Imphal: Heisnam Basantakumar Award 2022 was conferred to eminent writer Naoroibam Indramani in connection with the celebration of World Book Day 2022 in a solemn function held Saturday at the Auditorium of the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Keishampat.
The function was organized by Sahitya Thoupang Lup (SATHOULUP), Imphal, Manipur.
The award was instituted in memory of Late Heisnam Basantakumar by his son Heisnam Balkrisna, Director, IPR, Manipur and his family.
The award carries a sum of Rs. 10.000, citation and a shawl. It may be mentioned that, in his short period of life, Late Heisnam Basantakumar (1950-1990) wrote a novel entitled “Mongpham” and poetry entitled “Basanta Paojel”.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Litterateur Kangjam Radhakumar, said that the books written before the advent of Hinduism are seen as a forgotten chapter among the people of the state and we need to venture into the history of Manipuri literature. We need to bridge the gap of the Manipuri literature by exploring the written records, he further added.
He further added that the habit of reading books among the youths has decreased with the advancement in technology. The world is in our palms today because of advancements in technology and we need to be in this flow. This is the time for e-books and e-libraries and we need to upload books written by eminent writers of the state to find a global platform, he added.
Ksheterimayum Subadani, President, Leikol said that translation of the books written in our language is very important to bridge the gap caused by the language barrier. SATHOULUP needs to organize programme for writers of the state to give them exposure and a platform for their works.
A dictionary of English to Japanese to Manipuri compiled by Shri Ph. Nandakumar was released during the function. As a part of the programme, recitation of poems by various budding poets of the state was also presented.
It may be mentioned that World Book Day is celebrated every year on April 23 to honour the great works by authors around the world. The special day has been marked by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an attempt to promote the love of reading, writing books, translations, publishing and copyright.
This year ‘World Book Day 2022’ is celebrated under the theme ‘Read…So you never feel alone.’
Director, IPR, Heisnam Balkrisna; Advisor, SATHOULUP Saratchand Thiyam; members of SATHOULUP, lovers of Literature and others attended the function.
