"Cachar, Haflong, Aizawl, Manipur-Let us stand united and strive to bring together"
-Hmar National Anthem.

The Hmar Students` Association-Cum-Literary Meet 2005 was held on 15th -16th December at Hmarkhawlien, Cachar, Assam with the theme "Our language-Our strength". Some of the dignitaries on the first day were Shri Dinesh Prasad Goala, Hon`ble minister (PHED), Assam, Lalsangzuala Hmar, MLA, Suangpuilawn, Mizoram, C.Songate IRS, Joint commissioner, Shillong and L.Ruoivel Pangamte, Vice-principal of Lamka College, Churachandpur, etc. Shri. Dinesh Prasad Goala, as a chief guest shared the joys of the inclusion of Hmar MIL in the Matriculation syllabus under the Board of Secondary Education, Assam with effect from 2005.

It may be pointed out here that Shri. Goala had been the key person for the inclusion of the Hmar MIL in the said syllabus. As a concerned MLA of Hmarkhawlien, Cachar Shri Goala had also promised to upgrade the Hmar MIL to the higher level in the near future.

In fact, promoting and preserving one’s language involves great accountability of the students` community. Thus, for this reason, "Our language-Our strength" has been selected to be the theme for this historic occasion of the Hmar Students` Association General Assembly.

On the second day of the assembly, K. Sangthuama, Hon`ble minister, FCS& Cooperative, Mizoram, was the chief guest. Dr. Chaltawnlien Amo, Hon`ble deputy chairman State Planning Board, Manipur as Chief Host. And Lalsangzuala Hmar MLA, Mizoram as Guest of honor.

Among other dignitaries were Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) newly elected president Mr. Laltlansanga, representatives of All Tribal Students` Union, Manipur (ATSUM), and DESAM, Jiribam branch. All speeches were mainly focused on the importance of 'Unity and Integration’ of the Northeast Indigenous peoples. Besides the above mentioned dignitaries, well-known artists like Catherine Khiangte, Lalrawngbawla Ralte from Mizoram and Laltuoklien (popularly known as Sinlung disco/pistol puokruk) from Tipaimukh, Manipur participated in this auspicious occasion.

This time the assembly hall was called Dr Thanglung Memorial Hall in recognition of his achievements as the first Hmar Bible translator and his being one of the founding members of HSA General Hqs.

Finally, the general assembly unanimously elected new leaders of HSA. General Headquarter for a period of 2006-2007. The newly elected leaders are as follows: Dr. John Pulamte, president, Joseph R. Hmar vice-president and Mr. Lalthlamuon Hmar (Shillong), general secretary.

Hmarkhawlien: It was popularly known as Lakhipur several years back. It is located in between the boundaries of Manipur and Mizoram. Owing to this centrally and strategically important location, business and trade flourishes tremendously.

Its main source of income and livelihood is pineapple. Thus, Hmarkhawlien has been the main supplier of pineapple to the neighboring states like Mizoram and Manipur. Hmarkhawlien, one of the biggest Hmar villages numbering around seven hundred houses is situated on the bank of Barak River on the National Highway 53.

The village, occupied since the beginning of the last century was also once the headquarters of the Christian Missions and also its missionaries. Other kinder tribes such as Hrangkhawl, Biete, Sakechep, Bawm, and Pangmual, etc, also settle in the region.

The first joint cultural meet (Unau Suopui) was held in this place way back in 1994 and was attended by about 13 kindred tribes of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura. All these groups along with their cultural troupes and top leaders attended the two-day events of the meet.

Now, the Cachar Hill Tribes Development Council headed by a nominated Chairman and it members have been assisting the state government in the administration of the region.

Origin of HSA: In a desperate search for a nomenclature acceptable to all Zo tribes under the banner of Kuki Youth Organisation (K.Y.O) started in 1937. In those days, one of the most prominent leaders of the KYO was Thangkhopao Kipgen.

And this organization was supposed to be a common platform for all non-Naga tribes of Zo descendants. The idea was that all Zo students could join without having to bear the name of a specific tribe. However, the Hmar and Paite students refused to join the organization as they could not be fully convinced by the term, "KUKI".

As a result, the Hmar Students` Association (HSA) was formed way back in 1939 under the initiative of H.L. Daka. To commemorate the 61st anniversary of the HSA General Hqs, a meeting was held at Chawnga Memorial Hall, Sielmat, Churachandpur on 3rd October, 2000 and Pu H.L. Daka, 88 year old, who was founder-president of HSA was felicitated as a Guest of Honour by the HSA. General Headquarters

On 1962, L. Keivom designed HSA EMBLEM with its motto: SININ, HRILIN, SANIN, THRUOIIN- SERVE THE NATION.

And on 4, April, 1993 while L. Keivom IFS was serving in Milana as Consul General, on the request of his nephew, Prof. Lal Dena, he translated, "Aw kan Hmar Ram" popularly known as Hmar National Anthem into English version and the song runs as follows:-

Our dear Hmar Ram, rolling verdant hills,
Abode of Hmar people;
For thy good name and glory,
We all tirelessly strive and struggle:
Reward us with thy bloom.

O God, we give our land to Thee,
Our backward land now in darkness;
Let thy bright light shine over us,
And bless us, O Lord, we pray.
Cachar, Haflong, Aizawl, Manipur-
Let us stand united
And strive to bring together
Our poor scattered tribe and march forward;
Lord, we seek thy wisdom.

Let's take what's best from other nations,
Shunning their baneful ways;
Let's stand firm and united
With no one slacking nor falling back,
Onward marching we go.

This is our land, evergreen and blue,
The land we sing about,
The songs of all our praises,
Where our forefathers ruled in glory;
Our land, our treasured jewel.