Imphal, May 07: Volunteers of Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillon Apunba Lup (MEELAL) would be launching a mass campaign with effect from first week of June to teach the indigenous script approved and introduced by the State Government in the school syllabus to all the people, young and old alike, living in both the hill and valley areas of the State.

Announcing this during a press conference this afternoon, MEELAL president Ngasepam Yumjao said introduction and popularisation of the indigenous script instead of depending on Bengali scripts has slowly help in regaining the lost identity of the people of Manipur.

However, lack of adequate knowledge on the part of teachers who are teaching this script in the schools seem to act as a deterrent in the process of reviving the script.

This is really unfortunate for the Manipuri society as a whole and the Government should be held responsible for this sorry state of affairs, Yumjao stated.

Yumjao disclosed that at the time of inspecting the schools to monitor whether the Meetei Mayek was taught properly by the Government appointed teachers, it has been found out that the script is not being taught to the students in over 100 schools in Heingang, Khundrakpam, Kshetrigao, Hiyanglam, Lamshang, Wangoi, Naoriya, Konthoujam, Keirao and Kakching area.

This shows that the relevant authorities of the Government have been neglecting their duties.

So with the main objective of making all the people living in Manipur, young and old alike literate and conversant in Meetei Mayek, MEELAL volunteers have decided to launch the campaign starting from first week of June all over Manipur, Yumjao informed.

He appealed to all the local clubs, organisations and Meira Paibis to extend their support in successful implementation of the campaign.

While recalling that the Govt of Manipur approved teaching of Meetei Mayek on May 18, 2005, Yumjao informed that commencing from this year, MEELAL would start observing May 18 every year as Mayek Chatnaba Numit.

On the occasion of the first commemorative function, MEELAL would be presenting the Ist Chingsubam Akaba Ningshing Mana which has been instituted in memory of Chingsubam Akaba who was an exponent of Meetei Mayek.

Besides, a Phambal of Lainingthou Sanamahi would be installed at Manipur University to mark the occasion, Yumjao disclosed.

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