Call of history reverberates
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 18 2022:
While promoting tourism, visiting tourists should be familiarized with the history and unique culture of Manipur, said Health Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan.
He was attending a programme held at Chandrakirti Auditorium Hall, Palace Compound to commemorate the first sitting of the Assembly Session at State Durbar Hall on October 18, 1948.The commemoration was organised by the Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) .
Addressing the commemoration, Dr Sapam Ranjan said, to instil patriotism among the children, history of Manipur should be included well in the academic curriculum and taught.
This would also promote and strengthen the cultural identity.
"We have to teach ourselves and protect our historical and cultural identity.
Preserving in writings only would not be enough.
We have to learn and teach our unique history and culture and spread it," he said.
"Manipur's demography should be studied to project what would be the status in 15-20 years and what impact it would have on our cultural identity.
Experts should study all these facets to preserve our culture and identity," he said.
Convenor of the organising committee of the commemoration, Asheiba Luwang said Manipur was an independent State in South East Asia before becoming a part of India.
October 18, 1948 was a proud moment for Manipuris.
After the end of the British rule, Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947 was formulated and gave way for a democratically elected Government.
It was on October 18, 1948 that the first Assembly Session of independent Manipur was held at Durbar Hall.
Stating that the then Government had representation of both hills and the valley and they had worked towards common goals, Asheiba said that the present generation should see if they are going in the right direction.
Now there are conflicts fueled by outsiders to divide the people.
There are forces that are threatening "our history, culture and identity".
It is time for people to unite and protect their culture, tradition and identity, he said.
MLA Lamlai AC Khongbantabam Ibomcha, MLA Kakching AC Mayanglambam Rameshwar, MLA Wangkhei AC Thangjam Arunkumar and CCSK president Jeetendra Ningomba attended the commemoration as presidium members.