State joins 75th Republic Day celebration
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, January 27 2024: Manipur joined the Nation in celebrating the 75th Republic Day with Governor Anu-suiya Uikey unfurling the National Flag and taking salutes from different march-past contingents at Kangla on Friday.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and senior civil and police officials also took part in the celebration.

The celebration began with the Governor inspecting the guard of honour accorded by a contingent commanded by Gaurav Dogra, an IPS probationer.

Later, Governor Anusui-ya Uikey unfurled the Tricolour amidst the playing of the National Anthem and then took salutes from 24 march-past contingents including different band contingents, commanded by Commandant of 1sts Battalion Manipur Rifles Ksh Ravikumar Singh.

State joins 75th Republic Day celebration

Moreover, 11 different cultural troupes including the mounted police and tableaus of 13 different departments also took part in the march past parade.

Officers and personnel of Manipur Police Department were decorated by the Governor with the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Gallantry, Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Investigation and President's Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service.

President's Police Medals for Distinguished Service were awarded to Dy Commandant, 6th IRB Aribam Basanta Sharma and retired SDPO Laimayum Amarnath Sharma while Sub-Inspector Ningthoujam Ibotomba Singh was rewarded with Police Medal for Gallantry.

Police Medals for Meritorious Service were presen- ted to Assistant Commandant, 7th MR Takhelmayum Gojendro, Subedar, MPTC Sunil Kumar, Jemadar, MPTC Yumnam Guneswor Singh, SDPO Bishnupur Laishram Khogen Singh, Dy SP/CID (SB) Kamei Abui Kabui, Sub-Inspector Thing-baijam Lalitkumar Singh, Sub-Inspector Yumnam Prafullo Singh, Rifleman 2nd MR Konjengbam Pratap Singh.

The Governor also presented Inspector, OC/Kasom Khullen Marchang Wungmahai and Civil Defence Instructor (Senior), Department of Relief and Disaster Management Phurailatpam Hemolata with Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Investigation and President's Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service respectively.

Meanwhile, delivering the vote of thanks at the 1st Bn Manipur Rifles Parade Ground to the participants of the march past parade, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that Bharat attained Independence on 15th August 1947. After attaining independence, Bharat gained the opportunity to bring development to the Nation and improve the standard of living of its people, he said.

He said that taking full responsibility of drafting a Constitution, the Constituent Assembly drafted the Constitution of India.

The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950 which is celebrated as the Republic Day of India, he said and further paid homage to those greats who gave Bharat its Constitution.

Stating that it is the duty of each and every Indian to show respect to the Constitution, he continued that it is under this Constitution that the citizens of the country exercise their rights and fulfil their duties to become responsible citizens.

He further appreciated and lauded the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Ministers, MLAs, officials, uniformed contingents and all others who participated in the event.

In a republic, the power is in the hands of the people, and the Government is formed by the elected representatives of the people, he added.

"Under such democratic process, we should respect one another, be secular, and not hinder others in their efforts to develop and preserve their own culture, language and traditions", he added.

Bharat, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has witnessed huge developmental changes since 2014, and has occupied a spot among the superpowers of the world in the fields of space, defence and economy, he added.

Every Manipuri has a responsibility towards building a united Bharat, he said urging the people to respect the Constitution and to exercise their rights and fulfil their responsibilities to protect the unity of Manipur and unity of India.

Expressing unhappiness over the present unwanted incidents happening in the State, N Biren also said that the present issue can be faced only when 'we stand united'. N Biren also expressed gratitude to the Central Government for conferring the Padmashri to Machihan Sasa, (Nungpi Pottery) and further congratulated the craftsman.

After the celebration at Kangla, Governor Anusuiya Uikey along with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly, Ministers and MLAs visited Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal and paid homage to the statue of freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu on her 109th birth anniversary.

Earlier, before departing for the Republic Day celebration at Kangla, Chief Minister N Biren Singh also unfurled the National Flag at his Secretariat.

Among uniform contingents, the top three positions of the march past competition were won by BSF, CRPF and Tripura State Rifles respectively.

1st MR Unit High School, Anouba Mangal Trust (Social Welfare Department) and Pari Imom contingent (Social Welfare Department) won the first, second and third position respectively in the school and other contingents category.

Among band platoons, Home Guard (Female) and 2nd Manipur Rifles were adjudged the best and the second best while the third position was shared between CRPF bandh and 1st Manipur Rifles band.

Talui Naga village dance troupe, Ukhrul, Mao cultural dance troupe, Senapati and Maring Lhousha dance troupe, Tengnoupal won the top three positions in the cultural dance troupes category.

The top three positions of the tableau competition were won by Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Department of Tourism and Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation.