TODAY -

E-Pao! Essays - Lest Ye Forget Ous Heroes Who died For One People and One Land

Lest Ye Forget Our Heroes Who died For One People and One Land

From my heart - Vashum Vareingam *



Dear people of Manipur and Readers around the world

Manipur is the birthplace of many great men who inspired and left with us with the spirit of nationalism and hope of life for our better future. They went through untold sufferings and harassment from the hands of the colonial political leaders of the British. They had a strong faith, determination, sacrifice and perseverance in order to give a safer home with peace and security for everyone of us in the "Land of Jewel" as one people. Remember our heroes lest we forget, Bir Tkendrajit, Charai Thangal, Thangal General from the Naga Hills, Late Y. Shaiza, and Radhabinod who are ex Chief Ministers who belonged to the pioneering generation of Manipur. (apology for not naming more names of our heroes).

Many Christian leaders who were very committed with their lives to sharing God's love amongst Meitei, Nepalis and their own tribal peoples as voluntary missionaries set a model for the rest of Christian leaders and community for taking own initiatives for peace and harmony regardless of religion, and tribes in the "Land of Jewel". Love to remember them in our history as our great leaders such as V.S. Phanitphang of Tolloi father of Dr Vashum Hoping, Daiho Mao and humbled leaders of some from Kukis community who traveled on bare foot to share God's love in our land for the past 55 years ago are the best examples of doing good deeds for others people and community in our history of Manipur.

They did not serve people for fame or power but it was the true inspiration and conviction of love for fellow people from God. They never used divergent and dissension policy to get support from people for their own leadership sake amongst different people groups in Manipur. Rather, they humbly created in the minds and hearts of the people a sense of oneness, same values, and sense of belonging as "One People".

In other word, they were very inclusive in their leadership in spite of resistance from some section of people. An integration of different people groups must be based on spirit of truth and feeling of oneness in spite of diversity that will show our maturity of living together as one people in true sense of nationalism for achieving higher meaning of life and opportunity for the better future.

The maturity of our commitment and love are tested through trials or adversity are unavoidable in living as one people. Our past heroes had set a good examples for us with their lives to mirror ourselves when the challenges are faced in various levels of life and our future seemingly looks cloudy. Our past heroes understood one another of their own differences but learnt to accept one another, knowing that the future would be brighter and more exciting when their hearts and brains were put together to solve the problems or face challenges to overcome.

Their priorities were highlighted toward the welfare and interest of the less fortunate and general public. They never became blockages to one another for sake of the general progressive life at large. In this way, we can learn to support each other in order to share the benefits of our hard work and sacrifices to strengthen our unity as one people. For example, If more autonomous administrations is created in the hills for hills' people or in the valley, more districts are opened to serve to the needs of community, we must lern to welcome warmly and support for it. But here the questions are who are going to do it and how they will do it.

But it is a simple calculation when people of different groups work together one people in the process of democratic system. Who can be against such ideas if it can bring brighter hope and future. Such changes are not for foreigners but it will be for the people who share the same vision and feeling of oneness for younger generation. If an international airport is going to set up in Manipur for the interest of her people and for benefit of the international community, definitely, those of our past heroes would surely come back to the forefront in order to fight for us as one people.

God has been blessed upon our land by putting us at the most strategic location near to Burma, Thailand, China, and Nepal etc for a good reasons to connect internationally for business and promoting tourism and peace in the world. Therefore, it also gives a great attraction to foreigners and Indians. Such ideas were conceived by our past heroes as we understand their intention and vision through their sacrifices.

Who are your heroes today for our land? There are many heroes who are working behind the scene. The leaders at the top at New Delhi must claim the responsibility if they are a true politicians of India. If the prevailing situation and brutal killings of innocent lives due to RAP and AFSPA in Manipur were today seen by our past heroes, such as Kajao, Charai Thangal, Tikendrajit and so on, would surely rise up from their graves and would fight to death for you and me regardless of Meitei, Naga and Kukis. Many more heroes are coming up to protect and preserve our land from few corrupted and crafty politicians who forcefully rule the people in spite of violation of democratic laws and without the public trust and support.

Today, we have so many politicians, lawyers, doctors and so on but what are real sacrifices and for whom they are truly doing? Many ordinary citizens are asking in their minds in Manipur. We are educated and having much better life than the past heroes who had gone ahead of us. But majority of the present politicians or leaders are getting more selfish and wise for the wicked profits. Many are busy to get favor for their kids into MBBS or MCS through back door. Our uncles are not gifted or qualified for MLAs but we are busy for him to get elected as MLAs for only gaining power and become rich within few months and years.

But what is the logic and benefit in the long run, if your children are living in Manipur where there is no safe home with peace and security at all. Manipur is a birthplace of ours, where equal opportunity or basic rights are deprived in the name of insurgency by using AFSPA and RAP which does not allow foreign tourists and businessmen and friends to visit Manipur freely. And we locals are also restricted to bring in oversea friends for business or social visits. Some of the opportunity for trade, promotion of tourism, human rights, peace, and cultural exchange are difficult to organize in order to benefit our young people. How shall we share with others who are keen to hear the story of "Polo Game".

There are many instances as foreign friends and tourists are restricted to visit even Naga volunteers who went to France and Italy during Wars times though they had significantly contributed for world peace. Those Naga Volunteers got favor from France and Italy for their honesty and faithfulness for which they were offered to live in Italy and France after the Wars. Yet they returned home to build better homeland in Manipur. Foreigners who met Nagas believed that Nagas are not from the Indian territory but from the Naga hills in Manipur. Nagas are identical with their unique culture and beautiful attires. The Naga volunteers who went to Europe as I mentioned, are true heroes for the people of Manipur.

More to hear the stories of the heroes from issue 2.




* Vashum Vareingam ( social worker based in Singapore) writes regularly for e-pao.net.
He can be contacted at [email protected]
This article was published on the eve of Patriots Day - 13th August 2004

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025