International Mother Language Day Need for preserving Meetei Mayek stressed

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 21 : As observed all over, the Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL) and the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) jointly organised the "International Mother Language Day" observation along with a campaign here at Sagolband Thingom Leikai community hall today.
The observation programme was attended by MEELAL president, Yanglem Biren; research scholar at Sichuan University, China, Konjengbam Chinglenkhomba; DESAM president, Leishangthem Lamyanba; Assistant Professor, Department of Manipuri, MU, Dr Naorem Sanatomba and WUM president, Waikhom Anand as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion, MEELAL general secretary Huirem Loikhomba Meetei said that "Manipuri language" is one of the most important Sino-Tibetan languages in the Himalayan States predominantly used in Manipur.
Manipuri is the official language of the State of Manipur and also holds a significant place in the States of Assam and Tripura, he noted.
It is estimated that there are nearly 1.8 million speakers of  Manipuri language and UNESCO has once flagged that it is among the languages vulnerable to extinction, he said.
The language was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution in the year 1992 along with two other languages namely Konkani and Nepali with the 71st Amendment of the Constitution. With it, one can pursue Master and PhD courses in Manipuri and the same can be used in the Parliament of India, he said.
It may be recalled that the Secretary to the Governor of Manipur, JK Sanglura had issued an order in the name of the Governor that the 27-letter Manipuri alphabet (Meetei Mayek) as recommended by a Meetei Mayek Expert Committee in 1978 can be used for reading and writing in educational institutes, he said.
The execution was, however, a tardy affair and it did not gain momentum until MEELAL along with many sections of the society gave the impetus and got the Meetei Mayek or Eyek to replace Bengali alphabet in 2006.
Although the usage of the indigenous alphabet has  reached 4th semester in MA and is a few months away from completing its course in the highest learning institute, sadly not much headway in translating and rewriting books in the local alphabet has been made, he said.
Moreover, none of the enthusiasts and experts in the Meetei Mayek who have cleared Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted in 2016 have been absorbed in educational institutes, he said while adding that it has been a major thrust MEELAL has been giving but to no avail.
It only reflects the lackadaisical attitude of the Manipuri Department and other authorities concerned, he said.
There was a furore among sections of the society over the non-inclusion of Meetei Mayek as optional language in the recently held UGC-NET examination and in the UPSC conducted examinations and nothing can be more disheartening than these, he said.
He also took the pledge to stand united towards  promoting and preserving the Manipur language which is considered as "Epa/father" and the Meetei Mayek/Eyek which is considered as the "Ema/mother".
Stressing on the importance of the Manipuri language and alphabet, he added that preserving and promoting both the language and alphabet are akin to preserving the Manipuri Identity.
The day was also observed by the Manipuri Department, Manipur University and Meetei Students' Association Kangleipak (MEESAK) at the Anthropology Department, Manipur University.
The observation programme organised at the Manipuri Department was attended by the MU Vice Chancellor, Prof N Lokendra; Manipuri Department's HOD, Prof Tampha and Dean of the School of Humanities, MU, Prof Nahakpam Aruna; former VC in-charge of MU, Prof S Sanatombi and MU Registrar, Prof W Chandbabu as presidium members.
Speaking at the occasion, Prof Rajen Toijamba said UNESCO had declared February 21 as the "International Mother Language Day '' to celebrate and preserve all existing languages across the world.
The aim of the observation is to safeguard languages used by smaller communities from being usurped by the languages of bigger communities, he said while adding that the day has once again invoked the spirit among all to preserve the Manipuri language.
One should not be ashamed or hesitant in using our own language, he said while adding that it will not take much time for a language to go extinct in this age of globalization if one starts ignoring one's own mother tongue.
At the occasion, Meetei Mayek edition of the book "Manipuri Paorou Neinaba" authored by Prof Loitongbam Birjita was also unveiled.
Besides, Meetei Mayek edition of a book prescribed by Manipur University- "Hijan Hirao", ten poems from the book "Gitanjali" and five short stories from the book "Warimacha Handokpa" were also released.
Prizes to winners of competitions held in connection with the "International Mother Language Day" were also distributed.
Meanwhile at the observation programme held at Anthropology Department, MU, MEESAK secretary, Yumkhaibam Prabinkumar underlined the importance of preserving the local language to avert extinction of Manipuri or Meetei society.
Wakhallon Manaba Apunba (WAMA), Kangleipak in a press release informed that the body observed the day with a simple function. WAMA also expressed resentment over the lack of efforts on the part of authorities concerned to list the Manipuri language among classical languages of the country even after three decades the language was included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.
WAMA also stressed on the collective responsibility of preserving and promoting the mother tongue.