IMPHAL, May 17: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has today averred that the rich cultural heritage of Manipur which have become the pride of the state in the global arena, was earned through the selfless sacrifices made by our masters and gurus.
The Chief Minister stated this while delivering his chief guest speech during the 58th foundation day celebration of the Cultural Forum Manipur celebration held at the Chandrakriti Auditorium, Art and Culture Complex, Imphal today.
According to him, Manipur, though small in size, has a unique history, rich culture, art forms, language, script etc and these rich legacies passed down by our ancestors have been nourished by our gurus and masters.
Today their (gurus) relentless and selfless sacrifices to preserve and protect the legacies have paid off, as the rich culture has become a symbol of Manipur globally, said Ibobi.
“Let us take the privileged of honouring and remembering our masters and gurus who have done enough for the people and those who are still striving further”, the Chief Minister said.
He held that the Cultural Forum Manipur, which is a common platform for art enthusiasts, is a guiding star to keep the course of Manipuri society on the right track.
Though this platform the art enthusiasts are also spreading the message of communal harmony besides showcasing the essence of Manipuri art form, he asserted.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, also assured to provide a permanent place for the forum to construct their office building before adding the land would soon be identified, within zero mile, after consultation with the revenue department.
In his speech, K Radhakumar Singh, commissioner, Art and Culture, stated that culture is our life and without culture society cannot exist.
Exhorting the need to preserve and protect the real characteristic of culture, he said that it is the duty of everyone to take part in this initiative.
N Khagendra Singh, president of the Cultural Forum, said that it is high time the people demand Manipuri language to be granted the status of classical language as all the criteria needed for the demand have been fulfilled.
Marking the day Chief Minister Okram Ibobi also released three books including the first journal of Manipur “Ritu”, besides handing out life time achievements awards to 16 renowned artists and top personalities.