Home of Yangmasho, Rishang and others : First Church in Manipur
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: October 01 2015 -
Time flies by. An observation which is becoming more and more relevant.
This is not a commentary on religion or religious beliefs but just taking cognizance of the fact that it is now 115 years since the first Church was established in Manipur.
Not surprising that it is Ukhrul district headquarters which is home to the first Church in the State-Phungyo Baptist Church.
There may be different takes on this, but it is significant to note that the place where the first Church was set up is one of the more prominent districts in the State.
It may have nothing to do with religion, but it is nonetheless worth noting that Ukhrul district has produced a number of outstanding figures down the years.
Apart from giving two Chief Ministers to the State, in the persons of the late Yangmasho Shaiza and Rishang Keishing, Ukhrul district has managed to produce some of the more well known personalities, not only in the State but also in the region.
Not many may agree with his philosophy and agenda, but it stands that Thuingaleng Muivah of Somdal village in Ukhrul district is today one of the more well known personalities.
It is also significant that Ukhrul is the birth place of the late Suisa, regarded by many as the first political leader of the Tangkhuls of Manipur.
Apart from these well known personalities, Ukhrul has also produced a number of officers and well known personalities and this is something worth emulating.
This is not to say that the emergence of the well known personalities is in any manner connected with the fact that the first Church in Manipur was set up in Ukhrul district, but underlying the point that Christianity may have had something to do with the emergence of Ukhrul district as a key player in almost all walks of life in Manipur.
A reflection that religion may be said to be closely linked with the existence and progress of a group of people ?
However there still remains the question of whether this district which has produced heavy weights like Yangmasho Shaiza, Rishang Keishing, Suisa and others still has it to maintain that position.
Why has Ukhrul seen a gradual decline in the overall character of its people ?
Remember in as much as this district has produced some of the more distinguished personalities of the State, it has also witnessed some of the ugliest incidents in the not so distant past.
Blame it on the games that politicians play or has this got something to do with the misplaced sense of priorities of the people ?
Difficult to say, but there is not much to suggest that this place will produce more outstanding personalities in the future.
This is a sad reflection of the reality and there is no one to blame but the people themselves.
Remember the ultimate responsibility of a society or a group of people must rest with the people themselves.
Not saying that this district is on the decline, but it seems to have come to a standstill and this is saying a lot.
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