Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 12 2010:
Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Jagat has greeted the people of Manipur on the occasion of Patriots' Day.
In a message of greetings, the Governor said, "Patriots' Day reminds us of the unconquerable and indomitable spirit of the great heroes of Manipur, particularly Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Niranjan Subedar, Kajao and Chirai Naga, who made the supreme sacrifice on the gallows for the cause of their motherland.
The Manipuri patriots stood valiantly against the British and showed to the world with their selfless sacrificing spirits and patriotism that freedom could never be bartered away nor conceded at any cost and under any circumstances; instead they finally sacrificed their lives for the cause of the freedom of their motherland" .
The Governor said, "When we celebrate this Day, it is also very important to recall that Manipur could be ruled by the British in 1891 mainly because of the disunity and dissenting attitude of the then princes of Manipur" .
"While paying homage and tribute to the great martyrs earnestly, we have to renew our pledge that we will uphold and strengthen the bonds of national unity and integrity, and also rededicate ourselves to the task of building a strong and prosperous nation in the true spirit of patriotism and selfless sacrifice," the Governor said in his message.
The Deputy Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th Lokeshwar, in a message of greetings to the people of Manipur on the occasion of Patriots' Day, said that it was a supreme sacrifice made by the brave martyrs knowing fully well that they would be defeated in the battle against the enemy.
"It is a matter of pride that we are the descendants of those brave martyrs," Deputy Speaker Lokeshwar said.