Manipuri Language Day State Level Celebration Committee convenor Leihaothabam Saratchandra on Sunday stressed the need for inclusion of the Manipuri language in the country’s classical language category and maintained that Manipuri language could reach new heights and be developed even further if it was included in the classical category.
He was speaking at the 32nd Manipuri Language Day celebration held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound.
Saratchandra stated that numerous language scholars had been striving relentlessly to include the Manipuri language, which has been recognised under the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, in the classical language category of India.
“The recognition was given in 1992 and numerous people have been striving to include it in the classical language category but the process lacks vitality,” he said.
He highlighted that the Manipuri language is the only connective medium which enabled different communities in the state to communicate with one another.
“But the fate of the language is uncertain because of the crisis; language is an important tool to promote and safeguard a community. So, it is time to rethink if such works to build a common identity would be disrupted because of the crisis,” he said.
He maintained that it is crucial to preserve language and script for the retention of culture and tradition for posterity. But this preservation of the Manipuri language depends directly on the preservation of indigenous dialects in Manipur, he added.
He appealed to all people of the state to exert collective effort in preserving and promoting the Manipuri language.
It may be mentioned that the Manipuri Language Day marks the inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Scheduled of the Indian Constitution on August 20, 1992.
Meanwhile, president of Naharol Sahitya Premee Samiti Naoroibam Indramani stated that Manipuri Language was not a language spoken only by the Meiteis but by all communities residing in Manipur.
“The language is also spoken in various pockets of Bangladesh, Tripura, Burma and Assam. So, in some sense we can say that the Manipuri language is an international language,” he added.
President of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Imphal, Longjam Joychandra, president of The Cultural Forum Manipur Hureim Behari, lifetime president of Manipur State Sumang Leela Council Ph Gunachandra Sharma, chairman of Film Forum Manipur L Surjakanta Sharma and president of Writers’ Union Imphal Syed Ahmed among others attended the language day celebration.
