Irabot fondly remembered : HL Scribes Hemantakumar, Ratneshwori awarded
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 30 2014 : The 118th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot was widely celebrated today across the state as well as at Manipuri inhabited areas outside the state including Bangladesh.

Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust, Imphal commemorated the Day at the auditorium of Manipur College here today with Dr T Meinya, MP Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and H Dilipkumar, President of Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust as Chief Guest and President respectively.

Floral tributes were paid to the statue of Irabot erected at Pishum Oinam Leikai which is the birthplace of the late leader.

A march past paying salute to the statue of the leader was also paraded by various contingents.

As part of the celebration held under the theme 'Work for Motherland', Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust presented cash rewards to various personalities including journalists, students and teachers.

The Best Sports Columnist Award was presented to Ratneshwori Goshwami of Hueiyen Lanpao Daily for her influential articles on sports, while Laishram Kumar, editor of Ereibak received the Best Journalist Award for this year.

Maisnam Shivdutta Luwang, editor of Pandam was honored with HIM National Editor Award.

118th Birth Anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot

Ph Landhoni, president of All Manipur Recognized Private School Welfare Association; Kh Yaiskul, General Manager of Manipur Rural Bank; N Tomba, chief advisor of Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust and Ng Nongyai, legal advisor of Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust were also present at the function as Guests of Honor.

The 118th Anniversary of the birth of Hijam Irabot was also celebrated at the Community Hall of Tekcham Mayai Leikai in Thoubal District under the aegis of Irabot Celebration Committee, Tekcham.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who graced the function held under the theme '118th Birth Anniversary of public leader Irabot', hailed Irabot as a leader who believed in dignity of life.

Asserting that Irabot led sustained stirs to assert rights of the common people, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam emphasised the importance of understanding the thoughts of Irabot and urged the youth to emulate his ideals.

During the event, Gaikhangam awarded Rs 50,000 to body builder Thingbaijam Sarita in felicitation of her securing the fourth position in the 31st Asian Women Body Building Championship at Macau.

MLA P Brojen, Thoubal Zilla Parisahad member S Budhi and Wangjing Tentha Block Congress Committee president N Naran Singh were also present on the occasion.

Joining the celebration of the 118th birth anniversary of the leader, the Irabot Celebration Committee, Manipur organized a state level function at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.

Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao (Manipuri Edition) Hemantakumar Ningomba was honoured with Thiyam Meghachandra Journalist's Award-2014, while noted litterateur Nongthombam Kunjamohan was conferred the Irabot Award posthumously during the occasion.

Ratneshwori Goshwami of Hueiyen Lanpao with 'Best Sports Columnist Award'

A large number of people including students from different parts of the state paid floral tributes to Hijam Irabot's statue during the celebration.

A total of 52 contingents from different schools and band parties took part in the march past competition held as part of the celebration.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary of CPI Manipur State Dr M Nara said that Hijam Irabot was not just a communist leader, but he was a true leader of all people.

The month of September is very significant for the people of Manipur as it is the month for both birth and death anniversaries of Jananeta Irabot.

The celebration of Irabot Day would help instill his great ideologies in the minds of people, he reiterated.

He further stated that Irabot was a pioneer in so many different fields - politics, art, culture, sports, journalism, literature, social reformation etc.

His works and contributions to the society are immense.

He was also a leader of other fellow northeastern people, Dr Nara noted.

Chairman of Irabot Celebration Committee N Mangi said that the people of Manipur should pledge on Irabot day to safeguard the rights of the indigenous people, save Irom Chanu Sharmila's life by repealing AFSPA, promote communal harmony and implement Inner Liner Permit System in the State.

He further said that the Indian Government must restore peace in Nagaland and not harm Manipur's territorial integrity by the ongoing peace talks with NSCN-IM.

The birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot was also celebrated by Patriotic Writers' Forum, Manipur at its office at New Checkon here.

Speaking on the occasion, President of Patriotic Writers' Forum Prof Jodhachandra Sanasam said that Irabot was a multi-faceted person who had great patriotism and concern for his fellow people.

The great works and contributions made by Jananeta Irabot should be known by the present generation.

A poetic convention was also organized by the Forum as part of the Irabot Day celebration.

Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti also celebrated the 118th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot at Dave Literature Hall, DM College Campus here.

The recipients of Sahitya Akademi Award-2013 and Manipur State Award for Literature-2013 namely Dr Soibam Ibocha, Raghu Leishangthem and Birendrajit Naorem were also felicitated during the occasion.

A debating and quiz competitions were also organized by Dhanamanjuri Community College, DM College of Science at its premises here as part of the Irabot Day celebration.

In Manipur, the Day was commemorated by Jananeta Hijam Irabot Birthday Celebration Committee at a function held at Manipur Dramatic Union (MDU) Hall, Yaiskul Police Lane here today.

