A thought on Manipur University of Culture (MUC)

Marjing Mayanglambam *

After its formation, among one of the most pioneering and engaging universities of Manipur, the Manipur University of Culture, is in a very confusing and chaotic state.

Why ? I have no negative opinion on this matter, however being a Manipuri, here are some of my humble written words of inquiry to the respected Government of Manipur, admirable administrators of MUC, honourable teaching and non-teaching staff and all, who are related to MUC directly or indirectly.

Who is looking after MUC’s students’ and staffs’ security? Well, being situated on someone else’s higher education school campus, this question is very vague. However, it's 2023, so who cares who drives a car, bike, or Range Rover inside this congested and dusty educational hub ?

Not all students do this however, one or two students are more than enough to stain the image of MUC because of their reckless driving. I was also a college student of Dhanamanjuri University, and such a student’s driving behaviour is not uncommon.

Negation or lack of attention towards student’s activities and behaviour is also an act of incompetence by the teachers and the administration. Discipline and respect towards a teacher by a student are highly required in MUC, which is a “cultural university”.

“Sans culture, sans society, sans discipline and sans respect” is what I would say from a very optimistic point of view. Dressing code is something of the past in occidental regions, however, in our lovely State Manipur, irrespective of gender, elders have always taught us to be decent and wear attire that should show respect towards their Guru/Oja/Lecturer/Professor.

Although, being a State university under UGC of the Government of India, I believe that MUC’s university students should follow the norms and rules & regulations (RR) per MUC’s set of own RRs. Various departments of MUC have brought laurels at the State and National levels, and this is what I, being a Manipuri, am also proud of.

MUC has a lot of promising students and amidst the chaotic and unsettling socio-political uprisings, they have not turned back an inch from their optimistic goals for themselves and their MUC and are doing their best for the State of Manipur as well.

Suggestions from someone like me who has no authority to speak or raise a question against MUC may be seen as useless recommendations but kindly see it or take it as a brief future perspective outlook for the betterment of MUC.

Proper hygiene of lavatories, canteens, classes and even the temporary loaned campus’s ground is what I would strongly suggest since a student’s health matters more than what they are learning because, in the end, a degree certificate or a gold medal is totally a waste if that student’s health has deteriorated.

I imagine, hope, dream and at the same time, pray that in a few years, MUC will have its magnificent proper campus with top-class infrastructure under good-hearted administrators and reputed yet prideless highly qualified (not necessarily degree-oriented) teaching & non-teaching staff.

Best wishes to the Manipur University of Culture.