RK Ranjan calls for in-depth research on unsung heroes
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB
Imphal, August 14 2022:
Union minister of state for education and external affairs RK Ranjan on Sunday urged the scholars of the state, particularly the historians, to do an in-depth research on the unsung freedom fighters of Manipur so that they can be included in the composite history of freedom struggle of India.
The union minister was addressing the gathering of the integrated communication and outreach programme on Har Ghar Tiranga and Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav organised by Imphal regional office of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting held at the auditorium of CBC, RO Imphal, on Sunday.
During the event, the union minister also launched an e-feature on 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' and official music video 'Hey Ima Manipur' .
India is commemorating August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.
The commemoration was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the day last year.
RK Ranjan said that the horror and pains of the partition can never be forgotten as thousands of people were displaced and many lost their lives due to mindless hate and violence.
The main objective of remembering the horror event is to prevent repetition of such mindless hate and violence, and to mark the memory of the struggles and sacrifices of people, he said.
On the other hand, the union minister said that it is a well-known fact that India got freedom from the British through the concerted efforts of the people.
Besides leaders, there were many people who took active roles in the freedom struggle.
The history of the freedom struggle will not be a perfect one without their contributions, he added.
In Manipur too, there are a lot of unsung freedom fighters who were not known to the people of today's generation.
Many people who revolted against the British got killed in Manipur, in the present state of Mizoram, Nagaland, etc.
Ranjan stressed that only a few of them were remembered by today's generation, so the scholars, particularly historians of the region, need to do an in-depth research in this field.
"The Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji wants a composite history of freedom struggle, not a dynastic based history", he added.
The union minister then explained that the Har Ghar Thanga campaign was an initiative of the central government to instil the feeling of patriotism to every citizen of the country.
He observed that this campaign of putting tricolour at their homes will awaken patriotism in every heart.
The celebration of Independence Day is not for the ministers, MLAs and government employees.
It is for all the countrymen and they should also join the celebration of the day by hoisting the national flag in their respective homes.
The duties of the ministers and government employees are to spread the message of the Independence Day to the citizens.
The value of celebration of the day lies with the people, Ranjan added.
Ngangom Uttam, director Social Welfare, attended the event as guest of honour and Dr Engam Pame, director Press Information Bureau, presided over the function.
N Malemsanba Meetei, assistant professor of GP Women's College, was the resource person of the event, also attended by officials of CBC and Press Information Bureau among others.