Imphal, June 10 2009: The Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup (MEELAL) has today begun giving scholarship � to be given for a year � to some students who won various competitions organised by MEELAL.

Winners of old language usage competition, essay writing competition in Meetei Mayek, and Poem writing competition organised by MEELAL would be awarded a monthly scholarship for one year.

The launching ceremony of the one-year scholarship was today held at MEELAL's office here with Dr M Mahabir, Joint Director of Language Cell, Directorate of Education (S) as the Chief Guest.

The function was also graced by the president of MEELAL Ng Yumjao as the functional president while the guests of honour were MEELAL advisors Th Jibanmala, T Laxman and the president of the All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association, N Tomba.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr M Mahabir said that the Meetei Mayek has been revived with much difficulty while also saying that it needs some technical modification.

He said there will be some deformities in its usage if it is done in haste.

He further stated that there has been a policy of the government to organise workshop in the usage of the Meetei Mayek alphabets that has got state government's approval.

It is also taking up for the creation of Unicode in computer, he said while also saying that publication of dictionary in the script is also on the card.

MEELAL president Ng Yumjao said that to promote the Meetei Mayaek script, students need to practice it in writing too.

And to fulfill the need, MEELAL has been organising various competitions for students.

He said that the cash award will be increased next time with sponsorship from concerned individuals.

He urges the customer care centres of various mobile phone service providers to use Manipuri language first while talking to customers.

He also said that any advertiser through hoardings to inscribe Meetei Mayek legibly even in just only ten words.

Yumjao also said that MEELAL will begin doling charity to orphaned children soon.

He also pointed out that it will organise discussion with experts on the use of harmonium while performing traditional rituals.

He further said that the Meetei Mayek must be used on letter heads, DO letters, cash memos, etc of government departments, NGOs, institutes, private doctors, MLAs, Ministers, stores etc.

He also advocates for the use of the script on college mark-sheets, certificates at the earliest time possible.

MEELAL has also discussed the feasibility of introducing the Meetei mayek in some schools till class V, he said.

Citing the achievements of MEELAL in inscribing the script on poster, banner, sign board, etc, and the publication of book for primary students, Yumjao also urged everyone to inscribe the script on the number plates of vehicles.

Students who have been awarded scholarships were Moirangmayum Romesh in the category of old Manipuri language usage, Parinita of LFS, and Ningthoujam Kennedy of KS Blooming School, Khangabok.

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