Book on Manipur nationalism released

Spectrum Publications of Guwahati and Delhi have just released Freedom from India - A History of Manipur Nationalism 1947-2000 A.D. by Malem Ningthouja of Delhi.

The book was released at a function in Delhi University on 30th August and a photograph of the book cover was flashed in The Hindu daily newspaper on its Book Review page of the same date.

A book release function would also be held in Manipur in Imphal in late October, simultaneously with the release of Nepram Bihari's translation of The Cheitharol Kumababa or The Royal Chronicle of Manipur.

Books would also be available at Modern Book Depot, in Guwahati and Shillong as well as important booksellers of Manipur in due course.

Full report here 

Hijam Guno passes away

Renowned novelist and short story writer of Manipur Hijam Guno has passed away around 5 pm on Sep 14 at his residence at Keishampat Thokchom Leikai in Imphal.

He was 85. Shri Guno had written the classic novels Laman (1968), Khudol (1968), Aroiba Poadam and Bir Tikendrajit Road. He won Sahitya Academy Award for the latter.

He had also written a short novel Eikhoi Tada (1966), which was translated into English and published titled My Elder Brother. He was given Dr BR Ambedkar Fellowship on the book.

He had written a book of poetry titled Tonu Laijinglembi Sheitharol.

Full report here e-pao

Sharmila conferred Tagore Peace Prize

Irom Chanu Sharmila, the ‘Iron Lady of Manipur’ has been conferred the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize by the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), New Delhi to honour her courageous and determined struggle for peace in Manipur.

IIPM’s founder director and the chairman of the award selection committee, Dr Malay Chaudhuri along with the institute’s Registrar Ratna Chaudhuri personally visited Sharmila on Saturday last here to confer upon her the prestigious award which includes a sum of Rs 51 lakh along with a gold medal and a citation.

The Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Prize which was instituted as an international award, in memory of Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of the poet’s 150th birth anniversary in 2011.

The award which was funded by a consortium of institutes and universities in Asia and Europe, is being conferred on individuals and groups who have made significant contributions in the areas of people’s economics, people-centric management, literature and peace.

Full report here Assam Tribune

Better not Arundhati

It is great news that Booker Prize winning writer Arundhati Roy will be visiting the state in November this year. However, we wish she had much rather come for some event like inaugurating a book fair or giving a inspiring lecture to our college students or writers here in Manipur. The timing and the purpose of her visit has left much to be desired and may be quite disappointing for some section of the people who admire her writings, or have at least heard of her as a well known writer. Very very few people in Manipur today are not swayed by the overwhelming tide of what we may call Manipur’s own brand of nationalism. We in fact have nothing against this nationalistic fervor if it is cordial, decent, and compassionate towards the aspirations of all the people of the state.

However, the popular nationalism as we see it here is dictatorial, threatening and overrides democratic or even human values. It is this backdrop, of a mass preoccupation with and support for a violent nationalism, in which we would like Arundhati Roy and other eminent personalities to view the now so famous ‘struggle’ by Irom Sharmila against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958. As outsiders who know very little about Manipur, people generally tend to look at the Manipuri woman’s hunger strike for the sake of the statistics involved, and not the deep rooted implications behind such a strike. Living in today’s consumerist age as long as the scales are tipping higher everyone tends to applaud, whatever the cause may be. And in Sharmila’s case too most people are just watching the scoreboard like in a game of cricket. But in doing so they are inadvertently harming the country’s interests, Manipur’s interests and also democratic values. This is because in appreciating Irom Sharmila we become party to the numberless Manipuris who have almost literally taken a vow to stand against the Indian polity. It has been accepted that the AFSPA has many loopholes, but like any other law it takes time to change or alter it, especially so when a near full scale war is on here and the country as a whole must be thinking of giving our men in the forces the best advantage in a territory which is hostile in every sense.

Full report here Kanglaonline

Tagore loved northeast and it loves him back

It is yesterday once more in the northeast cultural calendar as the region brushes the dust off its ties with Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who was recognised as a "great poet" by the then king of Tripura at a time when few others did 128 years ago.

Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Manipur have planned year-long celebrations starting Sunday in the run up to the 150th birth anniversary of the poet who penned famous dance-dramas, songs and novels during his visits to the region, especially his favourite haunts Agartala and Shillong.

"Tagore took skilled weavers from Assam to Bengal to develop and popularise weaving. He inducted Manipuri dance teachers in Santiniketan. He also sought the assistance of erstwhile Tripura kings for scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose," said researcher Pannalal Roy.

