Joykisan: Jadonang instilled sense of patriotism among people
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 29 2022:
Zeliangrong Union - Assam, Manipur, Nagaland (ZU-AMN) organised the state level 91st death anniversary observance of Haipou Jadonang, who fought the British for the sovereignty of Manipur, at Jadonang Park, Keishampat here on Monday.
Jadonang was a young freedom fighter, who fought against the British colonial empire.
He was arrested by the British and hanged till death at the present day Jadonang Park near Imphal Central Jail on August 29, 1931 on charge of waging war against the British crown.
His last rite was performed at Puilon village of Tamenglong district.
Floral tributes were paid to the statue of Haipou Jadonang and a two-minute silence was observed during the observance held in Imphal.
Attending the observance as chief guest, Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan hailed Jadonang as a courageous freedom fighter, who rallied a revolt against the British and instilled sense of patriotism among his people.
Observing that the same courage could still be seen among the people of the state, the MLA said he bagged the contract for construction of the memorial park in 2006 and completed it in within 45 days.
While acknowledging the growing demand to declare Jadonang's death anniversary as a state holiday along with confiding that the chief minister had assured of discussing the same proposal in the cabinet meeting, Joykisan assured of conveying the memorandum submitted by ZU to the CM.
He then proposed to the union to make a tradition of faking a pledge and setting a goal on every observance and making efforts to achieve the goal prior to the next observance.
The MLA further said that as the state is fighting a difficult war against drugs the public need to understand the impact of drugs menace and prioritise the fight as a collective war.
Simply organising rally will not be enough to fight the war.
People need to bring out the courage and sense of patriotism of the freedom fighters, in this fight in order to root out the drug menace and protect the indigenous people from the menace.
He also called for an initiative to check population explosion being experienced in the state.
Sagolband MLA RK Imo also spoke on the contribution made by Haipou Jadonang in the freedom movement as well as on various social issues, and called for following his footprints for a better Manipur.
He had placed the demand of ZU to renovate the memorial park before the CM and the latter has assured of doing the needful.
So far, the government has started electrification of the park and a toilet complex will be constructed at the earliest, RK Imo sad.
Stressing the need to educate and make the younger generations aware about the contributions made by Jadonang, the MLA described as disheartening that the union observe the day by blocking road under the hot summer sun.
He then suggested that the union explore the possibilities of constructing a memorial hall in the name of the freedom fighter at a suitable location while assuring his assistance on the same.
ZU-AMN president Azang Rongmei presided over the function while Nupi Samaj president Th Ramani, AMUCO president Ph Nando Luwang, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam, IPSA president Tourangbam Birjit, UPF president N Rupachandra and NIPCO president Prem Oinam attended as special guests.
Social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram spoke on the life and works of Haipou Jadonang on the occasion.
Sangaiprou Kabui Youth Organisation (SYKO) also observed the day at SYKO campus, Sangaiprou on Monday.
In a statement, SYKO informed that the observance was held with religious ritual and by offering floral tribute to the portrait of the late freedom fighter.
A free eye check-up camp was also organised in association with Medilane as part of the observance.
Later, in the evening, every household in the locality paid candle light tributes to the freedom fighter, the statement informed.