Schools asked to observe Patriots' Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 04, 2012:
Joint Students' Coordination Committee has declared that every educational institutions should organise Patriots' Day observance function at their respective institutions on August 13. Speaking to newspersons at the Kwakeithel office of Students' Union Kangleipak (SUK), which is one of the six student organisations of the Committee, convenor Longjam Umakanta opined that every Manipuri should be proud of the supreme sacrifices made by Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and others in trying to protect sovereignty of then kingdom of Manipur.
Reminding that the brave warriors of Manipur, including Tikendrajit and Thangal General, opposed the British forces for which the two were subsequently hanged to death on August 13, Umakanta affirmed that commemorating the occasion is an obligation for the people of Manipur.
Insisting that every educational institutions should join in the observance of the 121st Patriots' Day on August 13 without fail, he also demanded that the Government of Manipur instruct authorities of educational institutions, including universities to pay obeisance to the martyrs of Manipur.
Asking the Government to ensure participation of all the educational institutions in the observance rather than the past practices of declaring holiday on August 13, the convenor proposed that debate, song or quiz competitions be organised to commemorate the historic occasion.
He also suggested that teachers narrate history about the determination and gallant display by the Manipuri warriors against the british soldiers, who had been a dominating force throughout the world.
totally prohibiting entertainment programmes on this particular day and asking all concerned to observe the occasion with patriotic zeal and spirit, the convenor also did not rule out 'action' against those schools that do not observe Patriots' Day.
Among others, Committee member Arambam Thoithoi was also present at the media briefing.