Puya Meithaba fortnight commemoration starts

Imphal, Feb 2, 2013 : Remembering the day when the Puyas (sacred texts) of Meetei community were burnt down to ashes by the then ruler of Manipur at the behest of a non-local scholar in 1729, a three-day long ‘Black Day’ observance has commenced from today at the complex of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Porompat here.

The occasion was marked by offering of floral tributes to those who have sacrificed their lives in trying to save the Puyas from being burnt down and a two minutes silence was observed to pay homage to the departed souls.

The observance started off with the Chief Guest Dr H Nabachandra, Secretary of Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur, flying the seven-colour flag of Manipur at half-mast.
Today’s function was jointly organized by International Observation Committee on Puya Mei Thaba (ICOP), MNF, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and the All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr H Nabachandra stated that burning of sacred Puyas which were compilation by scholars and priests on the traditional beliefs of the people, their socio-political policies and guidelines on economic sustenance for the land was very unfortunate and the worst thing that could ever happen to any human society. The Puyas were burnt at the instigation of Shanti Das Gosai by the then ruler of Manipur in 1729. With that many valuable sacred texts of Manipuri society have been destroyed completely.
He further stated that it is time for the people to come together as one and promote our language and script.
He pointed out that Meetei Mayek has already been introduced at the School level. From next year on, the Meetei Mayek text books would be included in the syllabus of class X. As of now, preparations have been already made for making Meetei Mayek text books available to the students of Class XI and XII in time. Some of the books to be taught in class XI and XII have also been transcript in Meetei Mayek and are available in the market.

“It is the right time that we also prepare and arrange Meetei Mayek books to be studied at the College level”, he said, adding that TET for Meetei Mayek is also to be conducted very soon.
Dr Nabachandra observed that in order to understand ourselves, we need to understand our own script. The Meetei Mayek script is a very old script and this fact has also been testified from the existence of Sagol Kangjei in the State since time immemorial.

Namoijam Tomba, Chief convenor of ICOP, stated that the Black Day is being observed so that similar incidents like burning of the Puyas do not reoccur in the State. People who had revolted against the act of burning the Puyas were killed by the then ruler of the State.

The function was also attended by Kh Menjor, President of Private School Development Council, Thoubal; Wangkhem Rabi, founder of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Porompat; Dr Romesh, Lecturer of GP Women’s College; RK Ibungosana, Convenor of MNF and Moirangthem Naokhomba, Convenor Publicity.

Pinning of black badges were witnessed at SDJM Higher Secondary School, Kangabam Leikai; Ghani English School, Hatta; Sr Xavier English School, Khurai; Royal Academy of Science, Ningthem Pukhri Mapal; Kids Foundation, Ghari; Lee Faith School, Sangaiprou; Pitambara English School, Kwakeithel; Beethel English School, Nambol; Modern English School and many others in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur district.