Meitei Mayek likely soon on currency notes: Sanajaoba

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 11: The Indian currency notes may soon bear Meitei Mayek on it, said Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba as he called on indigenous communities to unite amid the ongoing conflict.
He said this speaking on the 18th death anniversary of Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba at Wakha Leima Ching today.
The observance was organised jointly by Wakhallon Mannaba Apunba (WAMA), Meetei National Front (MNF), Luchingpurel Chingsubam Akaba Ningshing Lup and R Suisa Trust.
MP Leishemba Sanajaoba led people in paying floral tribute at the "Twin statues of Love, Peace and Fraternity".
The MP inaugurated "Integrity Hall" and a ground constructed with the MP Local Area Development Fund.
Addressing the gathering, MP Leishemba Sanajaoba remembered Chingsubam Akaba and R Suisa and their contributions towards the Manipur society.
Leishemba said Akaba and R Suisa understood that unity among the indigenous people in the valley and the hills was crucial for safeguarding Manipur.
The statues of Chingsubam Akaba and R Suisa were installed at Wakha Leima hill recognising their contributions, he said.
Leishemba recalled that Akaba urged him as the king to work towards bringing the indigenous communities in the valley and the hills together.
The ongoing conflict has caused suffering to the people. It calls for the indigenous communities to unite. If the Centre doesn't take the responsibility and fails to do what it must, the indigenous people must face the foes threatening Manipur's integrity, Leishemba said.
On Meitei Mayek, Leishemba said new Indian currency notes may bear the script, and efforts are being taken up to recognise it as a medium for UPSC examinations.
For recognising Meitei Mayek as a medium for UPSC examination, the MP said he has taken all the necessary steps and exerted pressure on Central leaderships.
Leishemba, however, expressed dissatisfaction that the Manipuri language was left out when the Centre recognised five new Classical languages including Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit recently.
"The exclusion of Manipuri language was very unfortunate. All efforts will be taken up to give Manipuri language the Classical language status," Leishemba said.
Highlighting the importance of reviving indigenous faith, he further called on the people to mention "Sanamahism" as their religion in the coming census.
"People shouldn't feel uneasy in mentioning Sanamahi as their religion in the coming census. People should clearly state their religion as Sanamahi. The census officers should also diligently ask the Meiteis their religion and enter the same," Leishemba said.
Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long president Tennyson Kashung, Nongdam Tangkhul village head Mathanpui Zimik, community leaders and representatives of several civil organisations spoke at the observance and acknowledged the contributions of Ch Akaba and R Suisa.
HERICOUN president Yumkhaibam Surjitkumar Khuman, WAMA president Moirangthem Naokhamba Meetei, Tangkhul Shanao Long president Thingreiphi Lungharwoshi, MEELAL president Khaidem Ingocha Meetei, DESAM founder president Laishram Romesh Meetei and Paonam Jugindro of Manipur University of Culture attended the observance.