Meiteilon correct term instead of Manipuri language

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E-Pao! Opinion - Meiteilon correct term instead of Manipuri language

Shanjoy Mairembam *

We need create NEW STATEWIDE AWARENESS about the term 'Manipur' & 'Manipuri'.

The analogies to these terms are 'India' & 'Indian'. India comprises of diverse communities having different languages & cultures.

Similarly, Manipur does comprise of various distinct communities. As the term 'Indian' refers to anyone within India having the citizenship of this country, the term 'Manipuri' should refer to anyone within Manipur having born / long residence of this state.

Due to the objection from various parts of India, Hindi is still not the only official language to use for legal or central govt purposes, though population of Hindi speaking is the highest in India.

The Union government is required by law to progressively increase the use of Hindi in its official work, which it has sought to do through "persuasion, incentive and goodwill." But, Hindi can't be branded as the only language to be used in near future under the multi-linguistic & multicultural scenario of India.

For more Info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_languages_of_India

Some of the quotes from the links –

The language of Parliamentary proceedings and laws:

“The constitution requires the authoritative text of all laws, including Parliamentary enactments and statutory instruments, to be in English, until Parliament decides otherwise. Parliament has not exercised its power to so decide, instead merely requiring that all such laws and instruments, and all bills brought before it, also be translated into Hindi, though the English text remains authoritative.”

The language of the judiciary:

“The constitution provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court of India, the country's highest court, shall be in English. Parliament has the power to alter this by law, but has not done so.”

The language of administration:

“Every person submitting a petition for the redress of a grievance to a government officer or authority has a constitutional right to submit it in any language used in India.”

The languages of the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution:

“The Eighth Schedule to the Indian Constitution contains a list of scheduled languages, originally 14 but since expanded to 22. The Government of India is now under an obligation to take measures for the development of these languages, such that "they grow rapidly in richness and become effective means of communicating modern knowledge." In addition, a candidate appearing in an examination conducted for public service at a higher level is entitled to use any of these languages as the medium in which he answers the paper.”

Similarly, language 'Manipuri' is not the correct term to be used as state official language and instead, "Meiteilon" is the proper term because, it belongs to Meities only.

As there are many other languages from various communities in Manipur and also being the population of "Meiteilon" speakers huge in number, "Meiteilon" [NOT 'MANIPURI'] should be still the state language for communication along with ENGLISH as second language [provided that other languages are still allowed to be used by other communities if they wish, as it is currently being followed].

The current issue of Meitei Mayek vis-à-vis Bengali script is because of inefficiency of the Manipur State govt to convince people of Manipur officially via public communication systems like TV, Newspapers, radio etc that 'Manipuri' language is the not correct term but 'Meiteilon' is the correct term; and Bengali script is not the proper script to used, but 'Meitei Mayek’ is the proper script to used to regain Meitei’s lost culture & dignity.

Regarding the issues of Naga language as created by some Naga associations in the hill districts of Manipur, those issues are politically motivated issues & only in the interest of few individuals but are not in the welfare of every individual from all the communities in Manipur.

The current Manipur state constitution [which is within the framework of the Constitution of India] still provides the way of practicing the languages of every community in Manipur.

So, it is unwarranted to create issues to disturb the unity & social lives of everyone within Manipur because, such situation will only create Civil war in Manipur, and moreover, Manipur is not the home of only Meities or only Nagas; but there are other communities as well.

Regarding the Educational programs [BOSEM [upto 10th std], COHSEM [11th & 12th stds], MU [upto degree & master std.], the standard are still well maintained on par with the other state educational system & the central boards too.

For many years till now, there are options still available on the current Manipur education system that other communities can opt for their mother tongue languages. If there can be improvement, and then it can be done so with discussion.

So, there is NO TRUTH of saying that 'Meitei Mayek' script & 'Meiteilon' language is forcefully being imposed on other communities other than the Meities. It’s just that Manipur State Govt are trying to made clear & to avoid ambiguity - black as black & white as white.

Moreover, Meitei Mayek associations should understand the diversity impact & globalisation while trying to protect Meitei Mayek. So, logically & socially conductive process should be implemented to realise their vision.

Here, the Manipur State Govt has to be broadcast publicly and provide trust to every community in Manipur on these topics; because few associations are trying to create misconceptions & mistrust to cause social & political crises which will ultimately lead to Communal Civil war in Manipur.

Moreover, Meitei Mayek associations should come up with a new interactive program to make people comfortable or eager to learn the script.

Thus, it is the right time to distinguish the following terms from each other clearly to get mutual trust in Manipur -

'Meiteilon' - Language & mother tongue of Meities
'Meitei Mayek' - Script to be used for 'Meiteilon' instead of 'Bengali'
'Manipuri' - Anyone who are origins of Manipur by birth/citizenship
'Manipur' - The geographical regions/map of the current Manipur state

Shanjoy Mairembam, a resident of Birmingham (UK), writes regularly to e-pao.net . You can email the writer at shan_mairembam(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)in . This article was webcasted on 25th January 2008.

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