Local community groups honor linguistic heritage through cultural festivities, book releases, and a collective pledge to preserve their mother tongue.
Marking a significant milestone for linguistic heritage, the Manipuri community in Lala gathered on Sunday to celebrate the 70th ‘Ima Ningshingba Numit’. Organized by the local social organization Thongju Marup at its community hall in Rajyeshwarpur Natunbazar, the day-long event commemorated the historic March 1, 1956, Assam Government gazette notification that formally introduced Manipuri language education in state schools.
The celebrations commenced at 8:30 AM with a formal flag-hoisting ceremony. In the early morning light, attendees took a collective oath to protect the dignity of their native language. This was followed by a poignant moment of silence dedicated to the pioneers of the language movement, bridging the community’s historical struggles with its present-day pride.
Throughout the gathering, leaders emphasized the vital link between linguistic preservation and community survival. Speakers echoed a unifying theme: if a language survives, the culture survives, and if the culture survives, the ethnic identity endures. Providing deeper historical context, designated speakers Naorem Odesana and Dr. Ningthem Meitei discussed the ongoing struggle and development of the Manipuri language.
The main discussion session was presided over by Thongju Marup President N. Manindra Singh. Prof. Nandakumar Vidyasagar, Head of the Manipuri Department at GC College in Silchar, attended as the Chief Guest. The event also hosted a wide array of special guests, including Singh & Son Publication President Asem Mani, District BJP President Kalyan Goswami, retired State GST Assistant Commissioner Lairenjam Chaoba, Hailakandi District MSPA Committee President Haobam Manisana Singh, Jaribond Apunba Meira Paibi Lup President Bimala Sharma, and the President of the Jaribond Sports Association.
The community hall remained vibrant all day, featuring poetry recitations, speeches, and captivating cultural performances. Organizers took the opportunity to honor several distinguished individuals with traditional stoles (uttoriyo) and felicitations in recognition of their contributions to literature and language practice.
The festivities took on a highly emotional and joyful tone in the afternoon when attendees celebrated Mother Language Day with a cake-cutting ceremony. During the subsequent open session, three new books authored by Dev Singh Suram, Soram Binita Singh, and Naorem Indira Singha were officially released to the public.
The commemorative event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Lourembam Jaykanta Singh, who firmly reiterated the community’s pledge to safeguard their mother tongue. Ultimately, the gathering transformed Rajyeshwarpur into a hub of cultural devotion, reinforcing the deep-rooted identity of the local Manipuri society.