts today.
Manipur Sahitya Parishad president Professor IS Kangjam, Principal of YK College Wangjing Dr Soibam Giri and Principal of DM College of Arts Dr Chungkham Sheelaramani attended the seminar as the chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Giving his keynote address, Assistant Professor, Dept of Manipuri, DMC Arts, Dr Mayanglambam Sadananda said that  although learning an additional language can be interesting and beneficial, one's native language can be overpowered if the new language is considered more important.
Giving more importance to other languages rather than the indigenous language can affect one's culture, tradition, identity and the society.
Over 53 languages between 2001 and 2016 have been recorded as lost from the world, he maintained.
Sadananda further informed that Manipuri language is included among 191 endangered languages listed by UNESCO while adding that UNESCO has categorised the endangered languages into four categories.
Among the said categories, 42 Indian languages are included under critically endangered category, he said and added that Central Institute of Indian languages (CIIL) Mysore is taking up necessary measures to safeguard these languages under the Protection & Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (a central scheme).
Among these 42 Indian languages includes seven tribal dialect from Manipur, which is unfortunate, he remarked.
Sadananda conveyed that the probable reasons for such threat on native languages/dialects are westernisation, modernisation, advanced education system and influences of globalization etc.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, Manipur Sahitya Parishad Professor IS Kangjam stressed on the importance of deliberating on the steps to be taken up after recognition of Manipuri language under the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
He maintained that the seminar will be fruitful if the documents presented by resource persons to the gathering can be compiled in a book for the public to read.
Kangjam noted that one's native language will live on in the future only when the present generation uplifts and respects  it.
On the other hand, the 28th Manipuri Language Day observation cum award presentation ceremony was organised by Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF) at Manipur Press Club today.
Social activist Dr S Manaoton, PAWF president Yaiskul Khwairakpam and social Scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram attended the function as dignitaries.
Kesho Singh Irengba, Laishram Shyamo and Leishembi were conferred the "Dr Saroj Nalini Arambam Parratt Literary Award", "R Kathing Tangkhul Literary Award" and "Pacha Meetei Literary Award" respectively.
Meanwhile, Manipur Language Development Society (MALADES) Imphal and District Institute of Education & Training (DIET) Koirengei also organised Manipuri Language Day at DIET Koirengei.