Forum visits Irawat's resting place in Myanmar, urges future generation to remember the great leader
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 17 2018: A team of five people led by Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF) Manipur president Yaiskul Khwairakpam visited the last resting place of Lamyanba Hijam Irawat at Tangbaw village, Burma (Myanmar), from May 13 till 16 .

The secretary of the forum, Rakesh Naorem, founder secretary OC Meira, Life member Ojitkumar Luwangcha and S Chandramani were also present in the trip.

A report of the trip was published today at the forum's office in Keishamthong where it claimed that not a single memorial stone/statue/bust of Irawat was erected at his last resting place which will help future generations know about his works/contribution or the last place he resided.

Forum visits Irawat's resting place in Myanmar

If the present generation do not maintain or preserve the last resting place, Lamyanba Irawat will be lost in history and his works and contribution will remain in vain, the report further stated.

It also added that , Lamyanba Irawat's crematorium site on the river bank of Ningthi river has also been damaged due to flood and the structure now lies submerged in the middle of the river.

Tangbaw is rather a small village in Burma and another Teksikhong village for seven years while adding that Irawat was a revolutionist but he never held up arms in the village.

Lamyanba Irawat was a man of words who respected and cared for women and children, she added.

Toto claimed that Lamyanba die due to a severe place and also expressed the need for Meiteis residing at Myanmar and Manipur to visit and pay homage at his memorial site every year as the place will soon be forgotten if the current trend continues.

The report also stated that the every Meitei household in Teksikhong village still follow and worship Sanamahee, apart from speaking in native Manipuri language.

It added that the village, with a population of around 230 individuals, is comprised of more than 10 Sagei or summames and is still in a rather primitive condition as there are no facilities for fresh water, electricity, hospital or even schools and only two little shops are present which sell eatables to the villagers.

The report also portrayed the continuing practice of Meitei's grand occasion including Chieraoba, Ningol Chakkouba, Kang etc and how the people also follow the tradition of Meitei's marriage and 'Laukhatpa' .

It said that if a Burmese man marries a Meitei woman, the name of the man is converted into a Meitei name (Laiming Lauba) and he stays at the bride's place and not the groom's.The report further stated that the PAWF trip to Myanmar will strengthen the relation between the Meiteis of Myanmar and Manipur.