Imphal, January 14 2010: Along with paying homage to the departed drivers and felicitating infirm and elderly drivers, the 21st Drivers' Day was observed all over the State today.

At Sinam Shyama Devi Town Hall, Chingmeirong Maning Leikai, the observance function was held under the aegis of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers' and Motor Workers' Union.

The event was attended by MLA N Mangi as chief guest and Superintendent of Police, Imphal East District Th Radheshyam as guest of honour.

Chairman of ICM Kh Borekeshore; secretary of All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur L Sotinkumar; Advisor of Surface Transport Eco & Environment Society, Kohima, Nagaland Tito Angami; Kajol of Petroleum Land Transport Workers' Federation of India, Dimapur, Nagaland and Kapani of Senapati District Drivers' Union were also present at the occasion as special invitees.

Delivering the key note address, former president of All Manipur Road Transport and Motor Workers' Union B Nabachandra Sharma noted that Manipur is a landlocked State which depends on road transport and the drivers have been dedicating their lives to the service of the people in ferrying passengers and goods on the roads of the State against all odds.

In the process of rendering their services, the drivers have to endure deplorable condition of the roads, undue harassment from police and armed persons apart from the danger in passing through the neighbouring States.

Inspite of all these difficulties, the drivers are being looked down and neglected by the Society.

It was against such injustices that around 1000 drivers launched an agitation for one week starting from January 14, 1990 at Koirengei Air Field.

In commemoration of that incident, as well as to uphold the dignity of the drivers, January 14 is being observed every year as Drivers' Day, he explained.

The 21st Drivers' Day was also observed under the auspices of All Manipur Petroleum Tankers Drivers' Union at Sangakpham Bazar today.

The observance recalled the setting on fire oil tankers by armed persons at Chakumei in 1998 and at a spot in between Mao and Tadubi in December 2000 as well as incident of pushing down eight oil tankers into a gorge at Lairou Chingol in Senapati district and setting on fire another oil tanker on January 23, 2001 .

Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association also observed the 21st Drivers' Day at its MG Avenue office today.

On the other hand, along with the 14th annual meeting of the Imphal-Ukhrul Road Drivers' Union, the 21st Drivers' Day was also observed at the Sabungkhok residence of Union secretary Thangjam Dhiren today.

Union president Birmangol Singh presided over the function which was also attended by an elderly member of the village Thangjam Babu Singh as chief guest.

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