State Govt celebrates R-Day amid boycott call
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2010: Amid boycott and general strike called by various UG groups, 60th Republic Day of India was celebrated in different parts of the State yesterday.

The main celebration was organised by the State administration at Kangla here with Governor Gurbachan Jagat as chief guest.

Soon after the arrival of the chief guest, a contingent of the Ist Manipur Rifles led by its Assistant Commandant Sh Jugeshwar Sharma accorded guard of honour.

This was followed by march past parade led by Commandant of Ist Manipur Rifles E Priyokumar Singh, IPS.

In all 69 contingents took part in the march past parade including the contingents of ex-servicemen, BSF, CRPF, IRB, Civil Police (both male and female), Home Guard, Manipur Fire Service, Manipur Excise, Civil Defence, NCC (both cadet boys and girls), schools/ colleges and social organisation.

Tableaux of 9 different State Government Departments was also participated in parade.

A march past contingent on R-Day and a folk dance troupe

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, other Ministers, higher officials of Civil and Police were present in the celebration.

At the occasion, chief guest also handed over the Police Medals for Gallantry given by the Government of India to 11 personnel of the State Police.

On the other hand, The 1st Manipur Rifles ground came alive to the folk dance festival as well as the Beating of the Retreat to mark the end of the celebrations of the 60th Republic Day, but in the absence of the Chief Minister.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat attended as the chief guest.

Unofficial sources said that the Chief Minister did not turn up for the function as he may have been tied up with the wedding ceremony of his nephew which was held today.

Participated by a a large number of troupes, the first prize in the folk dance festival went to Thadou Cultural Orgnisatiom, the second spot to Geeta Ideal Dance Raining Academy and the third place to Khamba Thoibi Dance Institution.

The Governor distributed the prizes to the winners of the folk dance as well as the contingents which bagged prizes in the Republic Day parade.

Shawls were also gifted to the chiefs of different villages from the hill districts who turned up for the day's event.

A fascinating display was staged by the Assam Rifles band party during today's function while the band party of Manipur Rifles, executed the Beating the Retreat.

Republic Day was also been celebrated in other district headquarters of the State.

Reporting from Churachandpur, our correspondent said that in Churachandpur, the district administration utilised everything under its disposal to make the celebration a success, with various Govt Depts setting up gates along the main venue to highlight their achievements.

Other frontal central schemes also made their presence felt through the gates along the Tiddim line atleast in four different localities.

The Republic Day celebration this year was a success as compared with the celebrations the past three years or so.

DC Churachandpur, Jacintha Lazarus in her speech highlighted the various initiatives taken up by the Govt last year as well as congratulated the citizens as the year marks the 100 years of gospel making its entry into the district.

She also called for preserving traditional values of the tribals including their honesty and honour.

'When I visited the interiors of the district, I saw and experience for myself the beauty of Churachandpur and the nobility and dignity of the citizens,' she said.

'Let us join hands not only to bring Churachandpur back to its former glory but even to a greater level ,' she added.

Meanwhile, security forces patrolling the streets in the wake of various armed groups calling boycott of the Republic Day celebration detected a hand grenade at Sielmat village and defused it in a safe place.

The incident, however, failed to deter the general public for attending the celebration at Lamka Public ground as the entire schedule, including a football match between the district administration and public officials went on without any hiccup.

Reporting from Ukhrul, our correspondent said as in the other parts of the country, Ukhrul observed 60th Republic Day celebration at Tangkhul Naga Long ground yesterday.

Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul N Ashok Kumar IAS graced the function as chief guest and hoisted the tri-colour National flag at 9:15am.In all thirty (30) contingents, most of them school children and four cultural troupes from Talloi, Sorphung, Kasom Khullen and Shirui village took part in the march past parade.

One of the main highlight of the celebration was the distribution of prizes for successful implementation of NREGS in respect of the district headquarters with Phungrei Tang west walking away with the first prize of cash reward and certificate followed by Awon Tang and Wino Bazaar with the second and third prizes respectively.

As part of the celebration, a friendly football match was also played between DC 11 and TNL 11.The DC 11 was led by Ashok Kumar as team captain.

In the evening, the DC hosted a dinner party at his bungalow.

Reporting from Tamenglong, our correspondent said Tamenglong joined the Nation in celebrating the 60th Republic Day with Sumant Singh, IAS Deputy Commissioner unfurling the national tri-colour.

The celebration was marked by march past, gate construction competition, cultural items, award distribution and friendly football match between Govt employees and the public.

The district head received the salute of 25 strong parade contingents comprising military and students.

He also paid tribute to Haipou Jaduannang and Rani Gaidinliu for their remarkable contributions.

Speaking at the occasion, Sumant also said that once dubbedmost backward district, Tamenglong is now coming up with schemes like RSVY with emphasis on road and buildings construction, NREGS giving a chance for remote villagers to be directly benefited and other schemes like, IAY, BRGF and the likes.

Cultural dances, bhartyam show, yoga display and playing of traditional flute were also featured in the celebration.

The DC also gave away red blankets to village elders and sports materials to some selected youth clubs of the district.

