Imphal, December 12: Offering of floral tributes, release of commemorative stamp, memorial race, remembrance of the spirit of the Manipur women folk and various other related programmes marked the Nupilan Day 2004 observation qrganised throughout the State today.

The day is being observed in many parts of the State for the last many years to remember the guts and spirit of the Manipuri women who protested against artificial food scarcity in 1931.The women rose in unison to denounce the trade monopoly of the then Manipur State Durbar and imperialist British India that caused acute shortage of foodgrains for the public inspite of abundant production.

The then uprising is also connected to the protest against forced labour of the Manipuri men by the imperialists power.

In the State Government organised celebration function at Nupilan Memorial Complex, Imphal, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Art & Culture Minister Ph Panjat graced the occasion as the chief guest and president respectively.

A commemorative stamp proposed W Angou Singh to the Department of Postal Services while he a Rajya Sabha MP was also released on the occasion by the Chief Minister.

The stamp was handed to the former MP by the Postmaster General of the Shillong based North Eastern Circle Lalhluna Angou then handed over the same to the CM.

O Ibobi also led in offering floral tributes at the portrait of the women 'freedom fighters' while Lalhluna in his brief speech hailed the spirit of the women.

He also exulted at the fact that the Postal Services could contribute in remembering the feats of the women through release of the stamp.

Expressing gratitude to the Postal Services for the dedication in preparing the commemorative stamp, Chief Minister O Ibobi said it is a pride for the people of Manipur to be reminded of the bravery of the Manipuri women folk that had attracted global attention.

He further appealed to the State women folk to take the lead in restoring peace and tranquillity in Manipur while iterating that peace and cooperation of all concerned is an essential ingredient to develop the State.

In his presidential speech, Ph Parijat highlighting the exemplary endeavour of the women folk that changed the course Manipuri history also desired that pioneer statesman Hijam Irabot and his followers be remembered on this day.

Artistes of the Nupilal Memorial Association and Nupilal and Khongjom War Memorial Society also staged a play based on the uprising.

The 13th State Level Nupilan Ningshing Lamjel (race) was flagged off from Nupilan Memorial Complex this morning from 6.55.The race organised by Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel Organising Committee culminated at Singjamei Super Market where a function was also held in connection with the observation.

People lined up along the route to encourage the participants among whom included several aged women.

B Malaya (45) of Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Th Ibemhal (55) of Khongjom New Bazar and N Rashi (42) secured first, second and third respectively.

Prizes were later distributed at Singjamei Super Market.

Nupilal Memorial Celebration Committee observed 65th anniversary of the uprising at Kuki Inn where rich tributes were paid to martyred souls of the first and second Nupilan.

President of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Longjam Memchoubi, Meira Paibi Welfare Association Kangleipak president Thokchom Mitlu, All Manipur Women's Voluntary Association president Nongthombam Chaobi Chanu were the presidium members at the observation.

Representatives of several organisations and eminent social workers speaking on the occasion recalled the affect of the women uprising in awakening the society to stay alert and strive for preservation of social ethics, oppose imperialist design as well as to protect the society from all forms of evil.

They highlighted indispensability of unified movement to achieve any cherished goal.

As part of the observance about 150 trainees of RK Sanatombi Devi College of Education took part in a social camp at the campus of Children Home, Deulahland, informed Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti.

Manipuri Literary Society (Imphal) also observed 14th Nupilan Day at Manipur Hindi Parishad Hall, Assembly Road with the Society's former president Dr Ngangom Akashini Devi, MU Prof M Sanatombi and RIMS Staff Nurse Yumnam Manjuri Devi as the functional president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

Besides offering floral tributes to martyred souls of the Nupilan two minutes silence was observed in solidarity with the agitation of Irom Chanu Sharmila to remove AFSPA from Manipur.

All Manipur Nupi Marup, Irawat Bhavan and Women's Association for Civic Action Kangleipak, Sagolband Kangabam Leikai also observed the day.

Meitei Chanura Marup, Wabagai and Macha Leikai jointly observed the day at 32nd Nupigee Numit at Wabagai Keithel Macha with twelve women leaders of various organisations of nearby areas as the presidium members while at Wabagai Lamkhai Bazar Nupilal Observation Committee is association with Machal, Sedo and Amova observed the day at 65th Nupilan Ningshing Thouram.

Similar observations were also organised at Sagolmang bazar, Yairippk Nongbram, Wangjing Primary School, Moirang Multipurpose Hr Sec School, Wangoo Laipham Awang Leikai Primary School, Moreh and Jiribam areas.

Macha Leima (Keibi Kumuda-Taret Khul branch), Leimarol Lamjingkon (Thangmeiband Kabrabam Leikai), Chanura Marup Manipur People's Party, All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation (Porompat) and All Manipur Women's Assn (Keisamthong) also obseved Nupilan at their respective office premises.

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