Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 25 2009:
The 119th death anniversary of Pukhramba Kajao was observed today at his memorial site at Kameng Meisnam Leikai.
Pukhramba Kajao was hanged to death on May 25, 1891 for spearing British Political Agent Grimwood following the British forces' attacked at the palace which claimed several innocent lives.
The main features of the death anniversary observance were offering of floral tributes at the tomb of the martyr and demonstration of several indigenous martial art forms.
The observance was graced by MLA RK Anand, ex-Union Minister Th Chaoba and MLA I Ibohanbi as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.
Additional Director (Education) Hareshwar Goswami, PTI correspondent N Tombiraj and ex-Minister Th Tomba spoke as resource persons on the occasion.
Many speaker addressing the gathering opined that the present generation need to introspect wether they have in them the valour, patriotism and sacrificial spirit of martyrs like Kajao.
"How the British rulers treated Manipur after the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 is well exemplified by the determination of our fore-fathers to win back the lost freedom", they observed.
The present generation should introspect and retrospect the dealing of the Government of India with respect to Manipur after the erstwhile sovereign kingdom was merged into the Indian Union, they exhorted.
The function culminated with presentation of Thang-Ta shows, which was acclaimed by the gathering.