Dr Ng Bijoy, MLA Khurai Constituency who is also the Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board and Meitram Shamu, chairman of Jananeta Hijam Irabot Birthday Celebration Committee graced the occasion as Chief Guest and President respectively, while Manihar Goswami, working president of JD (S) Manipur State Unit; Ksh Ibohal Singh, president of MDU; Kh Gyaneswor, secretary of AIFB Manipur; N Ratan, secretary of RSP Manipur; S Samungou Singh, core committee member of LSA; S Salam, secretary of CPI (M) and L Kunjo, member of AIKC & veteran peasant leader attended as Guests of Honor.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bijoy stated that Irabot was a dedicated leader who had fought against suppression till the end of his life as he believed in equality irrespective of one's status.

He was also a social reformer and economist who had wanted to uplift the society, Bijoy added.

The MLA asserted that Irabot during his lifetime had tried to empower farmers of the State and also worked tirelessly to make the State self sufficient with the belief that political independence would come only after there was economic independence.

Maintaining that the late leader was referred to as teacher of the teachers who always enlightened students by giving valuable knowledge, he said that Irabot also took active part in social service and drama and also shown keen interest in literature of the State.

Lamyanba Irabot Ningshing Thouram Observation Committee (LINTOC) also remembered the Anniversary Day at Ema Kondongnganbi Shanglen, Thangmeiband with Joy Nongmaithem, convener of LINTOC; RK Rishikanta, co-convener of LINTOC and S Dilip, co-convener of LINTOC attending as Presidium Members.

Attending as Resource Persons at the occasion, Prof W Nabakumar, Department of Anthropology, Manipur University; Dr Aheibam Kripmala, Assistant Professor of MB College; Dr Homen Thangjam and Dr Priyadarsini, Associate Professor of Damdei Christian College spoke on the life history of Hijam Irabot.

The Day was also commemorated at Vanubil in Bangladesh under the aegis of Integrated Manipuri Association (IMA), Bangladesh.

During the programme held at Irabot Complex at Vanubil with participation of Manipuris settled in Bangladesh, people paid floral tributes at Irabot Memorial statue at 10 am today.

According to an emailed statement of Integrated Manipuri Association, Bangladesh, noted writer AK Seram, President of Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad and Lyricist of AIR, Sylhet Anayet Hasan Manik attended the celebration as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour.

During the discussion that followed, Social activist Yumnam Piba who presided over the function narrated the moments of his association with Irabot at Vanubil in Bangladesh, and he shared a nostalgic moment by singing the song "Thangol adu meiya thouna Thang-u" .

Jiribam Sub-Division also joined the rest of the state in celebrating the 118th Birth Anniversary of Hijam Irabot with a function held at the Auditorium of PWD Guest House, Jiribam.

Organised by Jana Neta Irabot Memorial Trust (JIMET) and Civil Society Organisation Jiribam, the celebration function was graced by Dr.Harmit Singh Pahuja, MCS Additional Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam; O.Mangi Meetei, President, Jana Neta Irabot Memorial Trust (JIMET) and S.Tonubabu Singh, President, Senior Citizen, Jiribam as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

Earlier in the morning, people paid floral tributes to the statue of Jana Neta Hijam Irabot before staging a march past parade by the students of schools and colleges of Jiribam sub-division.

Besides release of a Souvenir, cultural programmes performed by troops of various communities marked the celebration.

During the occasion, resource person Th.Ketuki Devi, ZEO, Jiribam delivered speech on the topic "Contributions of Irabot towards the women community" while Th.Sarat Kumar Singh, Advisor of All Jiribam Working Journalists' Union (AJWJU) talked on "Impact of Irabot on Manipuri society". In connection with the celebration, annual "Man of Year 2014" award of JIMET was presented to Jotis Samrat Shri Dr.A Gouramani Sharma of Chingdong Leikai (Patchao).

Later, prizes were also distributed to the winners of March past competitions.

The North-East Forum for International Solidarity also commemorated the 118th Birth Anniversary of the Lamyanba Irabot at function held at the History Department of Delhi University, said a statement of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS).

Students, Activists and Intellectuals from various communities such as Naga, Meetei, Kuki and Bodo participated in the programme marked by offering of floral tributes and rendering of a song written by Comrade Irabot.

The gathering stressed the need to reclaim the revolutionary legacy of Comrade Irabot from sectarian organizations and emphasized his views on International Solidarity for which he worked throughout his life.

The 118th Birth Anniversary of Hijam Irabot was also observed jointly by Youth Progressive Union Langthabal and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa Kendra Clubs Coordinating Committee at Langthabal Lup Awang Leikai Community Hall.

Chaokhat Thourang Kanglup and Apunba Nupi Lup, Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai also observed the 118th Birth Anniversary of Hijam Irabot marked by offering of floral tributes to photo of the late leader.

Meanwhile, 7 different organisations in Moreh celebrated the birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot at Kondon Leirembi Haraobung at Moreh.

During the function jointly organized by All Community Development Organisation, AMSU Chandel District Committee, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat lamjing Lup Moreh, Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup Moreh, Moniroty Women Development Society and Muslim Women development Association, DC Chandel Robert Kshetrimayum was the chief guest, while ADC Member lamboi Gangte and MCM President M Thoiba attended as president and guest of honour.