Many observe Irawat's birth anniversary, send messages to people
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 30 2026: The 130th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irawat was organised by different civil organisations across the State.

While the birth anniversary was observed widely, many civil bodies greeted people on the occasion with renewed calls for building unity and protecting the State's integrity.

A month-long celebration of the birth anniversary, organised under the aegis of the Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) concluded at the Lamyanba Shanglen at Palace Compound.

PPCM convenor Oinam Premjit, Lamyanba Irawat Ningshing Thouram Observation Committee convenor Yurembam Tiken and several others attended the event, which also witnessed a State level patriotic song competition.

The Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL) Manipur observed the day at its office at Imphal.

In a separate statement it released, the KKL stressed the need to trace the footsteps of Lamyanba Irawat, and stated that Manipur needs more leaders like him to lead the people and safeguard Manipur's integrity.

It also informed that the organisation is filing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court to secure and open the State's lifelines (highways) which are often shut by bandh and blockades.

The Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee, honouring Irawat, said the leader was, in the truest sense, a renaissance man of Manipur.

Irawat was a pioneering sportsperson, a gifted theatre artist, a fearless journalist, a visionary social and cultural reformer, a committed democrat, a socialist, a soulful singer, and above all, a revolutionary who stood unyielding against the Indian colonial regime in Manipur, said the DMCC .

Urging people to draw inspiration from the "greatest son of Manipur", DMCC stressed that the people must unite and face all threats facing Manipur to protect it and safeguard its integrity.

"His legacy must not remain confined to garlands and speeches; it must become the living creed of every Manipuri.

We honour Hijam Irawat not by mere remembrance, but by resistance.

We honour him by refusing to remain silent while the Union Government's policies destroy Manipur.

We honour him by standing against every external agency that seeks to oppress us," said the DMCC .

Roadside Vendors Welfare Association observed the day at the Khwairamband Ima Keithel today.

Women vendors paid floral tributes to Irawat to mark the event.

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