Floral tributes paid to Japan war memorial
Memorial in dilapidated condition; Govt should renovate it: Gouramohon
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 20 2015 : Founder secretary of the Japan War Memorial Old Monument Tomb Red Hill Taorem Gouramohon paid floral tributes and offered ambrosia to the slain Japanese army at the Japan War Memorial complex at Maibam Lokpa Hillock in Bishnupur district on Wednesday.

He said that the Japan War Memorial was constructed in 1964 with donations from the members of public.

The Japanese army reached Manipur on May 20,1944 and in memory of this event every year on May 20 this function of offering flower and ambrosia is held.

This year also the function was observed in a befitting manner.

The function is held in a very simple way without extravaganza.

This is just to show respect to the departed souls.

School children offering floral tribute at the Japan WWII memorial, Maibam Lokpa Ching

Before the construction of the memorial the annual function was started on an earthen mound there.

However it was constructed in 1964.Since there has been no major repairing work except for minor ones the memorial is in a dilapidated condition.

Because of neglect gravels and rocks are strewn in the compound.

The government and noble minded persons could renovate the memorial, he said.

A Japanese, Makino,who was a teacher of Japanese language in Shanti Niketan had come to Imphal several times to take initiatives for the renovation works.

He had inscribed the Japanese words on the walls of the memorial complex.

Though Makino is no more several Japanese used to come to offer floral tributes to the memory of the soldiers who had laid down their lives.

Some other tourists also come there every now and then.

One Japanese canon which was found from the Imphal river is now preserved on the campus.

His life long dream is to go to Japan before his death; he is now 84 years of age.

On Wednesday several students had come there and Gouramohon narrated to them the riveting stories about the Japan war fought in Manipur.