Manipur observed International Mother Language Day, 2024 on Wednesday at Manipur Press Club, which was organised by the Directorate of Language, Planning and Implementation, Manipur.
International Mother Language Day is observed every year on February 21 to raise awareness of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Language, Planning and Implementation director L Radhakanta Singh said with the global influence of only a few languages, many mother tongues are disappearing which threatens the cultural and intellectual heritage of the regions they represent.
The theme for this year's International Mother Language Day is ‘multilingual education - a necessity to transform education’, he said.
"Teaching children and students in their mother language is very effective while learning", said the director, adding that it is the reason by in language policy, national education policy was added to teach in mother language.
The language department is also taking steps to transcribe different books which are written in English or other language to Manipuri, Meitei Mayek, the director said.
Language of any state will develop only after everyone starts speaking and learning in their own language, director Radhakanta said. He also informed that as of now, the Meitei Mayek books transcription till postgraduate is completed.
The observation was attended by Sahitya Academy awardee, Thokchom Ibohanbi and GP Women College, HOD of Manipuri department, Waikhon Romesh.
The day was also observed by Sahitya Thoupang Lup at Old Manipur Legislative Assembly, Museum and Archives Auditorium.
Our Correspondent added that Khorirol Sandoklup Wangjing, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Thoubal district branch and Ningol Khut Manipur Wangjing also jointly observed “Mother Language Day” at Khoirirol office Wangjing on Wednesday.
The observance released a book and also discussed the Meitei language. Khorirol Sandoklup Wangjing president Tongbram Babulal, Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Thoubal district branch President Moirangthem Rajendra and Ningol Khut Manipur Wangjing president Khundongbam Gunamani Leima attended the event as presidium members.
Khorirol Sandoklup Wangjing secretray Laishram Shyamo spoke during the event on the aim of the observation. A book written by Nahakpam Biren “Mamal Naidraba Khudol" was also released during the event.
Tongbram Babulal spoke on “Lol amasung Khorirol", Yumnam Wanglen Thoibi on “Manipuri Khorirol da Meiteilol na louriba thoudang”, Associate Professor Sengoi Sanasam on “Manipuri Lol mutkhiba yabagi phibam oirakpa amasung masi dagi ngakthoknaba pambei sing" and Bhorot Sanasam on “Warimacha amasung dialectics" during the interaction session of the event.
