31st Death Anniversary of Yangmasho Shaiza at Tangrei, Ukhrul

31st January 2015

31st Death Anniversary of Yangmasho Shaiza at Tangrei, Ukhrul

COURTYARD PLAY “CHAGI KHUJI” ENTHRALLED AUDIENCE AT 31ST DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF YANGMASHO SHAIZA

The 31st Death Anniversary of Mr. Yangmasho Shaiza, Former Chief Minister of Manipur jointly organized by Yangmasho Shaizao Memorial Trust and United All Communities' Social Uplifters (UNACSU) was observed by paying fitting tributes in his memorial at Tangrei, Ukhul. Many prominent persons including Ms. Soso Shaiza, eldest daughter in law of Late Yangmasho Shaiza; Mr. N. Luikham, Retd. IAS; Mr. P. Yangkahao, Retd. Chairmam, Board of Secondary Education (BOSEM), Mr. Mayo Shaiza, brother of Yangmasho Shaiza, Dr. Homen Thangjam, Asst. Prof., MB College, Imphal; Laishram Biren, President UNACSU; Dr. Shimreingam Hungyo, Asst. Prof., Pettigrew College, Ukhrul spoke on the occasion. All the speakers recalled the contribution made by Yangmasho Shaiza in his lifetime to bring even development and also to foster hill-valley unity.

Ms. Soso Shaiza who delivered the address on behalf of the Shaiza family and Yangmaso Shaiza Memorial Trust lauded Yangmasho Shaiza as a dynamic and farsighted leader who had the vision of accepting and accommodating all tribes and communities of Manipur. Further she added that the best tribute to Yangmaso Shaiza would be to contribute by working towards realizing his vision and dream of bringing equal development to both hill and valley, a peaceful and prosperous Manipur where each and every tribes, communities, hill and valley live together in harmony and make his rainbow concept a reality.

She also appealed to the people attending the anniversary observation with UNACSU in particular to pursue the Government to establish a park with his statue installed in recognition of what he did and contributed in his lifetime for the betterment and development of the state.

Dr. Homen Thangjam in his address lauded Yangmasho Shaiza as one such son of soil of Manipur who is above ethnic politics, who stood for a united Manipur and contributed towards understanding the irreversible relationship between the two geographical entities, which together make a whole, and that one calls Manipur. While decrying the murky state in political sphere which get to see with so many contractors and neophytes getting elected with spurious means overnight propelling to political position, the politicians of today do not have the moral fiber as Shaiza did, he further added. In his conclusion, he stated that, there is something which can be forgiven but cannot be forgotten, and that his tragic death is one such which cannot be forgotten.

31st Death Anniversary of Yangmasho Shaiza at Tangrei, Ukhrul

Mr. Laishram Biren punctuated his lecture with a presentation of memento on behalf of UNACSU to the Yangmasho Shaizo Memorial Trust. He praised Shaiza as a true nationalist with secular outlook by crediting him for abandoning and forbidding the observance of Saraswati Pujah in Government Schools; and for introducing Meitei Mayek in School education.

Dr. Shimreingam, gave his lecture sharing his understanding of Shaiza after surveying the perception that the intelligentsia as well as the common lay man had across community, sums up by saying Yangmaso Shaiza who respected the teachers, who moved around with the intellectuals, who debated with the great politicians of his time, who loved the poor but hated poverty and who saw, all human beings on equal footing was assassinated on 30 January, 1984. Thus ended the political career of the man whose religion was 'Truth', whose motto was 'Work' and whose action was 'Reformation'.

Advocate Sukhemba, Publicity Secretary of UNACSU presented gifts to the members of Yangmasho Shaiza memorial trust. The anniversary was initiated and concluded with a hymn and the prayer moderated respectively by Rev. Ephriam Shaiza, Executive Secy, Tangkhul Naga Baptist Church (TNBC); and Rev. HA Thanmi, Pastor, Phungyo Baptist Church, Ukhrul.

A courtyard Bilingual play titled “Chagi Khuji” translated as Plastic Wristlet, scripted and directed respectively by Athokpam Tomchou and Yumnam Rajendra based on the theme of hill-valley unity was later performed. A packed audience remained stuck to their seats braving the chilling cold weather and enjoyed the play. The play altogether has 10 characters consisting of three Meitei, six Tangkhul and one Punjabi with dialogues delivered in both Tangkhul and Meiteilon.

See a photo gallery on this event here