Full report here Times of India

Minaketan remembered

Floral tribute and honouring of two Sahitya Akademi Awardees marked the 104th birth anniversary of Ashangbam Minaketan held at Manipur Press Club on May 2.

The Akademi Award 2009 winners for their translation works are Raghu Leishangthem and Ch Brajeswor Sharma.

Moreover, poet Th Ibohanbi presented a thorough rendition on a book entitled 'Ema Si Nurabi' written by BS Meisnamba, which also won a Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007 .

Presenting the key note address, poet Y Ibomcha Singh expressed elation to be a participant in the observance of the Minaketan's birth anniversary and desired that birth or death anniversaries of all the literary figures be held on a common date.

Full report here e-pao

Kamini's book released

Maisnam Kamini Kumar Singh's book, Manipur Jagoi Maharas Ki Neina Kanglon was released in a function held at JN Manipur Dance Academy on April 26.

The author is a retired Assistant Teacher of Ras of the Academy and State Kala Akademi Award winner.

Speaking in the function as chief guest, Dr N Thoibi of the Academy, expressed hope that the book would help in enhancing knowledge in the field of dance and punglon (rhythmic beat) of Ras to teachers and students.

Given the fact that Ras has various technical components, such books are must to be analysed, she added.

Full report here e-pao

Governor stresses writers peace initiative

Veteran 62 years old popular poet Thangjam Ibobipishak Singh of Wangkhei Thangjam Leikai was awarded this year with the Manipur State Award for Literature sponsored by the state Education (S) department.

The formal award distribution function was organized this afternoon at historical Kanga hall with the Governor, Gurbachan Jagat, as chief guest. Also present at the function was education minister L Jayantakumar and other officials of state education department and imminent writers of the state.

State Governor, Gurbachan Jagat in his speech disclosed that Manipur literature has been closely linked to the Manipuri civilization. It is the repository of her birth, triumphs, defeats, peace, conflicts, transformation and introspections, he said.

Full report here Kangla online

"World Book Day" observed in Manipur

State Central Library, Imphal on April 23 observed the World Book and Copyright Day 2010 with a symposium importance of book as a source of primary knowledge in the globe at its premise at Keishampat.

Noted writer Dr Moirangthem Priyobarta speaking on at the symposium said instead of giving benefits, loss dominated in the publication of books in the state.

Sub-standard books should be thrown out and only the standard books should be preserved for reading, he opined. On the other hand Dr Ch Ibohal expressed concern over the reading habit of the people of state and said, there are no readers for novel and drama books published.

Full report here e-pao

PREPAK imposes ban on book

The proscribed Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak has imposed blanket ban on Keisham Birchand`s newly released book `Manipur Kangleipak kouremde, Kangla konna leirakkhi`.

The outfit also imposed ban sale of a book written by Bengali writer Subalchandra Mitra Saral Bangla Abhidhan - an Encyclopaedia of the Bengali literature` to which the Manipuri writer took reference in preparing his book.

Announcing this during a press conference held somewhere in Imphal East district today, Lt Ningtamba, commander Imphal West district told media that Birchand`s book is a piece of Indianisation process that has been taking place in Manipur.

While asserting that Manipur has its own distinct identity and culture, the PREPAK leader said the outfit would never allow sale or distribution of books in Manipur which could enhance Indianisation.

Full report here Kanglaonline

Th Ibopishak bags literary award

The second Manipur State Award for Literature 2009 has been conferred on noted author Thangjam Ibopishak.

The award distribution function held at Kangla hall on April 16 under the aegis of the Education Department (Schools) was graced by Governor Gurbachan Jagat, Education Minister L Jayantakumar and noted scholar RK Jhaljit as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

The literary award instituted by the State Govt since 2008 was conferred on BM Maisnamba for the first time last year for his novel Ningthemnubi.

Full report here e-pao

Seminar on library promotion concluded

The two Day National seminar on Promotion of Public Library Service through Legislation in North East India organised the Manipur Library Association (MALA) in association with Union ministry of culture, RRRLF, Kolkata and state department of art and culture concluded today at Nupilal complex, Imphal.

In the valedictory function of the seminar held today director of art and culture Dr Ksh Sorojini has assured that she will give more attention to the long pending Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988 for each implementation.

The seminar drafted a six point recommendations as outcome of the deliberations and discussions made during the technical sessions which included demand for constitution of a sub-committee with LIS experts and early implementation of the libraries act in state.

Full report here e-pao

BSF opens library cum study centre

A library cum study centre constructed by the 140 battalion Border Security Force (BSF) at Heirok Higher Secondary School was inaugurated on .March 26.

