The push to preserve and promote native languages took center stage in Cachar this week. The 35th Manipuri Language Day was marked with a grand gathering at Bantarapur High School. Organized jointly by the Manipuri Sahitya Parishad Assam (MSPA) Bantarapur Branch and the Saint Ketharin Branch, the event brought together students, teachers, and social activists to celebrate their shared heritage and discuss the future of their mother tongue.
A Rich History in the Barak Valley
The Manipuri language holds a special place in the history of Assam, particularly in the Barak Valley. After decades of public demand and peaceful movements, Manipuri was officially included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution in August 1992. Since that historic milestone, local organizations across the region have held regular awareness drives to ensure the younger generation stays connected to their roots.
Right now, there is a strong, ongoing campaign across the country to secure "Classical Language" status for Manipuri. This local event in Bantarapur serves as a direct extension of that larger, national movement. For the local community, it is not just about a day of celebration, but a reminder of the hard work needed to keep their culture alive in a fast-changing world.
Morning Tributes and Flag Hoisting
The day began early at 8:30 AM with the hoisting of the MSPA flag by Kangabam Ashwini Kumar, the president of the Bantarapur branch. After the flag ceremony, the crowd took time to remember the local pioneers who dedicated their lives to language education.
Floral tributes were offered at the portraits of late teachers Oinam Lala, Thounaojam Paramananda, and Laishram Rajkishore. Community leaders praised these three men for their lifelong dedication to teaching and their quiet efforts in keeping the language strong in the Bantarapur area.
The Main Open Session
The main public meeting was led by Kangabam Ashwini Kumar. Dr. Haorongbam Rajmani Singha, Vice President of the MSPA Central Committee, attended as the chief guest. He officially opened the session by lighting the traditional ceremonial lamp, signaling the start of the day's discussions.
A long list of respected guests shared the stage to show their support for the cause. The guests of honor included:
- Dr. H Amrendra Singha, Jyotish Sastry
- Sinam Menjor, President of the United Rural Development Society
- Haorongbam Bimol Singha, President of Nongthangleima
- M Brojendro Singha, Headmaster of Bantarapur High School
- Naorem Chunilal and A Bidya Singha, local social activists
Y Tina Singha gave a warm welcome speech to greet the attendees. Following this, Loitongbam Darendrajit, the secretary of the MSPA Bantarapur branch, delivered the keynote address. He clearly laid out the main goals of the gathering, explaining why community support is heavily needed right now to boost language learning at the grass-roots level.
Honoring the Elders
A very special moment during the program was the public felicitation of two retired headmasters from Bantarapur High School, Mutum Bijoy Singha and Mutum Nilmohan Singha. The organizers honored both senior educators by presenting them with traditional lengyan phi (shawls). This gesture was made to show deep respect for their many years of guiding local students and building the foundation of education in the village.
Key Topics: Current Situation and Classical Status
The event featured serious discussions on the current state of the Manipuri language in today's society. M Gunabati Singha, a retired headmaster, spoke in detail about the "Manipuri Language and its Present Situation." He highlighted the challenges parents face in getting their children to speak their native tongue in a world dominated by digital media.
Following this, MSPA Executive Member Ranjit Yengkhom took the stage to talk about the ongoing efforts to get Manipuri recognized as a Classical Language in India. He explained the historical depth of the language and why achieving this status would bring more government support and funding for research and education.
"A language only survives when it is spoken at home and used in daily life. We must actively encourage our children to read and write in our mother tongue, starting from our own living rooms," noted one of the speakers during the session.
Youth and Community Leaders Step Up
The most active and hopeful part of the day came from the students of Bantarapur High School. Many young boys and girls came forward to read out essays and recite poems in Manipuri. Their confident participation proved that the language is still very much alive and loved among the youth.
Teachers and local Meira Paibi leaders, including Oja Laishram Bimol, Joymati Sharma, and Kunjarei Devi, also spoke directly to the crowd. The Meira Paibis have always acted as cultural guardians in Assam, and their message was clear: the only way to protect the language is to actively use it. They urged parents to speak Manipuri at home and buy local books for their children to read.
The highly successful program came to a close with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Laitonjam Babahan Singha, a CEC member of MSPA. He thanked everyone for their time and urged the crowd to carry the spirit of the day into their daily lives.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team
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