IMPHAL, Dec 6 ? Hindi, the national language, which is losing its importance because of threats from lawful and outlawed outfits is being promoted with avid enthusiasm from ruling Secular Progressive Front government in the state. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is working for a comeback of the Hindi language in different tone.
Promotion of this language is in danger in Manipur, being a non-Hindi speaking state, due to imposition of blanket ban on screening of Hindi movies by proscribed Peoples? Liberation Army (PLA), armed wing of the banned Revolutionary People?s Front (RPF) since 2000. Hindi education in educational institutes has also been restricted by Apunba Lup, a collection of 32 organizations launching a series of agitations demanding withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958 from the state.
However, the ruling SPF government has braved enough against these odds for improving the status of national language in the state. State Cabinet with the Chief Minister in the chair has taken a decision for creation of 200 posts of Hindi teachers in the department of education (schools) under various centrally-sponsored schemes, including 100 posts of graduate Hindi teachers with pay scale of Rs.4000 to Rs. 7500 as well as another 100 posts of matriculate Hindi teachers on contract basis for the years 2005-2006.
Officials said that the State Government is taking an undue advantage of the central cent percent scheme for the purpose of promotion of Hindi language. After imposing a ban on screening of Hindi films, this language started withering its importance while Wahengbam Nipamacha was the Chief Minister of the state from 1997 to 2001. As a leader of the state, he tried his best for promotion of Hindi but failed to make much headway till date.