'Need to remember vision and ideas of forefathers'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 18 2022:
IPR minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has called for respecting and discussing the vision and ideas of forefathers of the land on the occasion of remembrance of the installation of the first democratic Government in Manipur on October 18, 1948.He was speaking as chief guest of the observance of 'Kangleipak Manipur gi Puwarida Meeyamgi Ahanba Leingak Leikhiba Numit October 18, 1948' organised by Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) at Maharaja Chandrakirti auditorium, Palace Compound here on Tuesday.
Dr Ranjan stressed the need for young people and the students to be aware of the important dates of Manipur, its rich cultural heritage, history and identity.
This will not only help in development of the state but also further promote the state in the glob al arena.
In addition, there is the need to discuss the best way to preserve and protect the same, he asserted.
In his speech, Organising Committee convenor Asheiba Luwang said that the observance was organised with the aim of gathering information about the historical events of the state and assessing how best to incorporate the same in the development of present Manipur.
Manipur was once an independent kingdom in Southeast Asia with thousands of years of history.
However, with the passage of time it was forcefully occupied and then annexed, bringing it under the rule of a government, completely different than its own.
In such a situation, it is important for the present generation to assess whether Manipur is heading towards the right direction or onto the path of disintegration amidst huge changes.
Thus, October 18, 1948 is one such important date in history, that marked the first time Manipur took the first step towards independence after remaining under the British colonial rule for a long time, he said.
After securing independence from British, the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 was enacted which then saw to the formation of a democratic government, with elected members from both the valley and the hills.
Thus, the present generation must not forget the significance of the day, the issues which followed soon after and the future of Manipur, the convenor remarked.
Asheiba then observed that the general mindset at present is all about serving self-interests regardless of the consequences.
The intellectual elite care more about their own communities and as such, they do not refrain from trying to rewrite the composite history into a complex history.
Such individuals also do not refrain from taking the help of outsiders to cause chaos and disintegrate.
However, they seem to have failed to realise that this would only lead to the subjugation of the indigenes by outsiders and possibly, complete disappearance of Manipur in the future.
As such, the movement to preserve and protect the independence, unity, cultural and historical evidence has been rendered useless with the trend of imitating and following foreign culture and tradition.
Thus, time has come for all, especially the present generation to take a stand and come up with ways to preserve our ethics, cultural identity and tradition, while further promoting the same at the global stage, thereby bringing about a bright new 'Kangleipak, Manipur', he stated.
The observance was also attended by Lamlai MLA Kh Ibomcha; Kakching MLA M Rameshwar Singh; Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar and CCSK president Jeetendra Ningomba.