The All Manipur Manuscripts Custodian Association (AMMCA) organized a three-day puya awareness cum exhibition kickstarted at Heingang Makha Leikai in Imphal East district. The puya exhibition was jointly organized by Chingmeipak Leikai Lup and Kontha Ahalup Social Welfare club.
The objective of organizing this puya exhibition was targeted mainly to the younger generations who will be able to read the puya (ancient manuscripts of Meitei).
President of the AMMCA, Kangjam Bidhu Khuman said that many people have raised slogans like saving the indigenous people. However, no one knows what is to be saved. Quite often, we heard the clarion call to preserve our culture, tradition, and religion. But they failed to understand the Puya which is the backbone of our civilization.
Today’s generation could not read the puya which is the encyclopedia of our civilization, culture, tradition, and religion. Such a lack of awareness of our rich traditions and culture is destroying future generations. We could not explain or defend our demands logically.
Bidhu Khuman also said that the purpose of organizing this puya exhibition is to introduce our culture and traditions to the younger generations, For this, we will encourage them to learn and understand reading the puya. Through this, we will help them to educate and make them aware of the teachings and philosophy enshrined in the puya.
During the three-day program, important puyas covering different aspects like the traditional method of healing, Leingaklon (governance), Ningthourol (King’s biographies), and Laininglol (practices of religion), etc, will be exhibited in the interest of future generations.
The inaugural function was attended by Tourism Director, Waikhom Ibohal as a Chief Guest; Pradhan of Laiphrakpam Khunou GP Laiphrakpam Phiroja as President; AMMCA president Kangjam Bidhu Khuman, Chairman of N Khelchandra Singh Charitable Trust, N Tombiraj; Kontha Ahalup Social Welfare President Wahengbam Prem as Guest of Honors respectively.