IMPHAL, May 18: Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) observed the 10th Mayek Chatpa Numit at Gandhi Memorial Hall today.
Education Minister Dr Kh Ratan attended the function as chief guest while PDA Chairman T Mangibabu attended as guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kh Ratan expressed his appreciation to the initiatives taken up by MEELAL volunteers for preservation and promotion of the indigenous languages and scripts of Manipur.
Besides, the state government has made major contributions for the growth of Manipuri language as illustrated during the movement for inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution, he said.
Dr Ratan appealed to MEELAL to publish more text books in Manipuri script which can be used at college level and for further higher studies.
Giving his key note address, MEELAL president Moirangthem Naokhomba Meitei said his organisation has been observing May 18 every year as Mayek Chatpa Numit to commemorate the day an agreement was reached with the State Government in 2005 paving the way for introduction of Meetei Mayek in Class I and II from the 2006 academic session.
He lauded the state government for extending maximum assistances from its side for development of indigenous languages.
Stating that about 3900 persons have passed Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in Meitei Mayek,
Naokhomba urged the government to recruit them in government institutions. He further appealed to the government to appoint a person with knowledge of indigenous language to the post of education commissioner.
As part of the programme, prizes were distributed to winners of state level Meetei Mayek competition which was held on May 1 last.
The prizes consisted of cash of Rs 4000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 for first, second and third respectively and certificates in each category and consolation prize for other 98 competitors.
Over 3400 students had participated in the competition in five categories.