Manipur Power Minister Th Biswajit on Monday assured that a common complex for Thang-ta will be constructed at Thongju assembly constituency, while attending the closing ceremony of a one-month workshop on Women Empowerment through Thang-ta at Khongman Zone III in Imphal East.
It was organised by the Manipur Thang-ta Cultural Association (MTCA) under the CFGS of the Ministry of Culture.
Speaking as the chief guest, Biswajit said that development in a society is measured by the status enjoyed by its women. In case of Manipur, the women are living in equal standard as men since time immemorial, and there is no such thing as gender-based discrimination.
Having a large number of women bureaucrats and social leaders is a clear example of women empowerment in the state, he added.
He stressed that all women need to have a strong conscience and confidence, stating that having a weak conscience makes a person psychologically weak.
He pointed out that everyone needs to learn self-defence, and added the traditional martial art of Manipur ‘Thang-ta’ is a good option.
Thang-ta is the one which has been defending Manipur from the invaders since time immemorial and the fore-fathers also defeated the mighty British by using Thang-ta, he added.
He highlighted the various schemes of the Central government meant for uplifting and preserving the art and culture of a society and other schemes introduced to empower women such as ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’. It shows that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned for his people and the tradition they follow, he added.
He further appealed to all the masters to not hesitate in imparting all their skills to the younger generation so that the beautiful traditions of Manipur inherited from the forefathers may be preserved. “It is the responsibility of all to preserve our arts and culture,” he maintained.
As a part of the closing ceremony, participants of workshops performed different forms of Thang-ta.
The function was also attended by Padma Shri E Indira; director of Huyen Lallong Manipur Thang-ta Cultural Association K Santhoiba and Cultural Workers and Activists Forum Budha Chingtham as guests of honour while president of MTCA N Chinjon presided the function.
Must Read: Increasing extramarital affairs and substance abuse behind rise in domestic violence against women
