Patriots' Day and its importance to us
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 15 2011 -

Loving children rapt in prayer in their school, Kasom Khullen High School, during the observance of Patriots' Day

Patriots' Day is observed every year on August 13.

It is a solemn occasion when we remember and pay tribute to those martyrs who laid down their lives by taking on the British imperial power.

Young children could ask why did we have to go on war against the British, particularly so when they were the supreme power in the world at that time, and that it was them who brought modernity to Manipur.

Most elder citizens know the answer to that, and in order to avoid offending their intelligence, let it be explained straight away that the attempt to answer this question is meant primarily for our youngsters.

The Manipuris, in the valley and the hills have evolved a unique civilization over the centuries. Outside influences no doubt have left their mark of influence on our values.

But on the whole our civilization has evolved on values created and adopted by us. In other words, over the centuries we ourselves have determined how are we to be presented to the rest of the world. Just an insight into our ingenuity and drive to aspire for civilized values, we have a written history.

In order to have written records, archives, documents and deeds we needed a script, paper, a writing instrument and ink. We developed these with our own skills, and the words we use for them, mayek for script, che for paper, Khorjei for pen and mook for ink are neither of Sanskrit or Burmese origin.

In our quest to lead a civilised way of life we have not let the tiny size of our land, or the remote fastness of our terrain be any hindrance.

This is only the briefest of glimpses of our proud civilization highlighted by our rich culture. Over the centuries we have inculcated a symbiotic relationship with our values, they define us and we in turn define them.

Inimical and debilitating influences on our values are, straight forward warily regarded as assaults on our own corporal selves.

And British policy in Manipur at the fag and of the 19th century was taken as anti Manipuri by Manipuris in general and by our then leaders in particular.

So this is why Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Paona Brajabashi, Subedar Niranjan, Jamadar Kajao aka Pukhramba Phingang and Chirai Thangal and thousands of other unknown martyrs rose up against the British. They gave up their lives to protect the way of life and values which we have nurtured, developed and cherished over the millennia.

August 13 is a day of solemn remembrance and not a day of festivity. Let those in authority know this fully well. On the other hand, it is heartening to note that Patriots' Day is celebrated in New Delhi, a recent development, in Assam, particularly in Cachar, in Tripura and Bangladesh along in a few other places.

The Manipuri Diaspora should be actively involved in seeing that Patriots' Day is observed in as many places as possible in the world. This is the way we should make the rest of humanity know that we have not lost our grit and character.

Young friends, remember when we are up against all odds, our elders chide and goad us by challenging us 'Are you not a Manipuri?'

Finally dear respected brethren in the hills please do not forget many tribal warriors also lost their lives at Khongjom and its aftermath.

To them we bow in obeisance and humility and pray for their souls on Patriots' Day.

– This editorial has specially been prepared for the younger generation.