The State Archaeology, Department of Art and Culture organized the 173rd death anniversary of Maharaj Narasingh at Kangla, where floral tributes were paid to the portrait of the late king at his memorial tomb.
Chief Minister N Biren led other dignitaries in paying respects and offering tarpan at Nungjeng Pukhri, Kangla. The event saw a larger turnout of government officials and the public, and the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that the anniversary function is growing with greater participation.
In his address, Chief Minister N Biren highlighted the need for the present generation to remember and honor the sacrifices made by the great forefathers in defending the freedom of the motherland.
He expressed concern that many youths are getting addicted to drugs and intoxicants and seem to have forgotten the contributions of their forefathers. The State Government installed statues of Maharaj Narasingh and Herachandra, along with Maharaj Gambhir Singh, to acknowledge their heroic efforts in driving away the Burmese and ending the Seven Years’ Devastation in 1826.
The Chief Minister stressed the need to maintain unity among different communities residing across the State, adding that the State Government had set up traditional huts representing different indigenous tribes of Manipur at the Sangai Ethnic Park to showcase and promote “our rich indigenous cultures.”
The State’s culture and tradition surprised the delegates of G20 who visited earlier this year. The State Government will not tolerate facilitating the influx and settlement of non-indigenous people who do not belong to the 35 tribes of Manipur with a diabolic motive to dominate the indigenous people, he said.
Biren emphasized that the State is moving towards development with considerable improvement in the law and order situation. As a result, domestic and foreign tourists are not hesitant to visit the State. Many events, including the G20, Tri-Nation Football Tournament, and Grand Finale of Femina Miss India, are being held in the State.
The habit of cleanliness is associated with “our culture and tradition” since time immemorial, and the Police Department has been instructed to pull up those who throw garbage in rivers, thereby polluting them.
Bottle banks have also been installed at different places to drop plastic bottles. The Chief Minister reiterated that the people of the State have been able to live as a civilization because of the selfless sacrifices and contributions made by “our forefathers”.
He expressed the need for all communities to live together as one and join hands to take the State to new heights of development.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh delivered his presidential speech and stressed the importance of remembering and honoring the great forefathers for their heroic efforts to drive the Burmese soldiers away during the period of Seven Years’ Devastation.
Maharaj Narasingh was one of the kings of Manipur who had played a significant role in saving the Manipur civilization from the atrocities of the Burmese soldiers.
Talking about the development and progress of the State under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, he maintained that the developmental gap between the hill and valley region had been bridged by taking up various welfare initiatives.
The law and order situation of the State has considerably improved, and many tourists have started visiting the State in recent years.
The observation of Maharaj Narasingh’s death anniversary concluded with a guard of honor, gun salute, and sounding of the last post by a contingent of 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles. A two-minute silence was observed by all as a mark of respect to the late Maharaj Narasingh.
Transport Minister Kashim Vashum, Member of Parliament Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLA of Wangkhei AC Thangjam Arunkumar, MLA of Moirang AC Thongam Shanti, MLA of Wangoi Khuraijam Loken, MLA of Oinam AC Irengbam Nalini Devi, Director General of Police P Doungel and senior Government officials also attended the observation, among others.