Manipur CM urges Meitis to give up Meitei-centric mentality

Imphal (Manipur) [India], May 14 (ANI): Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday said Meiti's, the people who are the majority ethnic group of Manipur, should give up the Meitei-centric mentality to bring peace, harmony and feeling of togetherness among the different ethnic communities of the state. "Meiteis should play the role of a big bother and should give up the Meitei centric mentality to bring peace, harmony and feeling of togetherness among the different ethnic communities of the State", Biren Singh said. This was stated by him at the 82nd Annual Meet cum Award distribution ceremony of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad organized jointly by Imphal's Manipuri Sahitya Parishad and Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur at Maharaja Chandrakirti Auditorium. Along with Biren Singh, the function was graced by Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Art and Culture, L. Jayantakumar Singh and President of Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Professor N. Tombi Singh as the Chief Guest, Guest of Honour and President respectively of the function. Stating that the new government is fully committed to deliver good governance in the state, the Chief Minister said that they should share each other knowledge so that we could build up the feeling of oneness among ourselves. He further said that the government aims to ensure transparency and accountability and is always open its door for the people to discuss their grievances and problems. He assured that the people of the state would see some visible change in terms of development of the state soon. Singh stressed that it wouldn't have been possible without the help and support from the people of the state in resolving the four month long economic blockade issue and the two and half years old agitation against the "Anti Tribal Bills" recently. He said that media should play a positive and constructive role in the society. He further appealed to the media houses not to publish only the violence related news or anti-government news that can shape a bad image of the state to outside world. On the occasion, the Chief Minister assured that the government would provide a recurring grant of Rs. five lakh every year to the Manipur Sahitya Parishad. Altogether 26 awards which included Sahitya Bhusan, Sangeet Bhusan, Natya Bhusan, Kala Bhusan and cash awards were distributed to eminent persons for their contribution in the field of literature and art and culture of Manipur. Late Yumnam Yaima, Sagolsem Tijendra Singh, Lourembam Bedabati, Gangmei Aluna Kabui, Rani Khidir Devi were among the recipients. (ANI)