During a recent meeting at the Secretariat, a 23-member delegation from the Manipuri Youth Cultural Organisation (MYCO) in Bangladesh engaged with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh to discuss crucial strategies for preserving the cultural heritage, language, and traditions of the estimated 20,000 to 50,000 Manipuris residing in Bangladesh. Representing a diaspora with a deep-rooted history spanning over two centuries—stemming from three major migration waves during the late 18th century, the Seven Years Devastation between 1819 and 1826, and the aftermath of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891—the delegation highlighted ongoing community issues and formally invited the chief minister to visit them. While historical settlements in regions like Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Brahmanbaria have largely faded due to assimilation, the diaspora remains vibrantly concentrated in the Sylhet division, particularly across Maulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj, where they are widely recognized for their agricultural practices, unique cultural identity, and traditional Manipuri Rasa dance. Responding warmly to the delegation, Chief Minister Singh assured the diaspora of his government’s steadfast support toward safeguarding their cultural ties and announced plans for an official visit to Bangladesh to personally meet and interact with his Manipuri brethren. This upcoming visit aims to strengthen cross-border community bonds, provide official institutional backing for heritage conservation efforts, and ensure that the centuries-old cultural legacy of the diaspora continues to thrive despite geographical separation.
Manipur CM Connects with Bangladeshi Diaspora to Safeguard Language and Traditions
