Rich tributes paid to martyrs on Patriot's Day in State and beyond
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 13 2014 : In addition to commemoration of Patriots' Day as State function at Kangla, BT Park and Hicham Yaichampat, various political parties, schools and social organisations also observed the day across the State and beyond.

Observation of the day began in 1972 when the State had a Manipur People's Party (MPP) Government.

As in past years, Patriot's Day was observed today at the MPP office along with workers coming from different Assembly Constituencies and districts.

The gathering paid floral tributes to the patriots.

During the function presided by the President of the party ex MLA N Sovakiran Singh, former Dy CM Dr L Chandramani Singh addressed the gathering by delivering an enlightening lecture on the history of Manipur war against the British and the Patriot's Day.

Likewise, the Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee also observed Patriot's Day at its Yaiskul head office with the President of the party, MLA Th Syamkumar presiding the function.

Offering floral tributes and observance of two minute silence to mark respect to the patriots were the main highlights of the function.

Patriots Day observation at Jiribam

In the meantime, Janata Dal (United) has today pledged to safeguard territorial integrity of the State in connection during the observance of Patriots' Day 2014 at its office at Babupara, Imphal.

Moreover, the BJP Uripok Mandal observed Patriots' Day 2014 at Uripok Sorbon Thingel Community hall.

The International Meitei Forum also observed Patriot's Day 2014 at its office at Yaiskul.

The members offered floral tributes and observed one minute silence showing respect to the martyrs.

The Manipur Standard English School Kakwa also organised Patriot's Day today, said a press release adding that that the two days Science exhibition of the school was also inaugurated along with the observance of Patriot's Day.

Manipur Government observed the Patriot's Day celebration at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi this morning, reports Manipur Information Centre.

Three photographs of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were decorated at the base of the statue of Bir Tikendrajit where a large number of Manipuris from National Capital Region paid their homage to the great patriots of Manipur who fought against the mighty Britishers and sacrificed their lives for the cause of their motherland during Anglo-Manipuri War in 1891 .

The Lok Sabha Member from Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Dr Thokchom Meinya led the VVIPs and public while paying floral tributes to the great patriots.

Two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Lok Sabha Member from Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Thangso Baite, Rajya Sabha Member Haji Abdul Salam, former Deputy Chief Minister Thounaojam Chaoba, former Minister Salam Ibohal were among those dignitaries who paid floral tributes to the martyrs.

JIRIBAM: The 123rd Patriots' Day was on Wednesday observed at Jiribam at the Ancestral Heroes' Memorial Complex, Ningshingkhul Biodiversity Park, Jiribam in commemoration of the great heroes of Manipur who have martyred for the cause of the motherland, reports JNN.

At the beginning of the observance, the invitees and the dignitaries paid their homage at the statues of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General at along with guard of honour from the 7th Indian Reserve Battalion.

The function was attended by Dr Harmit Singh Pahuja, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Jiribam, the Chairman of Pari Puri Athouba Ningshing Lup S Kula Singh, the Acting Chairman of Human Rights Initiatives Y Ratan Singh, the Vice-President of International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) Ph Chingkehi, the Vice-President of All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO) Ph Devan Sharma, member of Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) L Poireiton as Chief Guest, President and Guests of honour respectively.

In his chief guest speech, Dr Harmit Singh Pahula said that many of the great heroes of Manipur sacrificed their lives fighting with the mighty British Empire for the freedom of their motherland.

He further added that there great heroes left behind footprint on the sand of times for future generation and 'if we are to follow their footprint, the peace and tranquility in the State could be maintained' .

THOUBAL: Patriot's Day observation was also held at Thoubal DC office complex.

Thoubal Zilla Parishad Adhyaksha Khundrakpam Surnalata, Deputy Commissioner T Ranjit, Additional District Magistrate Ksh Lemba and Thoubal SP K Radhashyam attended the function as chief guest, president and guests of honours respectively.

On the otherhand, under the sponsorship of State Blood Transfusion Council, District Health Society Thoubal, Nehru Yuva Kendra Thoubal, Association of Voluntary Blood Donor Manipur Thoubal Branch and Blood Bank and Transfusion Unit District Hospital Thoubal jointly organised a blood donation camp at District Hospital Thoubal in connection with the observance.

Around 77 persons donated blood at the camp.

Yairipok High School and Elite Foundation Academy, Thoubal also observed the day at their school premises.

South Eastern Kangleipak Cultural Organisation and Youths Welfare Association, Thoubal jointly observed the day at Thoubal District Table Tennis Association Infoor stadium.

