Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla on Sunday said literature reflects the level of civilization the human society attains and constitutes an eloquent index to gauge the march of human progress intellectually and materially.
Governor Dr Heptulla was speaking at the concluding function of the 83rd Annual sitting-cum-award presentation ceremony of the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad (MSP) at Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium, Place Compound in Imphal.
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The day’s function was attended by Art and Culture Minister L Jayentakumar, president of MSP Prof Kangjam Ibohal Singh, distinguished award winners, invitees among others.
Addressing the gathering, the Manipur Governor said that MSP is an organization of iconic stature, devoted to the development of Manipuri language, literature and culture. The Governor also stated that it has come a long way from its humble beginning in the year 1935 when the idea of establishing the organization was born.
Since then, it has led a chequered life working tirelessly to promote and propagate Manipuri language and literature, she added.
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Heptulla reminded the key role played by the Parishad in the movement for inclusion of Manipuri language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India and said that since then, the language has found a place in the list of Indian languages recognized by the Sahitya Akademi.
Stating that language is the vehicle through which the thought finds expression, she said that a rich language is an essentiality for a quality literature.
Throughout the world, great writers have shown how literature can become an integral part of the history, culture and life of a nation, giving it an unending vitality. Manipur’s writers are no exception to this with the growth of modern education after the British conquest of Manipur in 1891, she added.
Art and Culture Minister Jayantakumar informed that the Government is planning to set up a gathering place for the writers. The place will be set up in an area not so far away from Imphal city but a favourable environment for the writers.
Informing that the Manipur Culture Policy is to be reviewed after every 10 years as per the policy, he said that the Government has taken up steps to review it and invited the Sahitya Parishad to share its views and comments so that the Government can consider while reviewing the policy.
The guest of honour further informed that drafting of Manipur Cine Policy is almost completed and ready for placing before the Cabinet for approval.
Later, minister Jayantakumar presented 32 different awards conferred by the Manipur Sahitya Parishad in the field of literature on the occasion.
He further handed over a cheque of Rs 5 lakh to the Parishad. The amount was handed over to the Parishad as announced by the Government earlier.