Imphal, December 22 2008: OPPOSITION LEADER and former Chief Minister of Manipur, MLA Radha-binod Koijam has said that it is important that one must know the history of his people and nation, and that it is the past that will guide us to future.

Radhabinod Koijam said this at a simple but solemn function of releasing a compendium entitled "New Insights Into The Glorious Heritage Of Manipur" held at Manipur Hindi Parishad on Assembly Road here this afternoon.

The compendium in three volumes was released by Manipur Assembly Speaker Dr S Budhichan-dra as the chief guest.

Radhabinod Koijam presided over the function.

The compendium is edited by H Dwijasekhar Sharma and published by Akansha Publishing House , New Delhi.

Seventeen eminent scholars and pundits have written chapters on different aspects relating to Manipur.

The compendium (set of three volumes) is priced at Rs 4,500 .

Speaking on the occasion, RB Koijam further said that while identifying a nation, the identity of its people, culture and territory become very important.

In identifying Manipur, the cultural heritage, history, origin of the Manipuri people etc.

are very important.

It is important for us to know the past � the history of Manipur.

He said, if the society becomes static, the society will perish.

At such juncture, what would guide us? The past�the history would guide us.

The ethnicity and the charges being levelled by smaller ethnic groups against the majority�the Meeteis of being hegemonic etc need to be discussed and addressed.

All these will help keeping integrity of Manipur intact, he said.

He expressed concern that most of the menfolk in Manipur do not take part in any public meetings, discussions or issues.

Most of the time, it is only the women who participate in such issues, he said and hoped that the compendium will be useful to the people of Manipur to understand the culture, traditions, heritage and history of Manipur.

Manipur Assembly Speaker Dr S Budhichandra, who was the chief guest at the book release function, said that most of the people of the state don't know our history and culture.

The "New Insights Into The Glorious Heritage Of Manipur" will give a new light to the people of Manipur.

He hoped that the contributors/writers of the book would take a major role in bringing new changes to Manipur.

Registrar of Manipur University Prof N Lokendra gave key-note address and spoke about the compendium.

He said the compendium is full of ideas and resources.

It will be very useful to the researchers and will help people from other parts of the country and the world to know Manipur.

He also said that certain confusions that remained in our minds all this time were cleared by the writings in the compendium.

Editor of the compendium H Dwijasekhar Sharma narrated how he thought of bringing out a compendium of this kind.

It took him nearly 10 years in bringing out the compendium.

He thanked all the eminent scholars and academicians for contributing their writings to the compendium.

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