Lessons to be learnt from 7 Yrs Devastation stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 09 2011: A commemorative function of the Seven Years Devastation was observed on the death anniversary of king Gambhir Singh at Manipur Press Club here today under the aegis of UPF.

Giving the keynote address of the function, UPF general secretary O Bikramjit said that analysis and re-analysis of the events surrounding the tumultuous period of Seven Years Devastation (1819-1826) and how Manipur succeeded in regaining independence would go a long way in nurturing batches after batches of patriotic generations.

Recalling the exploits of king Gambhir Singh who successfully drove out the Burmese forces from Manipur with the help of the British, Bikramjit said that the UPF has been observing January 9, the death anniversary of Gambhir Singh, as Reconsolidation Day in recognition of the king's heroic effort to re-build the Manipuri Nation after the Seven Years Devastation.

After the departure of the British, an elected Government was established in Manipur in 1948 .

Dignitaries on the dais at the 7 Yrs devastation function

But the new republic was cut short as Manipur merged with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949 .

After this, Kabow Valley was gifted away to Myanmar by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shortly after, Manipur witnessed emergence of national liberation movement.

He highlighted the need to nurture batches after batches of patriotic people in order to avert recurrence of Seven Years Devastation.

The commemorative function was graced by Prof N Joykumar of Manipur University as chief guest and UPF president YK Dhiren as functional president.

Zeliangrong Union president Amu Kamei, Islamic Cultural Research Forum Manipur general secretary SM Sheikh, former president of UPF Kh Ratan and Th Mangi were guests of honour of the function.Prof Joykumar underlined the significance of January 9, 1934. It was on this date that king Gambhir Singh breathed his last and Kabow Valley was transferred to Burma.

Recalling the achievements of Gambhir Singh as a ruler, Prof Joykumar said that Manipur's territorial boundary was expanded during his rule.

His reign also witnessed significant progress socially, politically and economically.

Observing that the people of Manipur are living in a state of servitude, Prof Joykumar asserted that it is imperative to foster unity amongst the people in order to throw away such humiliating life.

Different community and civil society leaders also spoke on the occasion.

UCM president Y Dilip appealed to all people of Manipur to work in the common interest of Manipur rather than working on parochial, ethnic lines.