The Renaissance Man of Manipur
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 01, 2012 -
116th Irabot Birth Anniversary held at Iboyama Shumang Lila Shanglen on September 30 2012 :: Pix - Bunti Phurailatpam
In addition to tons of observances, both at the National as well as International level, the month of September has come to occupy a special place not only in the annual calendar all over the world but also in the hearts of the people of Manipur.
Apart from the fact that September marks the transition from the scorching summer heat to the chilly winter in northern hemisphere with half of the world coming alive to autumnal festivities, the significance of the month in the lives of the Manipuri people is becoming more prominent today with each passing year.
It was in this month that Hijam Irabot (30th September, 1896 - 26th September, 1951), the pioneering renaissance man of Manipur, was not only born but also breathed his last.
So, the entire September is being observed in honour of Irabot, who left his marks in various fronts - politics, social, literature, sports, art and culture, etc.
Irabot not only fight against the hegemony of the then British ruler but also worked for abolishing many social evils prevailing in Manipuri society of that time.
To awaken the consciousness of the people, he wrote poems, books and magazines/journals but also acted in many theatrical performances to reach out his message, more particularly to the neglected farmers and other marginalized sections of the society.
Interestingly, for greater part of his life and even after death, Irabot remained a much misunderstood personality for long, especially among the elites and rulers.
It was only during the last three decades that the people have started according due recognition to Irabot.
Along with remembering the yeomen service rendered by him to Manipuri society, various social organisations in the state as well as outside, are organizing various events to mark the month-long observance.
It was interesting to note that this year, reports of Irabot Day celebrations have even come in from hill areas of Manipur.
This shows how the ideologies and principles of Irabot have spread far and wide inspiring one and all. We may take a pause and question here why Irabot is becoming so popular today?
The answer is simple, Irabot was one leader who sacrificed everything for the people and led them by setting himself as an example.
This is the quality of a true leadership, which the people could not expect from the present lots of their so-called public leaders and elected representatives even in their wildest dream.
Contrary to what Irabot did during his lifetime, contemporary leaders work by keeping themselves before everything else and they are always eager for rewards of every little thing they do.
So, the talks of sacrifices and dedication to public service that come out from the mouth of these leaders on the occasion of commemorative events of Irabot sound like an insult to an icon who was already a legend during his lifetime.
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