Efforts on to upgrade MUC to Central varsity: Sanajaoba

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 6: Rajya Sabha Member Leishemba Sanajaoba has stated that maximum efforts are being invested to upgrade Manipur University of Culture (MUC) to the level of a Central university.
He was speaking at the opening function of CWAF Fest 2022 at Kanglei Mime Theatre Repertory, Langthabal Kunja today.
Leishemba Sanajaoba said that he has been lobbying hard to upgrade MUC to the level of a Central university.
He said that he would take up the matter with the Prime Minister, if necessary.
Even though Manipur is quite fertile for the growth of culture, the socio-economic status of the State’s cultural workers, performers and artists is rather disappointing, he remarked.
The people of Manipur are known for their talents/potential in the fields of art and culture and games and sports. Moreover, Manipur has many mountains, lakes, rivers and other natural landscapes which can evolve into tourist hotspots, the MP said.
If the successive Governments invest more money and energy in these fields/areas, the State can certainly achieve a new trajectory of development, he asserted.
He noted that the amount reflected in the State budget for art and culture is too small. People are working    in the field of culture only because they are genetically inclined towards cultural activities, he added.
The MP assured that he would definitely take up the issue of the plight of cultural exponents/workers with the Chief Minister.
The cultural heritage of Manipur is alive today only because of the cultural activists, performers and artists, Sanajaoba said.
The theme of CWAF Fest 2022 is ‘Re-construction of Cultural Memory’ and it is being organised by the Cultural Workers and Activists Forum (CWAF), Manipur for the second time.
MLA Dr Yumnam Radheshyam appealed to the CWAF to take the role of a vanguard to protect and preserve the culture of Manipur from external influences.
He said that culture defines the way of life of a Nation/community.
CWAF president Budha Chingtham said that the first CWAF Fest was held in 2021 after CWAF was set up in 2018.
He claimed that the cultural heritage and cultural civilisation of Manipur are one of the richest and oldest in the world.  
However, in spite of all their sacrifices, the majority of the cultural activists have been left as unsung heroes, he said.
“It is a matter of grave concern that our moral and cultural values have been degraded due to external influences,” Budha Chingtham said.  
“It is rather disappointing that many of us see our own culture as primitive”, he decried.
He then underscored the growing need for every one  to be wary of the growing conflict and cultural disorder.
He also expressed keen desire for effective implementation of the Manipur State Cultural Policy.
The opening day of the festival featured Khongjom Parva, Thang-Ta, Manipuri Classical dance, Dhol-Dholok Cholom and Dancing Drums of Rhythms of Manipur.