Addiction to smartphones among all age groups has led to a social disconnect, thereby compromising one’s character which is an essential part of culture. As a result, digitisation has become one of the main external influences leading to the downfall of the significant culture of Manipur, former UG leader RK Meghen said on Thursday.
Speaking at the 1st anniversary celebration of Apunba Khorirolgee Malemgee Lup (AKML) at JNMDA in Imphal, Megan pointed out the role of the authors of Manipur literature in reviving the culture of Manipur.
Pointing out the differences between a commoner and an author, he said an author can foresee the outcome of an eventuality, whereas a commoner only observes the present scenario.
He said though infrastructure development is progressing rapidly, the identity of Manipur culture and tradition is fading away.
As a result, the authors need to reflect the day-to-day existence of the society in their works and awaken the public, he said, adding if their works do not connect with reality, their purpose will be meaningless.
In the past, discipline, punctuality and integrity were strictly followed by the people of Manipur, he said, adding that in fact the culture and tradition of Manipur was very rich starting from the housing design adopted by the fore-fathers till the discipline followed by an individual.
Coming to the negative aspects of digitisation, he said, “It is indeed sorry to state that 80 per cent of today’s kids are addicted to smartphones while the parents encourage it as a way to keep their wards busy, thereby easing the parenting process”.
Such has disconnected the parent-child relation, thereby lacking healthy relation which is the key to good moral and discipline (culture), he said, adding that this also applies for locals and community relationships.
As an overall outcome, the discipline and character to be taught and learned from the parents and society have degraded, he said.
Meghen encouraged all the author’s forum or organisations of Manipur to make a common platform, in order to protect and uplift the Manipur culture more effectively through their works.
As an encouragement to their activities of serving the public with information, the media personnel of different houses were honoured by the AKML with citations and traditional lengyans.
The celebration also witnessed recitation of poems and presentation of patriotic songs by artists of AMMIK, besides presenting the drama “Apayao” written and directed by Salam Shantibala and produced by Palem Panthou Cultural.
President of AKML W Amuchou Meitei; writer Rajendra Okram; chairman of Cultural Worker and Activities Forum Budha Chingtham; president of AMMIK Kh Thoiba; social workers Robin Brekkei and Sovid Elangbam and advocate Kh Londonbala where among the dignitaries who attended the programme.
