26TH MANIPURI LANGUAGE DAY OBSERVED

26^TH MANIPURI LANGUAGE DAY OBSERVED

MINISTER BISWAJIT STRESSED THE NEED FOR AWARENESS TO PROMOTE MANIPURI LANGUAGE

Imphal, 20^th August,2017 (DIPR). The 26^TH Manipuri Language Day was observed yesterday at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen Palace Compound Imphal in commemoration of the inclusion of Manipuri Language in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution on 20th August, 1992. The observation was organised by 26^th Manipuri Language Day State Level Celebration Committee, comprising of 14 organizations.

Addressing the gathering, Information and Public Relations Minister Thongam Biswajit said that the present generation of the state has to play a pivotal role to preserve and promote Manipuri Language for our future generations. He also assured to create awareness regarding preservation and promotion of Manipuri Language under Information, Education and Communication programme of the Directorate of Information and Public Relations.

The Minister also said that he will inform Chief Minister N. Biren regarding inclusion of Manipuri Script in Currency note and upgradation of our Language into classical language. If necessary cabinet will take decision regarding the matters, he added. He also asserted that a collective effort is needed for scripting of Manipuri language in currency note and upgradation of the language to a classical language. As Manipur Language is the lingua franca, so various communities residing in the State need to promote our language.

Education Minister Th. Radheshyam said that writers, lyricists, singers, performing artists should play a big role in preserving our language. At the same time, we need to conduct debate, recitation, essay writing programmes at various levels in order to promote Manipuri language. Revenue Minister Karam Shyam stressed the importance of preserving our language as we can express the maximum in our own language. He further added that the present government is trying to bring a political change in the State.

In his Presidential speech, Professor Th. Tombi recalled the movement taken up by the masses for the inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8^th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. At the same time, he stressed that we need to document the movement undertaken by the masses for the future generation. Representatives of various organization which are in the organizing Committee also attended the observation.