Imphal, 18th October, 2018 (DIPR) : Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla today inaugurated the Manipur Legislative Assembly Musuem and Archives at Old Manipur Legislative Assembly Building, Imphal.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Minister (Art & Culture) Shri L. Jayantakumar Singh, Chairman, Hill Areas Committee Shri T.T. Haokip, Leader of Opposition Shri O. Ibobi Singh, Deputy Speaker Shri K. Robindro Singh and Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly Shri Y. Khemchand Singh as Guests of Honour and President respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor said that the inauguration of Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives is the first of its kind in the history of Manipur Legislative Assembly. This is definitely a significant step taken up by the Speaker and his team. While expressing her sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Speaker as well as those people who made efforts to open this Museum and Archive in the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Governor thank all those who extended support to this worthy cause.
The primary objective of Museum and Archives is to preserve history and maintain it for its contemporary relevance and for the future. The Museum and Archives of Manipur Legislative Assembly will be a wealth of the glorious political history of Manipur. Its main purpose is to collect, preserve, research, exhibit and interpret historical documents and material for public knowledge and education. It will be a collection of archival materials, rare artifacts, photographs of historical significance and other invaluable items and a perpetual source of precious information and a referral treasure for the eclectics.
She had full confidence that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives will be of great value and interest to the people of the State and will go a long way in fulfilling their aspirations. I feel proud to know that the Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives has already got an enviable range of invaluable books and will get only richer as it grows older.
Museums and archives not only serve as the fountainhead of information and knowledge but also keep us connected to the past. We become wiser and our knowledge becomes richer from what we learn in such an institution. We are better equipped to face the future and the wisdom we gain teaches us to negotiate our way for a more fulfilling life. Amongst the cultural institutions, museums enjoy a particularly impressive reputation for trust and integrity built upon their status as collecting institutions, as publicly accountable bodies and as objective commentators.
Museums are said to be about the past, about preserving, researching and recording, as well as presenting and interpreting our history and traditions so that we have a better understanding of our present. In a very meaningful way, therefore, museums are also about the present and the future and not just the past. By establishing this Institution, the Legislative Assembly is rendering a great service to posterity as the young generations will also be greatly benefited from it. It is often said that we are like a rudderless ship on the seas without past knowledge and information to guide us. I am sure the students and followers of Manipur political history will not be disappointed with the rich stock available in the Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives as the political history of Manipur pre and after attaining statehood in 1972 are equally exciting.
She also felt the need for having longer Assembly session, so that all the members should be able to contribute more and discussion could be held at length.
Leader of Opposition, Shri O. Ibobi Singh lauded the able leadership of Speaker with limited resources this Museum and Archives could happen to inaugurate today. It could be a research institution for Political history of Manipur.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Shri Y. Khemchand Singh in his presidential speech stated that this Museum & Archives would be a story telling institution about the democratic heritage of Manipur. He also said that he had acknowledge the advice of the Governor for longer session and the same will be discuss at Business Advisory Committee meeting in future. He also said that any positive suggestion for the development of Musuem and Archives would be always welcome from the public. So far, eight galleries have been established like, Speaker’s chamber, CM’s gallery, Governor’s gallery, Art gallery portraying the political journey of the State, Gallery of the Chairman, Hill Area Committee, Deputy Speaker’s gallery, Secretary’s gallery, former Committee room, former Sound & Monitoring Unit.
As part of the function, Governor who is also the Chief Guest released a Souvenir and other dignitaries released Guide Book of Manipur Legislative Assembly Museum and Archives.
Later, a cash prize of Rs 50,000 was given to Mr. Yumnam Saphawangam, the winner of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Museum & Archives Logo competition.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Ex-Speakers, Family members, Ex-Ministers, Ex-MLAs and sitting MLAs among others. (DIPR)