Vernacular journals bind Tripura Manipuris
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 25 2012: Thanks to the publication of both weekly and monthly journals run by a particular family having roots in Manipur, people of Manipuri origin settled in Tripura are increasingly eager to learn how to read and write their mother language.

Hitting the stands for the first time in 1969, a weekly journal named 'Marup' and a monthly publication entitled 'Saratki Echel', the latter in circulation since 1971 are said to be rekindling strong interest amongst the Tripura Manipuris to remain in touch with their native dialect, consequently leading to more and more people showing eagerness to read and write the Manipuri language.

Speaking to The Sangai Express editor of the Marup weekly RK Tarunjit was frank enough to admit that inspite of insignificant number of subscribers the journal is being regularly published for over four decades.

Contrary to its regular edition of four-page Marup comes out with special issue of eight pages to commemorate religious/landmark events of Manipuris such as Cheiraoba (April 13), Khongjom Day (April 23) and Nupi Lan (December 12), said the editor adding that from 1971 onwards title of the journal is inscribed with Meitei Mayek.

From a humble beginning of 10 paisa for a copy of the weekly, the same is being sold at Rs 3, said Tarunjit, whose father RK Kamaljit was the founder editor of the said publication.

Informing that the senior RK was the first Manipuri of tripura to have been nominated to the State assembly of the erstwhile kingdom and was also an MLA, Tarunjit said Marup is dedicated to the people of Manipuri origin settled in Tripura.

recounting that in the 1991 census report Manipuri population in Tripura was put at 19,000, he opined that the total figure spread in about 100 village might be over 25,000 at present.

Out of 23 educational institutions in areas with substantial Manipuri population, Dholeshwor School in Dholeshwor, established on April 13, 1998 is said to be first primary level school where Meiteilon (Manipuri) was a curriculum, said Tarunjit who also lamented that after the school was re-christened Sanasam Kamini Kumar Singh School lack of infrastructure and budgetary provision gradually led to neglecting of the subject.

claiming that the school has no provision for fresh recruitment of Manipuri teachers even though the Tripura Manipuri Students Youth Committee had been lobbying with the Tripura Government to constitute Manipuri Development Council, Tarunjit regretted that there is no one in Tripura to convince the Government that engaging Manipuri women married and settled in Tripura as Manipuri teachers might be able to solve the problem of shortage of teachers well-versed in Manipuri language or script.

He also expressed that endeavours of the Youth Committee needs support from all concerned.

quoting historians, RK Tarunjit said Meiteis from Manipur started to settle in the erstwhile Old Agartala of Tripura following the marriage of Maharaj Bhagyachandra's daughter Pateshori to a Tripura prince in 1798 .

Tripuris refer Meiteis settled in Tripura as Mekhley, he said while informing that inspite of the Meitei people scattered to different parts of the present-day Tripura, Manipuris are mostly concentrated at Tripura West district.

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