Imphal, March 31: An open seminar on 'Systematisation and Rationalisation of the Curriculum of Cultural Institutes' was held today at JN Dance Academy with leaders, experts and students belonging to different communities of Manipur.

The seminar jointly organised by DESAM and FIMACS was attended by MP Dr T Meinya, ex-president of DESAM L Romesh and Prof Lokendro Arambam as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Opening the seminar, Dr Meinya acknowledged the negative repercussions likely from the non-recognition of certificates issued by different cultural institutes of the State for several courses apart from absence of a common syllabus for these institutes.

He remarked that the cultural identities and traditions of all the Govt recognised 32 ethnic groups and others yet to be recognised must be preserved and promoted after which a common cultural identity that would encompass all the groups and identify the whole Manipuri nation would emerge by fusing all these indigenous similar cultures.

In his presidential speech, Romesh noted all the cultures, traditions, beliefs and religion of any individual are not given by birth but imbibed from his environment and education he/she received.

Observing that our culture and tradition should be learnt through right education, he noted that the present education system alien to the indigenous cultures would not be able to identify our indigenous cultures and would fail miserably to inculcate a sense of patriotism to the citizens of the State.

He maintained that these points should be given due consideration while framing a common syllabus for the cultural institutes.

In his address, Prof P Milan of Manipur University observed that there is a strong undercurrent of cultural conflict between those who love to preserve their own indigenous cultures in the face of strong currents of cultural subjugation and assimilation.

Another such conflict arise from the intermingling of the indigenous culture with alien cultures and subsequent not-so-distinctive and unclear cultural identity.

Admitting the importance of granting recognition of certificates issued by culture institutes, Milan asserted that to instill a sense of love and pride over our culture and heritage has become a matter of paramount importance in addition to skilful adaptation in tune with the dynamics of global and other major alien cultures so as to overcome and avoid cultural conflicts prevailing in our society.

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