IT News
Imphal, Jan 27:
Governor of Manipur Shri La. Ganesan led the people to pay tribute to Freedom Fighter Rani Gaidinliu on her 107th Birth Anniversary yesterday.
In the main function held at Rani Gaidinliu Park at Mantripukhri in Imphal, Governor laid wreath to the statue of Rani Gaidinliu and paid floral tribute to the freedom fighter. Later, talking to the members of Kabui Mother’s Association (KAMA), Shri La. Ganesan said, he has come to the Park not only as Governor of Manipur but also as a devotee of Rani Gaidinliu. He said, Rani Gaidinliu fought against the mighty British rule not only for Manipur but also for the nation as a whole. She had been an inspiration to many Indians who fought for independence during the British rule, he added. Governor also appealed to follow the footprints of Rani Gaidinliu and also to nurture the rich cultural values. He also assured to extend all possible help for the development of the Park too.
It may be recalled that Rani Gaidinliu Park was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 16th March, 2018.
On the other hand, the Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) comprised of Zeliangrong Baudi, Zeliangrong Youth Front and Zeliangrong Students Union organized the 107th Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India at Sangaiprou Village Community Hall, Imphal, Manipur with Titus Kamei, Vice President, Zeliangrong Baudi (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Poupoklung Kamei, President, Zeliangrong Baudi, Manipur State Unit, M. Lunglailung, President Zeliangrong Youth Front (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland), Kadilin Gangmei, former Chairman, Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur, Ashinpou Gangmei, former Chairman, Committee for Alternative Arrangement and former Gen. Secretary, UNC, Irabot Gonmei, General Secretary, All Zeliangrong Arts and Cultural Organisation as the presidium members. The observance programme was attended by village elders, Women’s Leaders, various Civil Society Organisations Leaders, Youths and Students Leaders, former Zeliangrong organisations’ leaders and well wishers.
Ashinpou Gangmei, elaborated in length about the life and struggle of Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India and reminded the gathering of late Proff. Gangmumei Kamei on “Rani Maa” which stated as “Her life was her mission” and also how former Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru met her and gave her the title “Rani”. Rani Maa spent her life in jail for fourteen years in different jails. She struggled for Independence India as well as to secure the future of Zeliangrong people post India’s Independence. She was honoured with different prestigious awards as Tamrapatra in 1972, Padma Bhusan in 1982, Swami Vivekananda Puriskar in 1987 and Birsa Munda (Posthumously) in 1996. The Govt of India also honoured her with commemorative coins, postal stamps, Coast Guard Patrol vessels, Stree Shakti Puriskar award etc in recognition of her selfless service and contribution towards the Freedom movement. Her movement spreaded across width and breadth particularly in Zeliangrong territories of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. She was born at Luangkao village in Manipur but her movement spreaded widely and gain maximum support of Zeliangrong people of Assam and Nagaland. He also reminded the gathering of Jawarharlal Nehru once stated referred to Rani Maa as “ a day will come when India will remember her and cherish her”.
Kadilin Gangmei spoke about the need of Zeliangrong people to have unity and integrity. He stated that Rani Gaidinliu focussed on collective future of Zeliangrong people and appealed the gathering to emulate Rani Maa whereas Erabot Gonmei also spoke on urgent need to sink temporary difference presently emerged in the minds of some individuals if really concern for progress of Zeliangrong people.
Speaking on the observance programme Titus Kamei, mainly dwelt on the present situation and the position of Zeliangrong people particularly living in the State of Manipur. He said Zeliangrong people are scattered in around 30 Assembly Constituencies out of 60 Members House Manipur State Legislative Assembly. Apart from Zeliangrong dominated three Legislative Assembly Constituencies of Tamenglong District, Zeliangrongpeople votes are very important and also a deciding factorswhile choosing the right candidate to represent the people in the other hill districts too. Zeliangrong people lived in about22 Assembly Constituencies in Manipur valleyout 40 seats where votes of Zeliangrongpeople are very important and a deciding factors in almost all these22 Constituencies. Zeliangrong is the second largest community (i.e next to Meitei) in Manipur. Therefore, the Zeliangrong people should exercise their democratic rights of universal adult franchise with wisdom so as to bring development and social progress. Nobody has the chance to vote for 20 times in one’s lifetime if not due to frequent mid-term polls. Every person has less than 20 times voting opportunity in one’s lifetime except some lucky persons whose life span livedupto to 100 plus years may get more than 20 times. It may not be wise to waste our precious voteif we want development and change.
He also urged the Zeliangrong people to know why Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India wanted to consolidate the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland by spearheaded the movement of “Zeliangrong People Convention” (ZPC). The Zeliangrong Civil Organisations (ZCOs) on behalf of the Zeliangrong people thanked the Govt of India and the State Govt for the Prime Minister ambitious mega project “musuem cum library” in recognition of Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India, who was the lone tribal women’s Freedom Fighter of India, to be set up at Luangkao village, Tamenglong District, the native village of Rani Maa following strong objection raised by the ZCOs against the Manipur State Govt earlier planned to set up the said musuem at Senapati district. It is the expectation of the Zeliangrong people that the construction work of the said museum starts immediately and complete very soon. The future of Zeliangrong people lies when there is unity. With the observance of 107th Birth Anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India, let us hope that the Govt of India do something tangible for the Zeliangrong people in reciprocal for the contribution rendered by Rani Gaidinliu, Freedom Fighter of India.
