Imphal, February 02 2009: The 82nd birth anniversay of the late former Member of Parliament, Ningthou-khongjam Tombi was observed with a function held today at Uripok Ningthou-khongjam Leikai under the aegis of CINT Foundation.

Inner Manipur MP, Dr T Meinya attended the solemn function as the chief guest, MLA Elangbam Kunjeshore was the president and Prof Nongmaithem Tombi was the guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr T Meinya recalled that the late Ninthoukhongjam Tombi, popularly known as Prof Tombi was an eminent person who was elected to the Lok Sabha as MP several times and who was also Education Minister of Manipur.

He was a man who loved Manipuri language so much.

He tried his best to promote and develop the language, he said.

Dr Meinya further recalled that a clear example of how much he loved his mother-tongue is that he had translated Nat Sankirtan and Holi songs into Manipuri so that other Pala singers could sing the songs in Manipuri language.

He himself served as a Pala singer and sang in Manipuri.

Dr Meinya said, there are stories about him leaving the site of dev karma abruptly if the ritual songs were sung in Bangali language.

"We must not forget his firmed commitment to promoting and developing Manipuri language at a time when Bangali language was almost suppressing the Manipuri language," the MP said.

Today Manipuri is included in the VIII Schedule of Indian Constituition.

However, we have not been able to have the language imprinted on the currency denominations due to controversies over the script.

Experts in Manipur must put heads together and solve this controversy.

Otherwise, the constroversy will remain as an impediment in lifting the language, Dr Meinya rued.

The MP and MLA distributed gifts to Holi Pala singers of Khwai Pana on the occasion.

Comment