Patriots' Day celebrated sans public, many return disappointed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 13 2009: Patriots' Day was observed today in different parts of the State along with paying rich tributes to Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Niranjan Subedar, Kajao and Chirai Naga, who were executed by the British on this day in 1891 on alleged charge of waging war against the British Empire.

However, unlike in the past, the main function organised by the State Government at Bir Tikendrajit Park as well as inside Kangla, amid tight security was bereft of public participation.

Although many people, including senior citizens, turned up at Bir Tikendrajit Park, the security personnel did not allow them entry without invitation cards.

Patriots' Day celebrated

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who presided over the function, called upon the people to unite and work together for the welfare and development of the State.

However, he did not mention anything about the prevailing situation in the State.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat, who was chief guest of the function, observed that this day (August 13, 1891) will ever remain etched in the memory of the people, reminding them the supreme sacrifices made by Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General, Niranjan Subedar, Kajao and Chirai Naga in their service of the motherland.

Their sacrifices shall be written in golden letters, not only in the history of Manipur, but also in the history of India, the Governor added.

He also called upon the people to resolve to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and face all threats, internal and external, however, strong they may be, for the unit and integrity of the country.

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr S Budhichandra, Council of Ministers and top officials of civil and security were present at the function.

Prior to this, the Governor and the Chief Minister paid homage to the memorial of the martyrs at Kangla Uttra.

From there, the dignitaries walked down till Bir Tikendrajit Park where they led others in offering floral tributes to the martyrs.

A contingent of Manipur Rifles also presented the general salute and gun salute to the martyrs.

Earlier in the day, at around 8 am, the Chief Minister led his Council of Ministers, MLAs and other Government officials in offering floral tributes at the Hicham Yaichampat memorial complex at Moirangkhom where the mortal remains of Bir Tikendrajit was laid to rest.

Later, similar homage was also paid at the memorial site of Thangal General located inside Palace Compound.

At both the occasions, a contingent of Manipur Rifles presented guard of honour and gun salute to the martyrs.

As part of the Patriots' Day observance, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh also unveiled a newly installed statue of Thangal General atop the traffic island of Palace Gate during a function organised jointly by Art and Culture Department of the State Govt and Thangal General Sagei Committee in the afternoon today.

The newly installed statue has been reportedly constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 65 lakhs with funding from the Art and Culture Department.

The Chief Minister was the chief guest of the function presided by Deputy Chairman of Manipur State Planning Board E Kunjeshore.

Council of Ministers, MLAs and top officials of civil and police also attended the function.

The chief guest and the president also released post-cards of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and Niranjan Subedar, imprinted from the original photographs procured from London Museum by Elangbam Bishworjit of Lamyanba Foundation.

Manipur Peoples' Party (MPP) also observed Patriots' Day during a function at its office here today with former party president Dr L Chandramani as chief guest, incumbent party president Dr Nimaichand Luwang as functional president and ex-MP Thounaojam Chaoba and MLA RK Anand as guests of honour.

The chief guest led the others in offering floral tributes to Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General and other martyrs.

At the ground of Ima Kondong Lairembi of Moreh, the 118th Patriots Day observance was held under the joint aegis of Meetei Council, Moreh; Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh and AMSU Chandel District Committee.

Govt officials, leaders of various communities in Moreh, Meira Paibis and school students participated in the observance function which was commenced with the patriotic song presented by students and unfurling of the flag of Seven Salais by chief guest of the function SDC Moreh Ph Ibohal.

The president of Meetei Moreh Council, Moreh L Imobi presided over the observance function which was also attended by president Manipuri Muslim Council, Moreh Md Hussain; president of Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup and president of Muslim Women Development Society Jubeda Begum as guests of honour.

All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) also observed Patriots' Day at its head office with MLA Dr Ng Bijoy as chief guest, principal of CC Higher Secondary School Y Nonganlei Devi as guest of honour and president of AMSU headquarter Irengbam Jamesbond Mangang as functional president.

Offering of flora tributes to the photographs of Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General was the main highlight of the observance.

At the ground of Laisoi Youth Club, Thanga, the Patriots' Day was observed under the joint aegis of Habitation Education Committee, Social Action Platform and Laisoi Youth Club.

MLA of Thanga Assembly Constituency T Mangibabu and Additional District Project Officer of SSA T Prameshkumar were respectively chief guest and president of the observance function.

Apart from paying homage to the martyrs, patriotic song and recitation competition was also organised to mark the event.

Sainik School, Imphal also observed Patriots' Day along with a function at its auditorium during which the principal Group Captain Surinder Singh, the staff and the cadets paid floral tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the cause if liberation of the country from British empire.

At the occasion, vice captain of the school cadet Rizwan Malik delivered a speech on the supreme sacrifices made by the hero of Manipur Bir Tikendrajit and one of the great freedom fights Thangal General.

The proceedings culminated with the Inter House English Declamation Competition for both senior and junior categories, In the senior category, Cadet E Boris of Tagore House stood Ist position while cadet Lamtar Nasi of Shivaji House secured Ist position in the junior category.

In his address, the Principal advised the cadets to emulate the ideals of great patriots and rededicate themselves to the task of Nation building.

At the occasion of Patriots' Day observance, a recitation competition for school children was held at the community hall of Govindgram Awang Leikai under Wangoi Assembly Constituency.

Prizes were also distributed among the students who scored highest marks in class X and XII examinations. At the General Thangal Ecological Park of Mayangkang, Patriots' Day was observed under the joint aegis of district administration of Senapati, Thangal Union and ICHAM.