Puya Mei Thaba to be observed for a fortnight
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 08 2011: With an aim to create awareness amongst upcoming generations on the negative impact of the burning of Puyas to the Manipuri society, the International Observation Committee on Puya Mei Thaba (ICOP) is all set to observe a fortnight long Puya Mei Thaba commemoration.

Addressing media persons, Namoijam Tomba, convenor of ICOP said that the 283rd anniversary of incident of burning of the Puyas in front of the Utra Sanglen on the 23rd day of Wakching, Thursday, 1729, falls on January 16 for 2012.The ICOP along with various other CSOs will be observing the Puya Mei Thaba commemoration, starting from January 2 for a fortnight.

He informed that from January 2 to 7, the ICOP along with all the recognised Private Schools in the state will be wearing black badges as a mark of protest and the incident will be remembered as a "Black Day".

There will also be a State Level Painting Competition for students upto class X on the theme "Puya Mei Thaba" on January 8.The competiton would be organised along with Ideal club.

From January 9 to 12, there will be a discussion on the theme "the thoughts of the people on the burning down of the Puyas".

On January 13, a drama entitled "Kangla Phambalda Thambal" based on the burning of Puya by Late Ningombam Angousana Meetei, will be presented, he added.

He further said that a book written in Meetei script by Dr Waikhom Romesh, Lecturer, GP Women's College will be released on January 14.The main observance function will be held on January 16 with offerings of floral tributes at Kangla Utra Sanglen where the Puyas were consigned to flames, as a mark of respect to the Maichous and Mainous of that time who strongly imposed the burning of the sacred puyas.

This would be followed by a public rally which will converge at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen where a public meeting will be held.

As a part of the main observance function, writer Chana Lukhoi will be awarded the 'Maichou Ningshing Mana' and Guru Rewben Mashangva, the 'Chingmi Tammi Nungsi Lipun Mana' for this year, he announced.

Apart from people coming from different hill and valley districts of the state, representatives from outside the state including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tripura and Cachar will also be participating in the observation.

He further informed that the observance of the 'Puya Mei Thaba' has been organized by the Meetei National Front since 1985.The coming observance will be organized by the International Observation Committee on Puya Mei Thaba (ICOP) which was formed by the Meetei National Front along with people from Canada, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Tripura, Jiribam and Moreh, on November 28 .

The organization also expressed its gratitude to RK Ibungosana, SP, NCB, Regional Unit Imphal for contributing an amount of Rs 10,000 for the occasion and further appealed to all organisations and individuals not to call any bandh or blockade during the course of the observance.

Speaking on the occasion, RV Minthing, Chairman, ICOP, said that the observance of the Puya mei Thaba day is not meant to take revenge upon those who have committed the crime of burning the Puyas but for all of us to live peacefully and with respect for each other.

He further said that there was love prevailing among the various communities in the state of Manipur before the burning of the Puyas.

There was no difference between one community and another community.

But after the incident of burning Puyas, there has no peace and love in the society and the situation is worsening.It was only with the motive of bringing the state to such a condition that the Puyas were burnt down.

The people of the state should understand this and try to bring back the lost love and peace.

If differences between different communities continue to exist in the state, then no community will be able to live together peacefully.

Vice Chairman of ICOP, Sairem Nilbir said that we should not worry and quarrel amongst ourselves in coming to the decision of bringing out the exact date and time of the day the Puyas were burnt, but should dwell more on the extent of harm that burning of the Puyas did to the Manipuri society.

Vice Chairman of ICOP and Director, Mutua Museum, Mutua Bahadur, President of MEELAL, N Naodalenkhomba, President of KIMACS, S Nodia Mangang, Advisor of MEELAL, Ng Yumjao, Finance Convenor Laishram Nongmai leima, President of MNF, Chingsubam Wangambi Leima and Chief Convenor of ICOP who is also the President of All Manipur Muslim Pangal Women Organisation were also present on the occasion.

Comment