Imphal, August 13 (NNN): Governor of Manipur Gurbachan Jagat and chief minister O Ibobi Singh led the state in paying tributes to Thangal General and Bir Tikendrakit on the 119th Patriots’ Day at Bir Tikendrajit Park here today. August 13 is considered a red-letter day in the history of Manipur as on this fateful day in 1891 the prince of Manipur Bir Tikendrajit and General Thangal were hanged at Pheidapung in Imphal in broad daylight by the British before thousands of Manipuris for revolting against them.
The sacrifice rendered by Tikendrajit inspired India’s freedom movement subsequently. Years later, the government of free India, with suggestion from Arun Chandra Guha, included the portrait of Bir Tikendrajit in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion at Imphal today, the governor expressed his happiness for the opportunity in joining the state in paying homage and tribute to the brave sons of Manipur, who made supreme sacrifices on the gallows for the cause of their motherland.
The day reminds us of the heroic acts of Manipuris in different war fronts of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 that showed to the world that Manipuris had the sacrificing and unflinching courage to challenge the then mighty British Empire for the sake of their motherland, he said.
While celebrating the day, the present generation, along with paying our homage and tribute to the heroic forefathers of Manipur, should renew our pledge to work with dedication for the cause of our motherland, the governor added. “Manipur today is passing through a very difficult phase”, he said, “…calling of strikes and bandhs have become a frequent phenomenon. The ultimate sufferers of all these are the common people.”
Talking about the link between peace and development, Mr Jagat held out that Manipur should accelerate development for prosperity and welfare, and added that as a part of India’s citizen it is our bounden duty to make the country strong and prosperous.
The governor appealed to all the communities of Manipur to shun violence and hatred among themselves and bring about an atmosphere of love and mutual understanding so that Manipur can move forward on par with other sister-States which have already gone ahead.
Delivering his presidential speech, chief minister O Ibobi Singh said that the patriotism of Tikendrajit, Thangal General and others would serve as a guiding light to the people of the state. The chief minister also appealed to the people to stand united against the perpetrators of disunity in the state and move towards peace and prosperity.
The sacrifice rendered by Tikendrajit inspired India’s freedom movement subsequently. Years later, the government of free India, with suggestion from Arun Chandra Guha, included the portrait of Bir Tikendrajit in the National Portrait Gallery inside the House of the People in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion at Imphal today, the governor expressed his happiness for the opportunity in joining the state in paying homage and tribute to the brave sons of Manipur, who made supreme sacrifices on the gallows for the cause of their motherland.
The day reminds us of the heroic acts of Manipuris in different war fronts of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 that showed to the world that Manipuris had the sacrificing and unflinching courage to challenge the then mighty British Empire for the sake of their motherland, he said.
While celebrating the day, the present generation, along with paying our homage and tribute to the heroic forefathers of Manipur, should renew our pledge to work with dedication for the cause of our motherland, the governor added. “Manipur today is passing through a very difficult phase”, he said, “…calling of strikes and bandhs have become a frequent phenomenon. The ultimate sufferers of all these are the common people.”
Talking about the link between peace and development, Mr Jagat held out that Manipur should accelerate development for prosperity and welfare, and added that as a part of India’s citizen it is our bounden duty to make the country strong and prosperous.
The governor appealed to all the communities of Manipur to shun violence and hatred among themselves and bring about an atmosphere of love and mutual understanding so that Manipur can move forward on par with other sister-States which have already gone ahead.
Delivering his presidential speech, chief minister O Ibobi Singh said that the patriotism of Tikendrajit, Thangal General and others would serve as a guiding light to the people of the state. The chief minister also appealed to the people to stand united against the perpetrators of disunity in the state and move towards peace and prosperity.
