Imphal, January 08: The current Centre for Manipur Studies under Manipur University will be upgraded to the status of an institute to facilitate study of different dialects and languages of Manipur and to bring emotional integrity among the peoples of the State.

This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, Prof N Bijoy while addressing the inaugural function of the three day seminar on 'Pre Pakhangba Period' organised by Meetei National Front, Kangleipak.

He noted that there would be no financial difficulty in the upgradation as Manipur University itself has been upgraded to the the status of a Central University.

While observing that today's seminar would contribute enormously in the search for the genuine history of the land and people, the VC disclosed that the seminar papers would be published in book form by Manipur University.

The inaugural function was also attended by the president of MNF, Ch Akaba, former Minister RV Mingthing and retired Director of Education (U), T S Gangte as functional president and guest of honour respectively.

In his speech, RV Mingthing called upon the youth to go back to the history of the land and restore communal harmony as was existed since time immemorial and to douse the internal conflict arising in our society today.

He observed that the people of the State need serious introspection as to why we have become a sick nation even though we had a proud history with its language and a script while our neighbouring States with no distinctive history and language are marching ahead. �It is our sole responsibility and no one else's to build and protect our State,� added Mingthing.

In the morning session of the seminar papers on 'Kings of Kangleipak before Nongda Lairen Pakhangba' by B Kullachandra, 'Comparative study of the politics of sovereign Kingdoms of South East Asia and Kangleipak in the pre Pakhangba period' by Dr K Susila and 'Relationship of Kangleipak with Nations of South East Asia during the earlier and pre-Pakhangba period' by Hareswar Goswami were presented.

In the evening session, papers on 'Ascent of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba to the throne as the first king in the history of Kangleipak' by Naoroibam Indramani, 'Social structures in Kangleipak in the pre-Pakhangba period and its ancient names known to other States' by Dr N Birachandra were presented.

In both the morning and evening session, Dr Yumnam Mohendra took part as moderator.

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