Shun divisive thought: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 17 2013 :
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today appealed to all the communities in Manipur to shun thought of division and put in their joint their efforts towards building a developed and united Manipuri society.
He was speaking as Chief Guest of the 94th Zogal Day (19-17-19) cum Zouton organised by United Zou Organisation, HQ at Zogal Memorial Hall Complex, Zoveng in Churachandpur district.
Gaikhangam, who is also holding the portfolio of Home Minister, went on to observe that Manipur is a state, which best exemplifies unity in diversity.
Despite being a home to different communities speaking different languages and professing different cultures, all the people in Manipur share a common interest.
It may be a state with diverse cultures and traditions, but the people of different communities have been living peacefully irrespective of their differences in religion, language, culture and tradition since time immemorial.
It is this unity in diversity, which makes Manipur and India, an ideal place for people of different communities and religions to lead a peaceful life.
It is this unity, which has been the cause of envy of other countries, Gaikhangam asserted.
Forgetting thought of division, it is necessary for every Manipuri to work for the development of a better Manipur, he exhorted, while explaining that Zogal Day is being observed in memory of our forefathers who bravely fought against the British Empire for the freedom of Manipur.
"It has been 94 years since our forefathers fought the British imperialists with the slogan 'Our motherland should not be ruled by others.
We should rule our own land'.
It is necessary for people of every community to have the courage like our forefathers and follow their path," he said.
Stating that enemy of the state is also enemy of its people, Gaikhangam appealed to all the communities in Manipur to give up the thought of disintegration and work hard for the welfare and development of the state.
MLA Singhat A/C, Gensuanhau, Minister Social Welfare and Cooperative AK Mirabai, MLA Saikul A/C Yamthong Haokip, Parliamentary Secretary of Horticulture and Soil Conservation & CADA Vungzagin Valte and President of United Zou Organisation John Manglianthang Zou were also present on the occasion as presidium members.