IMPHAL, November 8: Literature is vital for the growth and development of a society and cannot be neglected, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today.
He was speaking at the “First Languages Day-cum-Workshop on Literary Progress of Tribal Languages” as the chief guest today at the Tribal Research Institute, Imphal.
He said language is the best identity of civilization.
Literature is vital to unity among the people of Manipur, the deputy Chief Minister observed adding that the unity of indigenous languages will help in developing the Manipuri language.
He said people need to strengthen the Manipuri language which acts as the link between the different communities residing together in the land.
The Manipuri language is a fine language with a rich literature, he said.
At the same time, developing the tribal languages will mean development of the Manipuri language, he said.
Giakhangam further said that the organisation of such workshop will help in the preservation and development of our languages.
He said although the State government lacks resource and facing financial constraints at the time, we are still trying to help develop the various languages spoken of the State.
Language and dialect is a part of literature heritage of Manipur and development of language will definitely strengthen the Manipuri language.
He said that the Language Planning & Implementation Directorate has been established under the Education department to nourish the languages of Manipur.
Literature is very important and having a separate Language Directorate is a good beginning for improving the languages, he continued before adding that the government is determined to develop all languages of Manipur.
This workshop will be a turning point to bring about development of Tribal Languages, he asserted.
As part of the workshop a brief interaction on issues of tribal languages in Manipur and the process of approval of tribal languages for introduction in education system was also held. Various Tribal Literature Societies has reported Information on Literary Progress of their languages respectively.
Today’s function was also attended by Language Planning and Implementation, Manipur director Kh Raghumani Singh and joint director Dr L Mahabir Singh.
The workshop was organized by Council of Tribal Languages & Literature Societies, Manipur and sponsored by the Tribal Research Institute, Imphal.
Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/11/literature-vital-for-growth-of-society-gaikhangam/