IMPHAL, May 10: Maintaining that assent of the Governor for setting up of Manipur Cultural University had already been received in line with the bill passed by the House, Chief Minister O Ibobi asserted that the government is putting earnest efforts to set up the university at the earliest to further develop art and culture of the state.
The CM was gracing an annual presentation of gold medal, citation and cash reward for writers and artistes in connection with the 80th Foundation Day of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad at the auditorium of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy today.
Speaking as chief guest, Ibobi acknowledged that cultural organizations have been working towards bringing in development and peace in the strife-torn state and said that their valuable contribution in the society is commendable.
Lauding the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad for tirelessly working for further consolidation of the rich culture of the state since its inception, he assured that the government will try to increase the recurring grant amount sought by the parishad to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.
Efforts will also be made to complete the ongoing construction of the parishad`™s office building at Sangaipat within the current financial year, he said.
Ibobi stated that it is due to the hard work put in by those deceased who had worked persistently and present dedicated writers that the Manipuri language was included in the Eighth Schedule.
The CM also exhorted the writers to come up with intrinsic stories and poems based on women issues and influential role being played by women in building a good society.
President of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Prof Th Tombi Singh who presided over the function underlined the need for conversion of books written in Bengali script into Meitei Mayek considering the coming generation and said that there is a need for government and civil society organizations to work together in this regard.
Altogether 29 people were presented with gold medal, citation and cash reward during the function. Amongst them, 19 were presented with citation, one with gold medal while 19 were honoured with cash reward.
MLA T Mangibabu who is also the Chairman of PDA was also present at the occasion which was marked by performance of cultural programmes by troupes of Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy.