IMPHAL, June 1 NNN: The importance of preserving tribal languages and dialects was vocally echoed today at the \u2018Consultative Meeting of All Tribal Students Union, Manipur (ATSUM)\u2019 under the theme, \u2018Preservation of Tribal Language\u2019 held at Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Imphal today.
\nDr R Sanga and Dr Gina Sangkham were the resource persons in the event.
\nDr R Sanga exhorted that it is the time for the collective efforts of student bodies, politicians, tribes\u2019 unions and civil society organisations endlessly for the protection of land and resources while Dr Gina Sangkham said, \u201cEvery tribe has to protect their language or dialect and we should encourage using mother languages\/dialects in drafting records of village administration\u201d.
\nFormer president of ATSUM, Mr Ramthing Hungyo recalled the time when the apex tribal students\u2019 body of Manipur had demanded a separate statehood for the tribal people of Manipur when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.
\nFormer president of All Naga Students\u2019 Association, Manipur (ANSAM) Mr Paulhring Langhu stressed the urgent need of all the tribal communities in Manipur for unity at this critical juncture.
\nMLA of Chandel Victor Nunglung harped on the importance of today\u2019s programme and suggested that more such events are organised in future with the participations of all the tribal MLAs in Manipur.
\nDr Tangkhenthang said, \u201cLoss of language is loss of knowledge and culture.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, members of ANSAM, MUTSU, ZSUM, AZSU, LNKR, ZSUKA, ADC members, All India Tribal Students Union, TKS, CDSU, ACTSOM, TKLI, ATDUM, Zomi Literature Society, TSA-GHQ, SSP, Raphei Katamnao Long, ALT (Imphal unit) and student leaders from Indira Gandhi National Tribal University participated in today\u2019s programme.
\nMembers of All Tribal Disabled Union, Manipur at the end of the programme expressed, \u201cWe will endorse the ATSUM movement by contributing to the maximum limit of our ability.\u201d<\/p>\n
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