Girls contingent of Kendriya Vidalaya, Tamenglong claimed the first prize in march past competition while Medical Department, Tamenglong claimed the first prize in gate construction competition.

5 MR Unit school and JNV Tamenglong girls contingent came second and third in march past while DRDA Tamenglong and TAMBAC came second and third respectively in gate construction competition.

Another award named as 'Best NREGS performing village' was awarded to Puching village, Neihgailuang Tamenglong2 and Taobam (Irang) village at the occasion.

The football friendly match was won by the public XI.

In Thoubal district, the celebration was organised by the district administration at BASU ground, Khangabok along with an impressive parade.

Chief guest of the function, Deputy Commissioner of the district RK Dinesh hoisted the tri-colour flag to begin the celebration.

As the chief guest arrived at the parade ground, general salute was given.

Afterward, the chief guest conducted parade view of the march past in a decorated Jeep of the Manipur Fire Service.

Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner observed that the district administration has been trying its level best to bring about overall development of the district.

Even if there was shortage of water last year, there should not be any fear of food shortage this year.

On the law and order front, people of the district are today leading their lives peacefully.

In all 14 contingents including that of district police, VDF, Home Guards (both make and female personnel), Senior and Junior NCC and school students participated in the march past parade led by SDPO, Thoubal T Lanboi Haokip, MPS as parade commander.

Thougal Jagoi presented by cultural troupe of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Thoubal and the band display by the band party of 34 AR enthralled the onlookers.

In Senapati, the celebration was held at the Mini Stadium ground of the district headquarters with Deputy Commissioner Nidhi Kesarwani as chief guest.

After unfurling of the tri-colour flag, the chief guest received the salute of the march past parade comprising 20 contingents of Manipur Police, ex-servicemen, schools/colleges, etc.

Addressing the gathering, Nidhi Kesarwani informed that Senapati District team has been selected for the National Excellence Award for NREGS administration, 2008-09.Launched in March 2008, the scheme which has been renamed as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has benefited the people of the district.

Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan too, alternative education is being provided to around 5200 children through 249 education guarantee centres while under the Multi-sectoral Development Programme the buildings of 20 primary schools and 10 high schools have been constructed.

At the occasion, the chief guest also presented commendation certificates to five police personnel of the district and traditional red blankets to the chairmen of various villages.

Prizes have also been distributed among the winners of the march past competition, cultural programmes as well as on gate construction.

Higher officials of the Civil, Police and Army of the district, public leaders, representatives of NGOs, DLOs, etc attended the celebration.

In Chandel district, the Republic Day celebration was held under the aegis of the district administration at the ground of Maha Union Higher Secondary.

Deputy Commissioner of the district H Deleep was the chief guest of the celebration.

Assistant Commander of 8th Manipur Rifles, Laikun Moirangthem Mobi was the parade commander of the march past attended by 27 contingents and four cultural troupes.

In appreciation of their excellence services, the chief guest also presented traditional red blankets to some of the employees of the district.

In Imphal East, Republic Day celebration was held at the district headquarters with Deputy Commissioner Moirangthem Lakshmikumar receiving the salute of 37 march past contingents.

Top officials of both civil and police, staff, invitees and people of the surrounding area participated in the celebration.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds:The Republic Day celebration was also held at the office complex of ADC Jiribam with ADC Jiribam Y Iboyaima as the chief guest who unfurled the tri-colour flag.

Commandant of 5 Assam Rifles P Choudhury, Chairperson of Jiribam Municipal Council M Ratan and Officiating Commandant of 193 BSF Avatar Singh were guest of honour of the function.

The march past parade was taken out by the contingents of Jiri Police and 5 MR in the music of the ban party of 5 AR.

The National anthem was sung by Baptist Youth Fellowship, Jiribam.

Mediapersons of Jiribam were also honoured by the ADC with gifts on the occasion.

In Bishnupur, the Republic Day celebration was held at the Mini Secretariat ground of the district with Deputy Commissioner K Panmei as chief guest.

IN all 11 contingents including that of Manipur Police, Home Guard, BSF, NCC, schools, JNV, etc participated in the march past parade led by SDPO Bishnupur Hopeson Sapam.

Commendation certificates were also distributed among the selected employees of the district at the occasion.

Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by PRO Assam Rifles, the 12 Maratha Light Infantry celebrated a colourful Republic Day with various events organised by the unit and schools of Imphal town.

Around 110 students, civilians and media persons participated in the event.

The main highlights of the event include bunker bursting drill demonstration by the troops of the battalion, which left the audience clapping and amazed for a while.

Specially trained dogs of the battalion also gave an interesting show much to the amusement of the school children who fully participated in the cultural activities.

An elaborate weapon display was also organised for the school children.

CO of 12 Maratha Light Infantry gave away prizes to various children who participated in the cultural programmes.

The Republic Day was also reportedly organised by 16 Maratha Light Infantry (Ashoka Chakra Bn) at COB, Ningthiching where school children and people from all walks of life joined the function.

A march for peace and prosperity was also taken out to mark the occasion attended by Salam Lamba, kick boxer, who was sponsored by the Bn for participation in the championship at Vietnam where he won bronze medal bringing laurels to India and Manipur.