Inspector General, PJ Sebastian graced the inaugural function as chief guest which was presided over by the principal of the school Moirangthem Rajmohan. DIG (CI ops) AK Sharma of SHQ of BSF and commandant of the 140 bn TPS Shidhu and up-pradhan T Ranjana attended as guests of honour of the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Inspector General, PJ Sebastian said the library cum study centre was constructed under civic action programme of the security establishment aiming at bringing closure tight with the general populace.

Full report here E-pao

Reading habit in Manipur declining

One significant reason of the non implementation of Manipur Public Libraries Act in the state of Manipur is the degrading reading habit of the people, stated Dr. R.K Nimai Singh, commissioner of arts and culture while attending the inaugural function of the two-day ‘National Seminar on Promotion of Public Library Service’ through legislation in North East (NE) held Saturday, March 27 at Nupee Lal Memorial Complex, Imphal.

Addressing the function, Dr. R.K Nimai Singh stated that reading habit of the people of Manipur has fallen drastically as compared to 1970’s,80’s and added that people of the present generation do not respect books.

Meanwhile, Narendra Lakkar, professor of Guwahati University Public Libraries stated pointed that the public libraries lag in the NE region which are supposed to play an important role in the development process of the region. He also added that public libraries play a vital role in the development process of a country.

Full report here Kangla Online

Nagaland poetry competition celebrates region's writers

The 5th Nagaland Poetry competition 2010 in celebration of 175 years of Assam Rifles and 25 years of the Poetry Society India, organized by coordinator North East Region (NER) Poetry Society India (PSI) and Assam Rifles took place on Monday at 16th Assam Rifles with state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Nyeiwang Konyak, Minister of School Education and SCERT gracing the events as chief guest and the guest of honour respectively.

The theme of competition is “Friends of the Hill People” and a total of 2,346 entries were received, out of which 1127 were male entries and 1219 female entries. The ten top winners of the poetry competition recited their poems. Addressing the gathering, Rio lauded the Assam Rifles for completing glorious 175 years of existence and for creating many memorable milestones and also building trust with the north east people. Congratulating the Assam Rifles for the service to the people, he said that the AR not only provided security to the people, but were also involved in carrying out many welfare programme for the people. On the AR slogan “Friends of Hill people”, the chief minister said that the tribal people, especially the Nagas were straight forward and stated “If you are his friend, he will give his life for you and if you are his enemy, he will take your life”. The chief minister also said that the Assam Rifles should live with their slogan Friends of the Hill people in the years to come and wished them a bright future in service of the nation and for the people of Northeast.

On the poetry competition, he said that literature and music played an important role in promoting peace in the world and encouraged the budding poets and award winners to use their God given talents to the fullest. He further congratulated all the award winners and released the book The Voices of North East Poets. The chief minister also felicitated six poets of the region - awards winners Mamang Dai from Arunachal Pradesh, professor Streamlet Dkhar from Meghalaya, Head of Khasi department NEHU Shillong, professor L. Khiangte from Mizoram, head of Mizo department from Mizoram University, Bijay Bantawa from Sikkim, Editor of Snowline Magazine, Kalyan Gupta from Tripura, director of art and culture, Tripura and Raghu Leishangtiem from Manipur, Seike Academy.

Full report here Nagaland Post 

Manipur writer to be IIAS fellow

The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), has offered the prestigious National Fellow to professor Gangmumei Kamei for a period of two years.

Prof. Gangmumei Kamei is a well known historian and writer. He is a retired professor of History, Manipur University.

During the course of his stay at IIAS, Shimla, Kamei will be working on any topic of his choice, which is likely to be on History of Modern History and History of the Nagas.

Full report here Kanglaonline 

Meet to promote women writers held

The main objective of promoting and encouraging women writers, Asmita, a poetry recitation session only for women writers was organised jointly by the Sahitya Akademi and the Cultural Forum, Manipur at State Guest House here in Imphal on Feb 10.

Sahitya Akademi awardee Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi Devi, S Bhanumati Devi, Yengkhom Indira Devi, Khwairakpam Anandini Devi, H Benubala Devi, Haobam Nalini Devi, Koijam Shantibala Devi, Lairellakpam Ibemhal Devi, Salam Shantibala Devi, Satyabati Ningombam and Aribam Rimita Devi were among the women writers who participated in the literary session also moderated by Memchoubi.

The session commenced with the welcome address delivered by convenor of Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi Manipur Language N Khagendra Singh while president of the Cultural Forum, Manipur N Nabachandra Singh delivered the presidential address.

Full report here E-Pao