IMPHAL, March 10: The All Manipur Transporters Association Manipur secretary Haridas today launched the fifth edition calendar of Samballei Sekpil School Kumbi during a simple function held at the Manipur Press Club today.
The calendar launch was also attended by founder of the school Moirangthem Oken and advisor Santosh.
Giving a brief note of the school, Oken who is also a Guinness World Record holder of the state said the school was established in 2009 and is located where his record holding Saballei Sekpil was planted first in the year 1979.
22 years later in 2002, Samballei Sekpil scripted the Guinness World record.
He continued saying that the school was established with the aim of searching a shining star in the shortest period of time.
Students also showcased several cultural program as part of the function.
NNN adds: Okendra said that he had spent more than 35 years of his life to establish the Samban-Lei Sekpil (Local name) but, he now feels that he should stop looking after it as the government has not supported his venture to nurture its growth and development. He said that he would instead, establish a school for children.
Even though the Samban-Lei Sekpil was enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002 for measuring an amazing height of 61 feet, the government’s unsupportive attitude has left the topiary reduced by 20 feet. Unless the government supports his work, he would not generate the plant again, Okendra added.
He said that after 7 years after the Samban-Lei was enlisted in the Guinness Book of World Record, the government had assisted him with his work by providing a sum of Rs 5 lakhs and again in 2011-2012, he was given Rs 1.4 lakhs.
Okendra further said that the UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi had written a letter to the government of Manipur to nurture and save the Samban-Lei, but, the state government has not paid any attention to develop it which clearly shows their negligence.