Wangjing Tentha AC MLA Paonam Brojen, Khangabok AC MLA Okram Landhoni and social scientist Dr Dhanabir Laishram graced the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Meanwhile, United Manipuri Association, Assam Nagaon District Committee also observed the day at Lachitnagar community hall, Lanka town.

Shillong Manipuri Students' Union also observed Patriot's Day at Manipur (Rajbari) House.

MOREH: Patriots' Day was observed today at Moreh under the joint organisation of Meitei Council Moreh, All Community Development Organisation, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Minority Women Development Society, Muslim Women Development Society, All Manipur Students Union Chandel District Committee respectively, reports our Correspondent.

The function was started at 9 in the morning at Ima Kondong Lairembi Haraobung.

The president of the Meitei Council Moreh M Thoiba Singh, the vice-president of the All Community Development Organisation O Lukhoi Singh, the president of AMSU Chandel District Committee N Nabakumar Singh, the president of the Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup Th Ibemhal Leima, the president of the Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup Th Jamuna Devi, the president of the Muslim Women Development Association Jubeda Begam, the president of Minority Women Development Society Meharani Begam were presidium members of the Patriots' Day commemoration.

The gathering led by the presidium members paid rich floral tributes to the martyrs which was followed by the opening song presented by the students of the Eastern Shine School Moreh.

The students further presented various patriotic poems recitation.

Educationist L Kaminikumar Singh and the lecturer of Waikhom Mani Girls' College Thoubal N Jotinkumar Singh delivered lectures in connection with the observance of Patriot's Day.

In remembrance of martyrs of the Anglo-Manipuri war 1891, people across the State today observed the Patriots' Day by paying homage to the patriotic souls who laid down their lives for the cause of the State's sovereignty.

Yengkhom Leirak Development Club, Sagolband organised a programme to commemorate the Patriots' Day at Yengkhom Leirak Community Hall.

Thokchom Sumanta Meeitei, Member of Patsoi Zilla Parishad; Ingudan Nabakumar, President of YDLC; RK Gunisana Devi, Pradhan, Lamjaotongba Gram Panchayat, attended the programme as the Chief guest, President and Guest of honour respectively.

Speaking during the programme, Thokchom Sumanta asserted that people of Manipur have been commemorating the Patriot's Day annually since the Anglo-Manipuri war 1891 to respect and pay tribute to leaders like Bir Tikendajt; Thangal General who were hung to death during the freedom struggle by the Britishers.

Pukhrambam Kajao, Niranjan Subedar and Chirai Thangal were also hanged in later part of the year while Paona Brajabashi was killed during the war.

Among those who were killed included many patriotic people whose identities and names remained unknown till date, she said.

Thokchom Sumanta added that in 1954, then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru without prior notice and permission from the people of Manipur and without any approval in the Parliament, gave Kabow Valley which was a part of Manipur to Myanmar (formally known as Burma).

Apart from floral tribute, students recited patriotic poems, performed monologue in remembrance of the freedom fighters.

New Light Public School, Canchipur also observed the Patriots' Day by paying floral tribute, reciting patriotic poems based on struggles of the martyrs.

A Ibotomba, Pradhan, Langthabal Mantrikhong Naorem Leikai; T Purnachandra, Principal of National Sports' Academy; S Birachandra, Financial Advisor, PHED; N Manikanta, Secretary, Buddhist Council Manipur; N Naobi, Member, Gram Panchayat attended the programme as the Chief guest, President and Guests of honour.

Observing the Patriots' Day, Principal and students of Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalaya Khumbong paid floral tribute while students also presented patriotic songs and recited poems.

BJP Uripok Mandal also observed the Patriots' Day at Uripok Sorbon Thingel Community Hall.

The commemoration of Patriots' Day was held at Sagolband Popular Upper Primary School, Sagolband Moirang Leirak.

During the function, the teachers and students of the school have paid rich floral tributes to the martyrs of Manipur.

On this occasion, the headmistress of the School A Keilyani Devi has awarded a sum of Rs 500 each to the class toppers reading in class I to V .

Addressing the students in connection with the function, the headmistress uttered that a sense of nationalism with patriotic feeling should be instilled through learning to the young students so that they could portray Manipur in the light of their nationalism in the world.

The children should be provided necessary guidance in their respective pursuit, she further stated, adding that the young students need right parenting and right information so that they could understand the merits and demerits of the thing around them.