Patriots' Day observed all over
Do away with perception that any demand could be met out of bloodshed: Governor
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 13 2014 : On the 123rd Patriots' Day today, rich tributes were paid to the gallant patriots of Manipur who made supreme sacrifices to protect their motherland from the colonial designs of British government.

Besides the state function organized by the State Government at Imphal, a number of voluntary organizations across the state and other Manipuri-inhabited areas of the country observed the day in commemoration of incident where Jubaraj Bir Tikendrajit Singh and Thangal General of Manipur were hanged to death at Pheidabung (present BT Park at Imphal Pologround) for allegedly waging war against the British crown on 13th August in 1891.Earlier today at 8 am, people from all walks led by Chief Minister O.Ibobi and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam paid floral tributes at the memorial tomb of Bir Tikendrajit situated at Hicham Yaicham Pat at Moirangkhom, Imphal.

Homage to the martyred patriot was marked by gun salutes and sounding of last post by a contingent of Manipur Rifles.

Patriots' Day observed all over

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industries Minister K.Govindas, Education and FCS Minister M.Okendro, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Agriculture Minister Md.Abdul Nasir, MLA N.Biren, MLA Landhoni Devi, MLA Elangbam Chand and others were present on the occasion.

Later around 8.30 am, the team of dignitaries led by Chief Minister O.Ibobi made floral offerings at the Thangal General Temple located within Palace compound, Imphal with gun salutes.

As part of the observance, Manipur Governor VK Duggal, Chief Minister O.Ibobi, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, other ministers and MLAs paid floral tributes at the historic Kangla at around 3.30 pm today before arriving at the Sahid Minar erected at BT Park at Imphal Pologround, where the main observance function of the 123rd Patriots' Day was held.

With gun salute by Manipur rifles contingent and floral tributes to the brave patriots, the state function was held at the BT Park with Governor VK Duggal and Chief Minister O.Ibobi as Chief guest and President respectively.

In his speech, VK Duggal called upon the people to avoid the perception that any demand is met out of bloodshed, while maintaining that bandhs, blockades and strikes due to small incidents always hamper the pace of development works in the state.

The chief guest, at the same time, said, 'the administration should not only be responsive, but also seen to be responsive' .

VK Duggal further appealed to the people to conserve the age-old peace, tranquility, love and fraternity which have been inherent among the people of the state for a long time.

"We all know the various troubles being faced by Manipur state for the last many years.

It is time to for us to work together to sort out them", he said, while pointing out that Manipur state deserves to be ahead of others in consideration of the talents of the people of Manipur in different fields.

In his speech, Chief Minister urged the people of the state to work towards development and progress by shedding off the communal sentiments among various groups.

He emphasized the need for reassurance towards the welfare of the state as a mark of respect to the brave forefathers of the land.

Under the aegis of Government of Manipur, Patriots' Day was also observed at the Manipur Tikendrajit House, Bir Tikendrajit Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi this morning.

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 .

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.

Protection and Preservation Committee, Manipur (PPCM) also commemorated the Patriots' Day with a function held at GM Hall here today with floral tributes to the heroes of Manipur.

Elangbam Johnson, Convener of PPCM; Lungnimba Anthangmi Thangal, Literature committee of Thangal Naga Union; and Chandra Haomei, vice-president of Zeliangrong Union, Assam, Manipur & Nagaland attended the function as presidium members, while Prof..NJoykumar, Department of History, Manipur University and Dr..HIndrakumar, Associate professor of Political science, Modern college were the resource persons.

Citing the importance of August 13 in the history of Manipur, Prof.Joykumar stated that the sacrifices made by our forefathers are worthy of emulation by the present generation.

After the defeat of Manipur in the Anglo-Manipuri war of 1891, five Manipuri patriots were hanged to death by the British.

The incident will ever be remembered in the history of the land, he added.

While admitting that one of the reasons for British conquest of Manipur was the disunity within the royal family, Prof.Joykumar said that Manipur which was protected by then brave forefathers is at present in the brink of disintegration.

In order to make a united Manipur, we need to shun communal feelings and promote love among ourselves, he added.

In his speech, Elangbam Johnson called upon the people to unitedly resolve to bring in the ideals cherished by the gallant forefathers of Manipur.

Commemorating the great sacrifices made by the Manipur patriots on August 13 in 1891, Patriotic Writers' Forum Manipur also organized a function at Hotel Christina near Imphal Pologround today with its president Sagolsem Indrakumar and Vice-president Angam Jatung Chiru as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Rakesh Naorem said the observance of August 13 reminds the people of Manipur of the relentless strength and valour of our forefathers.

Saying that only those with arms are not patriots, he told the gathering that it is time to redefine the meaning of patriotism.

As part of the observance, Research scholar Ranjita Konthoujam of Manipur University read out paper on 'patriotic elements in the poems of young poets of Manipur' while Sanjenbam Bhanumati, writer and columnist of Hueiyen Lanpao Daily acted as moderator.

Patriots' Day was also commemorated by the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morch, Manipur Pradesh at a function held at the BJP head office at Nityaipat Chuthek here.

Ex-Minister Prof.Gangmimei Kamei, President of BJPYM O.Malesh and Vice-president of BJPYM Kh.

Basanta attended the function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively in the function which began with floral offerings to the portraits of Thangal General and Bir Tikendrajit.

In connection with the observance, a painting competition on the theme of patriotism was also held in two categories (class III-V and Class VI-IX) .

