Month: February 2012

IMPHAL, Feb 21: The International Mother Language Day was observed at the Manipur Press Club today organized by the Research Forum Manipur (REFORM), the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), government of Manipur and the Manipuri department, Manipur University.

In his keynote address, secretary of REFORM, N. Indramani highlighted that UNESCO had declared February 21 as the International Mother Language Day during its 30th Conference in the year 1999 and that this was the third time REFORM is observing the said day.

He further dwelt on the significance of the struggle to oppose the imposition of Urdu as the National Language in the erstwhile East Pakistan and its relevance to the preservation of the Manipuri language.

Among the distinguished speakers, Prof N Rajmohan, Chemistry department, MU, articulated the importance of language in tracing every community’s roots and its impact on interpersonal relations. While he emphasized the role of language in the compilation, distillation and dissemination of knowledge, he rued the lack of reference materials like science dictionaries and encyclopedias in Manipuri language.

RK Tarunjit, jt editor, Marup Chaphung, based in Agartala, Tripura, offered a unique perspective to the state of Meitei language as a minority community in the state of Tripura. He expressed his apprehensions about the rapid decline in the number of native Meitei speakers who have increasingly turned to Bangla as a means of communication. However, efforts are being made to preserve and protect the Meitei language by teaching the language in three schools since 1998 which has now increased to 23 schools. He went on to state that more efforts were needed from the Meitei community in Tripura as well as from the state of Manipur.

An academic pertinent to the event, Prof. Gunendo Singh, Head of the Manipuri Department, MU, traced the influences of other languages, especially Sanskrit and Bangla, in the growth of Meitei language since early 1700s. He also appealed for continuing the efforts to protect, preserve and develop the Meitei language.

Speaking as the chief guest of the occasion, Registrar, MU, Prof N Lokendro Singh highlighted recent efforts being made for the development of Manipuri language such as the recent digitization of Meitei Puyas as well as the activities under the Special Assistance Plan from UGC to Manipur University.

He opined that the Meitei language has witnessed a positive growth in the last few decades in the form of literature, sports and the arts. He illustrated the growth of Meitei language as multi-dimensional using the introduction of Manipuri as an MIL in Delhi and Assam Universities as well as the use of Meitei language in the economic activities in the trade centers of Moreh and Namphalong as examples.

Several speakers lamented that the use of English is inevitable in the globalised world, however, the continued protection and preservation of Manipuri language is as much important. The event was also attended by several people from the literary circle as well as students among others.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/experts-mull-over-ways-to-preserve-and-protect-local-languages/

IMPHAL, Feb 21 (ANI): School students recently enjoyed films that conveyed a social message at the 3rd Children`s Film Festival being held here.

The two-day festival was jointly organised by Manipur Film Development Corporation (MFDC) and the Children`s Film Society of India.

Creative Head of Children`s Film Society of India, Monica Wahi, said that only six films would be showcased, and all those films are in English language.

“The idea is to show films to children, which are away from the Bollywood and Hollywood films, which are often violent, those are not appropriate for children and are consumorous and superficial. The idea is to show films which make them into humane citizens, make them into non-violent beings and help them also get exposed to different cultures, different ways of beings, so that they are able to understand people across borders, across divides,” said Wahi.

Wahi further said the mandate of their organisation is to make films exclusively for children, as they have made around 250 films till now, which makes the largest number of films made so far by any government organisation across the world.

On the first day of the festival, Danish animation flick `Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms`, Iranian film `Hayat`, Tamil movie `Malli` and Assamese flick `Tora` were screened.

School children appreciated the enlightening and inspiring movies.

“I feel very glad and it inspires me and it has many messages in these films,” said Mrinalini Devi, a schoolgirl.

The festival, which concludes today, will feature the English film `The Prince and the Crown` and Tamil flick `Dost Magarmach` would be screened.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/film-festival-with-social-message-for-children-concludes/

IMPHAL, Feb 21: The Naga Students’ Union, Chandel has brought out a list of officials and charged them with dereliction of duties and of being responsible for the deteriorating conditions of various departments in the district. The student body has further charged that the said officials have been caught with misuse of funds meant for the development of funds meant for the development of Chandel district.

In a press release, the students’ union has elaborated that it has brought out the list of officers only after rounds of physical enquiry and warning through explanation call.

The union has identified the Zonal Education Officer, Chandel for not attending office, while the whole district has been putting in all required efforts to bring quality education in the district.

The list has also alleged the Chief Medical Officer and accountant Medical Office, Chandel of being unable to control the doctors and staffs leading to numerous difficult situations at the district hospital. It has further alleged the executive engineer, PHED, Chandel for not attending office.

The student body has further alleged that the executivce engineer, electricity Chandel has failed to installed a 32 KV transformer, even though the NSUC had demanded it through the then DC Chandel.

Further in the release, the student body has also alleged the executive engineer, PWD and minor irrigation department Chandel of dereliction of duties.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/student-body-alleges-district-officials-of-duty-dereliction/

IMPHAL, Feb 21:  A three-day long youth festival was recently held in Imphal, youth from various tribes and communities gathered to showcase their rich culture and traditions.

The event was organized by the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan under the aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs with an aim to provide a platform to talented youth.

Some 160 artists participated at the event presenting folk songs and dances of their communities.

“Through interacting, sharing with one and another and having such program will surely help us to bring peace, harmony in the communities,” said R. Tabitha, a participant.

Crafts persons from hill districts and the valley also exhibited various items during the festival.

Youth from Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities performed on one platform to send out a clear message of unity for prosperity and development.

“Such cultural events help in national integration. We get the opportunity to perform together with different communities and showcase our rich culture, folk dances and songs,” said Nirmala Devi, a participant.

The youth in Manipur are aware of the fact that militant led violence has created instability and affected the growth and development of the state.

They want unity, peace and harmony to once again reign in Manipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/02/state-holds-youth-festival/