In an urgent call to safeguard the cultural and demographic future of the Meetei community, Longjam Thonglen Meitei, President of the student-led organization Apunba Ireipakki Maheiroi Sinpanglup (AIMS), has shed light on emerging demographic trends and cultural vulnerabilities that could shape the identity and stability of the Meetei people over the next two decades.

Addressing a public seminar on population awareness and cultural preservation, Longjam Thonglen Meitei pointed out that while Manipur’s overall population is projected to grow from 3.26 million in 2024 to 3.553 million by 2036, the seemingly steady figures hide the deeper, more specific concerns for the Meetei community. With an average annual growth rate of 0.83% between 2025 and 2036, there is a risk that the relative population share of Meeteis could shrink if current patterns of fertility, migration, and cultural assimilation continue unchecked.

At the core of his concern is the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Manipur, currently at 2.2 children per woman. While this rate is above replacement level and relatively high compared to many other Indian states, Thonglen emphasized that the figure alone cannot be seen as a safeguard for Meetei stability. A drop in the TFR among Meeteis—whether due to urban lifestyle shifts, economic pressures, or migration—could result in a population imbalance within Manipur’s ethnic makeup. Such a shift could diminish the community’s influence and heighten the risks to its cultural preservation.

Migration, another factor Thonglen discussed, remains a largely undocumented yet influential force. The growing trend of Meetei youth migrating to urban centers or other states for education and employment is not only altering the demographic balance but also threatening the intergenerational transmission of language and tradition. While migration brings new opportunities and broader perspectives, it can also accelerate cultural dilution, especially when younger generations become disconnected from their roots.

What makes the Meetei case especially urgent, Thonglen argued, is the deep intertwining of cultural identity and population dynamics. The Meetei language, festivals, dress, and rituals are not just expressions of tradition—they are markers of belonging and resilience. Without sustained and organized efforts to protect these elements, the Meetei people may find themselves at risk of cultural erosion by 2047, even if their numerical presence remains relatively strong.

AIMS, under Thonglen’s leadership, is taking an active role in addressing these concerns. The organization stands on a threefold mission—Obedience, Conscience, and Self-Confidence—a motto that shapes its dedication to student empowerment, education, and cultural preservation. AIMS is spearheading awareness campaigns in schools and colleges that promote population education, aiming to equip students with knowledge about fertility trends, family planning, and the sociocultural consequences of demographic shifts.

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Beyond data and projections, Longjam Thonglen Meitei made an impassioned plea for the development of cultural preservation policies that are rooted in community participation. This includes government-backed initiatives to strengthen Meetei-medium education, support local arts and crafts, document oral histories, and revive endangered practices. AIMS is also working to rebuild the traditional bond between teachers and students—a relationship that once served as the cornerstone of moral education and cultural transmission in Meetei society.

Thonglen believes that the survival of the Meetei identity will depend on how well the community understands its own demographic trajectory. “We cannot wait until the signs become irreversible,” he stated. “Population education is not about numbers—it’s about understanding who we are, how we live, and what we must protect.”

His warning carries weight: without action, the Meetei community could face a dual threat of demographic instability and cultural endangerment. The stakes are high—not just in terms of community identity, but also in securing a place in the evolving socio-political landscape of Manipur and India at large.

AIMS, with Longjam Thonglen Meitei at the helm, is committed to ensuring that the Meetei people are not left behind. Through focused education, proactive preservation, and community engagement, they aim to build a future where Meetei culture is not only remembered but lived with pride by generations to come.