120th Patriots' Day observance Jiribam, Moreh pay tribute to martyrs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 13 2011:
Paying rich tributes to Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and all the Manipuri brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives while fighting against the British for protecting the sovereignty of Manipur, the 120th Patriots' Day was also observed under the aegis of Pari-Puri Athouba Ningshing Lup (PPANL) at the Ancestral Heritage Memorial complex located inside the Bio-diversity Park, Jiribam today.
Works Minister K Ranjit and Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Bijoy Koijam, who attended the observance as chief guest and special guest respectively, led the people in offering floral tributes to the martyrs.
Chairman of PPANL S Kula presided over the function which was also attended by Member of Hillghat Zilla Parishad Ph Montesori, ADC Jiribam S Achouba, vice chairman of UCM Y Nabachandra, president of UPF YK Dhiren, vice president of NIPCO Sunil Karam, AMSU advisor Kh Ratan, JIMPAL advisor B Sarat, representative of Bengali Muslim community Turfan Ali, secretary of All Jiribam Tribal Union Tahemang Panmei and representative of Meitei-Pangal community Md Badai as guests of honour.
Prior to paying floral tributes, a contingent of Manipur Rifles also offered gun salute at the memorial of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and Paona Brajabashi.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Ranjit called upon all the communities in Manipur to leave aside the parochial outlook and join hands for taking the State towards the path of development, peace and prosperity.
The Minister reminded that British domination over a small but powerful then independent kingdom like Manipur could be possible on account of mutual distrust among princes.
Highlighting some of the developmental works to be taken up in Jiribam, the Minister announced that black-topping of the road stretch connecting Ningsingkhul would be carried out just after the monsoon season is over.
In this regard, necessary instructions have also been given to the officials concerned of the Works Department, the Minister informed.
The Minister also announced that a sum of Rs 2 crores has been set aside for upgrading the road from zero to eight kilometre to double lane, another Rs 2 crores for construction of the road from Uchathol to Chingdong apart from another Rs 2 crores for improvement of the road from Chandranath to Harinagar.
In the function today, prizes of the spot painting competition, recitation competition and patriotic song competition organised in connection with the observance were also distributed among the winners.
The chief guest and the special guest also donated a sum of Rs 50 to the organiser of the function.
Our Moreh correspondent adds : The 120th Patriots' Day was also observed at Kondong Lairembi ground, Moreh today paying tributes to Manipuri martyrs who fought against the British.
The observance was organised under the joint aegis of Meetei Moreh Council (MCM); All Community Development Organisation, Moreh (ACODOM); AMSU Chandel district committee, Moreh; Minority Women Development Society, Moreh and Muslim Women Development Association.