MSF submits memorandum to Chief Minister seeking strengthening of Manipuri as medium of instruction

The Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Manipur, Yumnam Khemchand Singh, urging the State Government to take comprehensive measures to strengthen Manipuri language as an official medium of instruction and to ensure the availability of academic materials in the language.
In the memorandum submitted today, the federation called for the preparation, review and publication of “Tampa-Lairik” (educational textbooks), “Tengbang-Lairik” (reference books), competitive examination books and other study materials in Manipuri across all courses offered in the state. The MSF stated that such measures are essential to safeguard the academic interests of students and youth and to uphold the linguistic identity of Manipur.
Referring to the inclusion of Manipuri in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India through the 71st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, the federation noted that the language has constitutional recognition.
It further cited the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocate imparting education in the mother tongue or regional language, and urged the State Government to implement concrete steps in this direction.
The MSF also stressed the need for systematic development of Manipuri vocabulary and academic terminology. It urged the Government, in collaboration with the Directorate of Language Planning and Implementation and other relevant bodies, to prepare comprehensive dictionaries, encyclopaedias and subject-wise standard glossaries to support higher education in Manipuri.
Highlighting recent initiatives, the federation mentioned that a workshop for authors was organised on January 21 and 22, 2025, at Manipur University by the Manipuri Bhasha Samvardhan Samiti for the preparation of undergraduate textbooks in Manipuri. Manipur University has been designated as the nodal university for the initiative, and coordination has been proposed with other universities in the state, including Manipur University of Culture, Manipur Technical University, Dhanamanjuri University and Central Agricultural University, Imphal.
However, the MSF pointed out that several practical challenges remain, particularly in developing technical terminology, translating specialised subjects and providing adequate support to authors and subject experts engaged in textbook preparation. It urged the Government to establish a structured and well-coordinated mechanism to ensure timely production and publication of textbooks in Manipuri at the undergraduate level and beyond.
Describing Manipuri as an indigenous language central to the identity and heritage of the state, the federation stated that the manner in which it is nurtured and institutionalised in education will significantly shape the intellectual and cultural future of Manipur. It appealed to the Chief Minister to take necessary policy decisions and administrative measures to promote the effective implementation of Manipuri as a full-fledged medium of instruction in higher education.