Rich tributes paid to brave mothers on 85th Nupi Lan Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 12 2024:
People across the State on Thursday paid rich tributes to the brave Manipuri women who had fought against the British in two 'Nupi Lans' (women's uprising) in 1904 and 1939 .
The first 'Nupi Lan' had broken out against a British administrative order that mandated using men as forced labourers, while the second Nupi Lan erupted on December 12, 1939 when a large number of women revolted against the artificial scarcity of rice and its export outside Manipur.
Today, All Manipur Nupi Marup (AMNM) observed the 85th Nupi Lan Memorial Day at Irawat Bhawan, Roopmahal Tang to commemorate the valiant Manipuri women who fought against the then mighty Britishers.
It was attended by Manipur State Council, Communist Party of India state secretary, L Thoiren; AMNM president, M Sakhi and vice president, Th Puinabati Devi as presidium members.
Delivering the keynote address, AMNM secretary L Sumatibala said that Nupi Lan Memorial Day is observed every year to commemorate the two historic movements waged by women of Manipur against mass exploitation and artificial famine triggered by the British.
Praising the courage and spirit shown by the women who valiantly fought against the British forces in the two Nupi Lans of 1904 and 1939, she appealed to the people to follow the footsteps of the brave mothers and fight unitedly for the welfare of the State.
She also denounced the Government's handling of the 18 months long conflict and reimposition of Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 in the jurisdiction of six police stations in the State.
Furthermore, Sumatibala expressed concern over the inability of the Government of India and Manipur to protect the fives of the children and women in Manipur, despite heavy security deployment and militarization in the State since May 3, 2023.Road Side Vendors Welfare Association Manipur, Khwairamband Keithel also observed Nupi Lan Memorial Day at Ima Market Temporary Market.
Offering of floral tributes to the Manipuri women who gave their lives in the two Nupi Lan and presentation of simple gifts to elderly women working as street vendors were the main highlights of the event.
At the event, Road Side Vendors Welfare Association Manipur, Khwairamband Keithel president Khsetri Tama said that the people have been suffering due to the prolonged conflict which has been going on in the State for more than 18 months.
She appealed to the Government to take concrete steps to end the conflict and restore peace & normalcy in Manipur at the earliest.
Similarly, Writer Union Manipur also observed Nupi Lan Memorial Day at Sabal Leikai Youth Development Association ground in Khergao Sabal Leikai.
It was attended by Dr Syed Ahmad, Associate Professor, DM University; social worker SM Sheikh; Islam Makakcha, advisor UMPC; Kheirum Bibi; Md Qutubuddin and Najir Raja of Writer Union as presidium members.
As part of the event, a memorial stone of Nupi Lan activist Ima Sara Bibi was also unveiled.
Joint Action Co-ordination Committee (JACC), Lairikyengbam Leikai in collaboration with Aurora Club & Library and Athoibi VLF also observed the 85th Nupi Lan Memorial Day at Aurora Club community Hall.
During the event, Meira Paibis of Kairang, Laipham Khunou and Lairikyengbam Leikai along with youths of the area offered floral tributes to the brave 'Imas' who fought against the British colonial rule.
The gathering also paid tribute to the 'Imas' who gave their lives in the present conflict.
Meitei Students JNU also observed Nupi Lan Memorial Day at the Convention Centre of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi.
As part of the observation, a panel discussion was conducted on the theme, "The Relevance of Nupi Lan in Contemporary Manipur".
Dr Haripriya Soibam and Dr Gitarani Leishangthem were the panellist of the discussion which was chaired by Prof Hijam Komol Singh.
Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam also attended the event.
Nupi Lan Memorial Day was also celebrated today by All Manipur Arts & Culture Students Union (AMACSU), Women Welfare Association Mayang Imphal Anilongbi Meira Paibi and Pangal TEM Manipur.
Meanwhile, in line with the observation of Nupi Lan Memorial Day, Leima Chanu Nawa Tengbang Lup and Sangai Trust Foundation today jointly organised a Free Health Camp at Singjamei Supermarket.
Dr Naorem Vandana Devi, Gynaecologist; Dr Alangbam Nandini, Paediatrician and members of Leima Chanu Nawa Tengbang Lup participated in the camp which was conducted under the supervision of Dr S Bhagyabati Devi, former HOD, Medicine, RIMS, Imphal and founder president of Leima Chanu Nawa Tengbang Lup.
Representatives of pharmaceutical companies such as Novamed, Lupin, Jubilant, Wockhardt and Alkem also took part in the camp.
Various services including HbAlc test, blood sugar detection, Lipid profile, Uric acid test, blood pressure detection and free medicines were provided to the people during the camp.
Life Savers Manipur, State Level Nupi Lan Ningshing Lamjel Organising Committee, HDFC Bank, Sayol Foundation, Manipur State Scouts Union and Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Imphal West also jointly organised a One Day Voluntary Blood Donation Camp at Singjamei Supermarket.
The camp was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Transfusion Medicine, RIMS, Imphal.
Altogether, 53 volunteers including 42 male and 11 female donated their blood during the camp.
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