Remembering departed loved ones with annual offering
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 09 2014: People belonging to Meetei community across Manipur and beyond remembered their departed loved ones on the occasion of Langban Heitha-Leitha or Heikat-Leikat Tamba Thouram today.

At the State level, the annual ritual of offering seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers to the departed souls was performed by titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba on behalf of all the people at Sana Konung here.

Members of Royal Council, head priests, priestesses, other dignitaries and general public were also present on the occasion hosted by Uttra Shanglen, Sana Konung.

At Khongjom War Memorial complex located atop Kheba hillock in Thoubal district, the event was organised under the aegis of Khongjom War Memorial Trust as 21st Khongjom Tarpan ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, former minister Moirangthem Hemanta, who is also the president of Khongjom War Memorial Trust, announced that the longest ever sword to be named "Status of Brave" will be put up at Khongjom war memorial complex.

The sword will be dedicated to the gallant martyrs who sacrificed their lives while fighting with the mighty British in the 1891 Anglo-Manipur war.

Hemanta informed the gathering that the Trust had submitted a proposal to the state government to construct the 150-feet long memorial sword at the cost of Rs.4 crore.

Now the state Government has expressed desire for construction of the sword by minimising the size.

However, the Trust has flatly rejected the proposal for shortening of the proposed memorial sword.

As long as there is Khongjom War Memorial Trust, the state Government cannot do whatever it likes, said Hemanta while iterating that the government must consult with the Trust in taking up any development activity in the complex.

Participating in the ceremony, former union minister Thaounaojam Chaoba who is the president of BJP Manipur State said it has been 123 years since the Anglo-Manipur war happened in 1891 .

While lauding the Trust for organising such a memorial service for the last 21 years, Th.Chaoba assured the people that a proposal for the longest memorial sword would also be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Iterating that Prime Minister takes the issues of Manipur in the north east seriously, BJP state President said that prime minister would be requested to renovate Khongjom River as big water body to facilitate people while offering Tarpan.

The prime minister will also be requested to establish a Film Institute in Manipur state, Chaoba assured.

Many people coming from various places of the state paid tributes to the Manipuri martyrs at Khongjom River, along with observance of one minute silence as a mark of respect to the great souls.

Among others, the programme was participated by Vice President of BJP Manipur Pradesh Th.Jadumani Singh, Advisor of Khongjom War Memorial Trust Manibabu Likmabam, BJP National members Yanglep Haokip and Rameshwor Singh.

In remembrance of the 18 people who sacrificed their lives for the cause of protecting the territorial integrity of Manipur, United Committee Manipur (UCM) also observed Langban Heitha-Leitha Thouram at the Great June Uprising Memorial Complex, Kekrupat here today.

On the other hand, along with holding the annual Langban Meepham, Kangla Facebook group also organised Langban Chara Tamba event at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here.

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