IMPHAL, November 25: The presentation ceremony of the Thiyam Ibochoubi National Award was today held at the JN Manipur Dance Academy hall organized by the Sahitya Thoupang Lup.
Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Tripura, general secretary, RK Jitendrajit a renowned person of arts and culture has been chosen for this year’s award.
The ceremony was attended by Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai Devi, JNM Dance Academy Vice Chairman N Tombi Singh and Writers Forum, Imphal A Kumar Sharma as chief guest, guest of honour and president, respectively.
In his key note address, Sahitya Thoupang Lup advisor, Sharatchand Thiyam said the award has been instituted for the indigenous people of Manipur who have settled outside the state who still manage to preserve their language, culture and traditions.
He continued that UNESCO has already expressed concerned regarding preservation of the languages and dialects of the world.
Out 7000 languages known in the world, around 3000 have been lost to globalisation, he said.
He continued in the year 2000, the Tripura government had opened a Manipur language Directorate in the state and that by 2014, Bangladesh will introduced a selective Meitei Mayek paper in schools of the country.
He said, even Myanmar has a government sponsored cell for the promotion of Meitei Mayek and Manipuri culture in the country.
Continuing with his key note address, he said RK Jitendrajit though living in Tripura has been involved in preservation of Manipur culture and language and has been advising and encouraging the youths of the state to preserve the Manipur culture and language.
The Tripura government has taken control of the Tripura royal palace and changed it to a museum, said N Tombi Singh in his address.
Tripura culture has been influenced by Manipuri culture and both are closely linked, he said.
Social Welfare Minister, AK Mirabai assured all possible help in the institution of a Meitei Mayek Directorate.
She said she will herself participate in the efforts of the state government to preserve all indigenous languages of the state.
She continued that the old age pension which used to be Rs 200 monthly will be increased to Rs 500, the Widow and Disabled pension has been increased from Rs 200 to Rs 300, while the Family Benefit Scheme has been increased from Rs 10000 to Rs 20000 for which the centre has already sanctioned the required amount.
Meanwhile, the Minister has donated Rs 10000 to the Sahitya Thoupang Lup.