Body bats for nurturing patriotism
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 16 2022:
People's Alliance for Peace and Progress, Manipur (PAPPM) has observed that remembering the heroic and patriotic spirit of our ancestors is very much important, but all the more important and necessary is to nurture the sense of patriotism among the people while observing the Patriots' Day.
In a release, PAPPM president M Bobby Meetei stated that the significance of observing Patriots' Day on August 13 is to learn the wisdom from the past and rectify it in present, so that the posterity can flourish in Manipur.
Still the threats that cost Manipur's sovereignty are lingering in Manipur, which today is a divided house where each community or ethnic group is competing amongst themselves without knowing that it is a futile exercise.
It is time the present generation respect and imbibe the spirit of the forefathers who fought against the British imperial power some 131 years back and follow their path of sacrifice and patriotism in real sense of the term, not just rhetoric, ceremonial and ritual observance of Patriots' Day, it emphasised.
PAPPM continued that it is time for us to reconsider whether we will be able to follow the footprints of our forefathers.
"Do we have the bravery, courage and patriotism that our forefathers have? Taking part in the Patriots' Day observance as ritual will not bring us a better Manipur.
If we did not learn anything from our forefathers and our past history, Manipur will never be free from the myriad of problems that it has been encountering," it said.
PAPPM further said that the real tribute to the forefathers who died fighting against the mighty British Empire to defend the sovereignty and independence of Manipur is to follow their spirit of patriotism in every walk of life and to put Manipur at the pinnacle of peace and prosperity through collective strength and effort.