Threat to return awards for Manipur's cause

IMPHAL, JULY 3 Two Padma Sri awardees of Manipur- Maharajkumari Binodini Devi and Ratan Thiyam-today announced that they would surrender their awards if the Centre failed to withdraw the Naga Ceasefire extension to Manipur before July 8.

Talking to newspersons, the octogenarian Padma Sri and Sahitya Academy awardee,Ms Binodini Devi, resented the Centre's 'hasty' decision. Daughter of late Manipur Maharaja Churachand Singh,Ms Binodini said she had dedicated her life for art and culture but was ready to dedicate the years left for the cause of the youth.

``The centre awarded Padma Sri to us in recognition of our work but failed to recognise our feelings,'' she added. Mr. Ratan Thiyam, internationally renowned theatre director, told reporters that life in Manipur remained standstill from June 14, when the ceasefire extension was announced. The people here had been ``gagged and suppressed'' and there was none to hear the voice of these aggrieved people, he said adding they would surrender the awards to the authorities concerned.

He also rued the fact that not a single Central leader had come to Manipur to assess the situation, while in the case of Tamil Nadu the Prime Minister had convened a Cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, renowned film-maker Aribam Shyam Sharma, winner of prestigious national and international awards, declared that he would not participate in any film festival, recognised by the Centre, if the decision to extend the ceasefire was not reviewed. He demanded protection of Manipur's territorial integrity. - UNI

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Next     : A better deal now behind bars