IMPHAL, June 1 NNN: The importance of preserving tribal languages and dialects was vocally echoed today at the ‘Consultative Meeting of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM)’ under the theme, ‘Preservation of Tribal Language’ held at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Imphal today.
Dr R Sanga and Dr Gina Sangkham were the resource persons in the event.
Dr R Sanga exhorted that it is the time for the collective efforts of student bodies, politicians, tribes’ unions and civil society organisations endlessly for the protection of land and resources while Dr Gina Sangkham said, “Every tribe has to protect their language or dialect and we should encourage using mother languages/dialects in drafting records of village administration”.
Former president of ATSUM, Mr Ramthing Hungyo recalled the time when the apex tribal students’ body of Manipur had demanded a separate statehood for the tribal people of Manipur when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
Former president of All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) Mr Paulhring Langhu stressed the urgent need of all the tribal communities in Manipur for unity at this critical juncture.
MLA of Chandel Victor Nunglung harped on the importance of today’s programme and suggested that more such events are organised in future with the participations of all the tribal MLAs in Manipur.
Dr Tangkhenthang said, “Loss of language is loss of knowledge and culture.”
Meanwhile, members of ANSAM, MUTSU, ZSUM, AZSU, LNKR, ZSUKA, ADC members, All India Tribal Students Union, TKS, CDSU, ACTSOM, TKLI, ATDUM, Zomi Literature Society, TSA-GHQ, SSP, Raphei Katamnao Long, ALT (Imphal unit) and student leaders from Indira Gandhi National Tribal University participated in today’s programme.
Members of All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur at the end of the programme expressed, “We will endorse the ATSUM movement by contributing to the maximum limit of our ability.”
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/preservation-of-tribal-languages-of-manipur/
