UMO organises 1st Nupi Lan memorial ceremony
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 09 2023:
Universal Mothers' Organisation (UMO) on Monday organised the fifth memorial ceremony of the 1st Nupi Lan (1904) at Wahengbam Leikai community hall under the theme, "Mother is the root of love, peace & harmony" .
The ceremony was graced by retired Session Judge Aribam Noutuneshwari; Moirangthem Sorojini Leima, president UMO and 1st Nupi Lan 1904 Observation Committee; YK Grace, president Thangal Womens' Union and vice president 1st Nupi Lan 1904 Observation Committee; Salam Memcha, president UMO Kakching and LM San-na, editor & president Manipur State NMC New Delhi as presidium members.
The ceremony began with the participants offering condolence and floral tributes to the brave women who fought against the British in the 1st Nupi Lan, namely Irungbam Shamujaobi, Leishangthem Kwathabi Devi from Thangmeiband, Irungbam Ningol Leimapokpam Ongbi Dhabati, Laishram Ningol Juboti from Nagamapal and Rajkumari Tharosangbi.
Speaking on the occasion, Moirangthem Sorojini stated that the second Nupi Lan is observed widely in the State with the day also being declared as holiday.
Hence, UMO has consistently organised the memorial ceremony of the 1st Nupi Lan on October 9 to ensure that it is not forgotten or subverted in the annals of history.
She shared that the 1st Nupi Lan broke out against an order by the British authorities to the Manipuri men to fetch timber from Kabaw Valley to rebuild the Britisher's bungalow that had been razed by fire.
Thus, women vendors of the Khwairamband Keithel revolted leading to the 1st Nupi Lan, she said.
Urging the womenfolk of Manipur to support the observance of the 1st Nupi Lan memorial ceremony, she called upon the experts and intellectual community to conduct more research on the topic to fill in missing gaps.
While maintaining that the identity and photos of some participants of the 1st Nupi Lan have been unearthed, she appealed to people with more information or photos to contact UMO.
In reference to the ongoing conflict, she added that the brave women who have stepped out of their homes to protect their communities and areas are the descendants of the courageous mothers who fought the British in 1st Nupi Lan.