PPCM commemorates Manipur's I-Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 14 2017:
The Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM) commemorated the 70th Manipur Independence Day at Sana Konung Lampak, Palace Compound from 10.30 am today with titular king of Manipur Meidingu Leishemba Sana- jaoba as the chief guest .
Ph Deban, Chairman, Observation Committee, PPCM; RV Mingthing, ex-Minister and T Lunkim, chairman, Kuki Organisation for Human Rights and Dr Md Rahijuddin Sheikh Ahamed, Principal, Community College as the president and guests of honour respectively .
Unfurling of Manipur Flag by titular king Lei-shemba Sanajaoba and march past by different contingents were important highlights of the programme .
Addressing the function, Leishemba Sanajaoba said that history cannot be distorted.
Asserting that nothing can be achieved without unity, he called upon all concerned to forget past mistakes and enmity and build strength through unity and assign priority to oneness.
The Manipur Flag unfurled today would fall if there is disunity among the people .
Sanajaoba also said that all would go in vain if there is no unity among the people.
Amidst the thunderous applause, he urged all concerned to ensure that Mani- pur flag is flown higher so that the world communities could behold it .
Ph Deban said all ethnic communities of Manipur have protected it.
As such, people of different communities should take the responsibility of protecting and preserving the integrity of the State against any unwarranted threats in future too .
Every individual should take part in such event that is inclusive to all, he said.
Ex-Minister RV Mingthing said that Manipur is constituted by people from both the hills and valley.
Manipur was an independent kingdom.
The British colonials attempted to break the unity of Manipur by sowing the seeds of enmity among the people .
People should have the mentality that Manipur is still an independent kingdom.
In doing so, people would have more attachment to the State, he said while also stressing the need to spread awareness about the significance of Manipur's independence day among the younger generations .
He also said that history should shape the future of the people.
Dr Md Rahijuddin Sheikh said that the contributions of Meitei-Pangal for Manipur in 1891 should not be forgotten.
He also said that people of the State are landed into a state of dismay due to insincerity of some in power.
He added that numerous schemes sanctioned for the State are meant for the entire people but not only for those in power .
President of All Zeliangrong Union Chandra Haomei urged all concerned to shun the mentality of disintegration while also stressing the need to strengthen unity .
Delivering the keynote address, N Bimol, convener of 70th Manipur Independence Day Observation Committee said leaders of the State, after independence from British yoke in 1947, had vision to weave unity among all communities of the State .
He urged all concerned to reflect and compare the dreams of the leaders during 1947-49 and the reality now.