Fitting tributes paid to Hijam Irabot all over
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 30 2013: Along with paying befitting tributes, the 117th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot, the pioneering leader who left his mark in almost every field, was celebrated throughout the State and beyond today.

The main celebration was held under the aegis of Irabot Celebration Committee (ICC) at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.

Apart from a State Level March Past Competition organised, a rally was also taken out from Irabot Bhawan to Hapta Kangjeibung carrying a life size photograph of Irabot.

Floral tributes were also paid to the life size photograph of the pioneering leader as mark of respect to him.

Later, a march past competition was held wherein various contingents of women, youths, students and musical organizations took part at Hapta Kangjeibung.

The main observance function held at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen was attended by Moirangthem Ibohal, former leader of CPI; Ningthoujam Mangi, President of ICC and Dr M Nara, Secretary, CPI, Manipur State Council as presidium members.

N Kamson, Senior Newscaster of AIR, Imphal and Thangkhosei Haokip, President of Kuki Inpi Manipur were also present on the occasion as Special Guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nara stated that some sections of the society have wrongly interpreted Hijam Irabot as a leader of the Communist.

He is not only a leader of the Communist but of the whole State.

The CPI has been observing his Birth Anniversary every year with the motive of fulfilling the works and the dreams of Lamyanba Irabot for an egalitarian society and to bring about peaceful co-existence among the different communities in Manipur.

Ibohal observed that Irabot didn't get the chance to attend the then State Assembly although he was an elected legislator since the leaders of that time always disturbed and tormented him.

Kamson remembered Irabot as a leader who tried hard to build up good relations between the people of the hill and valley at a time when the tradition of untouchability was prevalent in the Manipuri society.

The 117th birth anniversary of Irabot was also observed jointly by Irabot Research and Commemoration Committee, Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust, All Manipur Recognised Private Schools' Welfare Association, All Manipur Rickshaw Drivers and Pullers' Welfare Association, All Manipur Intellectual Forum, All Manipur Democratic Women's Front, All Manipur Youth League, All Manipur people's Union, Students' League Manipur, People's Private Monitoring Committee and Unified People's Struggle Committee at THAU Ground, Thangmeiband.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof N Iboton, Dean of Central Agricultural University, Iroishemba, recalled that Hijam Irabot worked for the emancipation of Women in Manipuri society through promotion of education among them.

Today some of his dreams have been realised.

It is our duty to further follow his footsteps and work for the betterment of the society, he added.

A march past competition was also held as a part of the observation at THAU Ground.

To commemorate the 117th Birth Anniversary of Irabot, the Irabot Day Memorial Patriotic Recitation Competition was held at Akampat Community Hall today.

The event was organised by Torban Kshetrileikai Irabot Day Celebration Committee with LC Santosh, President of DESAM; Ak Sanaton, President of SEYO; NK Nabachandra, President of MMC and Ngaseppam Yumjao, Advisor of MEELAL as presidium members.

LC Santosh, while speaking on the occasion, stressed on the need to remember the works carried out by Hijam Irabot for bringing about a society where everyone is equal.

The present generation should also strive to fulfill the aspirations of the freedom fighter.

A leader like Hijam Irabot is the need of the hour in the present society where the difference between the rich and the poor is increasingly widened.

The day was also observed by Young Progressive Club (YPC), Takyel Kolom Leikai at its hall here today.

As a part of the observance, a Patriotic Song Competition was held wherein 50 students from different schools participated.

The competition was divided into two categories.

In the first category (from Class III to VI), M Preety; Mutum Chanchan and Taiche Roben, all from Ideal Blind School bagged the first, second and third prize respectively.

In the second category (from Class VII to X), the first, second and third prize were bagged by Mutum Libea of Patsoi Part I, Thokchom Sangeeta of Pari Imom Sindamshang and Sukham Sonika of Kindergarten Monteshori School, Takyel respectively.

The Keirao Kendra Minority Development Organisation and Kiyamgei Muslim District Auto Owners also jointly organized a social service camp in connection with the month-long observance of Irabot day which wrapped up today.

To commemorate the 117th anniversary of Jana Neta Hijam Irabot, a free OPD Consultation camp was organised by the management of Advanced Speciality Hospital & Research Institute from 7 am to 12.30 pm today at the hospital premises located at Palace Compound.

More than 100 patients availed the free OPD services related to medicine, general surgery, Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Urology, Dermatology, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Obs & Gynaecology, etc during the camp.

At Moreh, the 117th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot was observed under the joint aegis of seven organisations namely All Community Development Organization, Moreh (ACODOM); Meetei Council, Moreh (MCM); All Manipur Students'Union, Chandel District Committee; Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Moreh; Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh; Minority women Development Society, Moreh and Muslim Women Development Association, Moreh at the complex of Ima Kondong Lairembi.

Gotinlam (Lamboi)Gangte, Member 15-Moreh ADC Chandel and N.Pulindro Singh, EX-President of Meetei Council, Moreh were respectively Chief Guest and President of the function which was also attended by I.Ibobi Sigh, President of All Community Development Organization, Moreh; M.Thoiba Singh, President of Meetei Council, Moreh; Jangmang Haokip, President of Hill Tribal Council, Moreh; Md.Ahmed, Vice President of Manipuri Muslim Council, Moreh; Master Eusoof Sarla, Advisor of Tamil Sangam, Moreh; Th.Ibemhal leima, President of Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup, Moreh; Th.Jamuna Devi, President of Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Moreh; Meharani Begum, President of Minority Women Development Society, Moreh and Jubeda begum, President of Muslim women Development Association, Moreh as Guests of Honour.

At Delhi, the 117th Birth Anniversary of Comrade Irabot was celebrated under the aegis of North East Forum for International Solidarity at Arts Faculty, Delhi University.

Students, activists and intellectuals from various communities including Naga, Meetei and Kuki participated in the commemorative event. Similar commemorative events were also reported held at Bangladesh and other parts where Manipuri people settled.

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