RK Dhanaraj, class V student of Covenant English school; Onia Konsam, class III student of Nongpok Maheikol and L.Rohit, class V student of Don Bosco Hr.

sec school won the first, second and third positions respectively, while in another category, Wangthoi Angom (Class VII) of Eden Public school, Ksh.

Gopinath (Class IX) of Kanan Devi Memorial school and W.Malemnganba (Class VI) of Shisu Nistha Niketan stood first, second and third positions respectively.

In another observance organized by All India Youth Federation, Manipur State Council, Dr..YMohendro, former Director of College Development Authority stressed the need for critical study and research on the history of the brave forefathers of Manipur who made extra-ordinary sacrifices for their motherland.

Commemorating the incident of 13th August in 1891 in which Manipuri patriot Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged to death for allegedly waging war against the British imperialist, Tripura Manipuri Student-Youth Co-ordination committee and Tripura Manipuri Development Committee jointly organised a function at T.B.E.Association Hall in front of IGM Hospital in Agartala today.

Senior Citizen Dr.Lokendra Arambam from Imphal and Meitei elder of Agartala Nilmoni Thaunaojam attended the function as chief guest and guest of honour, according to a statement by Dhiren Kabrabam, Chairman of TMSYCCO and Secretary of TMDC, Agartala.

Subhash Dev, Chairman of Tripura SC, ST, OBC, Minority Development Council; All Manipur Student Union; Kh.

Ratan, Chief Advisor of AMSU; James Bond Mangaang, Ex-President of AMSU; Dr.Bimal Reang, Advisor of Bru National Organisation, Tripura; Asit Debbarma, Asst.

Secretary of Tripura Tribal Land Movement; Ananta Orang , Secretary of Jharkhand Samaj; Rizia Khatun, President of Minority Muslim and T.Joganati Datta, Manipuri woman Social Worker took the dais as Presidium members.

Giving the keynote speech, Dhiren Kabrabam expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of acknowledgement of the supreme sacrifices of Manipuri heroes who gallantly fought against the imperial policy of British government.

'Such heroes of Manipur must find their place in the history of the country', he added.

Patriots' Day was also observed in Jiribam with a huge function held at the Ancestral Heroes' Memorial Complex, Ningshingkhul Biodiversity park here today.

The observance began with the invitees and the dignitaries paying homage to the statues of Paona Brajabasi, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General along with the guard of honour from 7th Indian Reserve battalion (IRB).

The function was graced by Dr.Harmit Singh Pahuja, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam and S.Kula Singh, Chairman of Pari Puri Athouba Ningshing Lup, Jiribam as chief guest and president respectively, while Y.Ratan Singh, Acting Chairman of Human Right Initiatives (HRI); Ph.

Chingkhei, Vice- President of International, peace and social Advancement (IPSA); Ph.

Devan, Vice- President of All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) and L.Poireiton, Ex member of Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) attended the observance as guests of honour.

In his speech, Chief guest Dr.Harmit Singh Pahuja said that many of the great heroes of Manipur sacrificed their lives fighting against the might of British Empire for the freedom of their motherland.

Maintaining that these great heroes left behind footprints for this generation, Dr.Harmit said, 'if we are able to follow the footprint of them at least, we may also be able to maintain peace and tranquillity in our motherland' .

The border town of Moreh in Chandel district also joined the observance of Patriots' Day with a function organised by 7 different organisations based in Moreh today.

The observance organised jointly by Meetei Council Moreh, All Community Development Organization Moreh, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup Moreh, Kha-nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup Moreh, Minority Women Development Society Moreh, Muslim Women Development Association Moreh and Chandel District Committee of All Manipur Student's Union was held at Ema Kondong Lairembi Haraobung, Moreh with floral tributes to the portraits of gallant patriots of Manipur.

In the function, M.Thoiba Singh, president of Meetei Council Moreh; O.Lukhoi Singh, Vice President of All Community Development Organization Moreh; N.Nabakumar Singh, President of All Manipur Students' Union Chandel District; Th.Ibemhal Leima, President of Kha-nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup Moreh; Th.Jamuna Devi, President of Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup Moreh; Jubeda Begam, President of Muslim Women Development Association Moreh and Meharani Begum, President of Minority Women Development Society Moreh attended as Presidium members.

The programme which began with an opening song presented by students of Eastern Shine School Moreh was marked by a recitation competition on patriotic theme.

Educationist Dr..LKaminikumar Singh and N.Jotin Kumar Singh of Waikhom Mani Girl college Thoubal delivered speeches as resource persons of the function.

All Manipur recognized private school welfare association observed the day with a function at Lamyanba Sanglen at Palace compound here today with Prof..LSadananda, General Secy.

of Senior Citizens for Society and Ph.

Landhoni, president of All Manipur recognized private school welfare association as chief guest and president.

Lilong Haoreibi College Students' union, Manipur State Pensioners Union, Lions Club of Imphal Mayai Lambi, Manipur People's Party, Manipur Pradesh Trinamool Congress Committee, Janata Dal United, Manipur, International Meeteis Forum, DM College Teacher Education, All Manipur Gurkha Students Union, Jawahar Navodaya Bidyalaya Khumbong, Students League Manipur and a host of other organizations observed the Patriots' day at different places today.

Organised by Manipur State Shumang Lila Council, the Shumang Lila entitled "Mareibak Ningba Koirengsana" was displayed at Iboyaima Sanglen at palace compound today.

The function was attended by L.Jayantakumar, Ex-Minister, Ph.

Gunachandra, Presdent of Shumang Lila council and S.Manaoton, Founder of Zenith Academy as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.