India CSR News Network
IMPHAL (MANIPUR): With the objective of touching the lives of grass root level Creative Talent Leaders of the Society, the JSPL Foundation, the CSR Arm of the major steel maker Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL) today felicitated 25 senior artists from various parts of Manipur with Swayamsiddh Samman for their lifelong contribution to various ethnic art & performing art of the State. Her Excellency Governor of Manipur Dr. Najma Heptulla honoured the artists and delivered the presentations which included a Citation, a Shawl and the Cash Award of Rs.5000/- at Imphal. Chairperson of Oswal Group Smt. Aruna Oswal and President of JSPL Foundation Smt. Shallu Jindal were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor Dr. Heptulla, profusely admired the unique initiative of JSPL Foundation to recognise and honour the traditional artists &exponents of ethnic art in the nooks and corners of the Country and now reaching Manipur to hand hold the grass root level creative talents. “I thank the awardees for dedicating their life in preservation and promotion of art and culture of Manipur,” She said. Congratulating the Smt. Shallu Jindal, the Governor said, “I complement JSPL Foundation for identifying the grassroot talents from far-long places of Manipur and honouring them”.
President, JSPL Foundation, Smt. Shallu Jindal in her welcome address said, “As per the Vedic texts, Manipur is the Gandharvadesh, the DNA of Manipuris is Art & Culture. Manipuri Dance, Manipuri Theatres now have penetrated into the Global Fora of Performing Art”.
Appreciating the lifelong contribution of the senior artists, Smt. Shallu Jindal said, “This Award is a step by JSPL Foundation to acknowledge and reward the unsung heroes, the grassroot leaders for their contribution to traditional art and culture”. From the coming month, “ JSPL Foundation will be providing social security support of Rs. 5000/- per month to each of these awardees initially for next two years” she announced.
In her address, Smt. Aruna Oswal deeply appreciated the household tradition in Manipur for passionately upkeeping the tradition of Manipuri art & culture. Expressing her profound gratitude to the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Smt. Najma Heptullaji for her presence and participation in this unique gathering of Senior Artists of Manipur, Smt. Oswal Said, “Manipur has always attracted the Patrons of art & culture to this Soil, so also to Dr. Najma Heptulla ji”.
Mr. Sinam Basu Singh presented the vote of thanks. On the Occasion, Director of Progressive Artiste Laboratory was felicitated by the organisers.
The 25 senior artists were selected in consultation with local cultural exponents on the basis of their seniority and contribution to traditional Manipuri art and culture, dance & folk arts and other performing art of Manipur including Thang-Ta, Manorsai song, Shumang Leela, Manipuri dance, Pena (traditional string instrument), Rusem and Sirangda, traditional Maring Songs.
Swayamsiddh Samman has been instituted by the JSPL Foundation to recognise and reward grassroots action leaders & Social Innovators for their contribution to the field of art, music, sculpture, dance, drama and other ethnic performing arts both at National and State level. The Award Launched in 2015 has so far been given to more than 160 action leaders at the State and National level.
