Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 13 2009:
The Leimapokpa Keirungba Memorial Committee, Manipur has donated the relics of Leimapokpa Keirungba, which he used while serving the Palace as 'Keirungba' (civil engineer) during the reign of Manipur King Chandrakirti to the Department of Archaeology, Government of Manipur today.
The artifacts which include a turban, a traditional box, and a material used while bathing known as 'Chaithaphal,' were handed over to the state Archaeology department in a simple function held today at the residence of Leimapokpam Bijoy (the great grandson of Leimapokpa Keirungba) located at Yaiskul Hiruhanba.
The materials were handed over to the officials of the Archaeology department led by the Superintendent, Sapam Bheigya by the Leimapokpam family.
The materials will be preserved at Kangla Museum.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Leimapokpam Bijoy observed that his great grandfather was an engineer during the reign of King Chandrakirti.
He had built the road from Sana Konung to Iroishemba.
He said the materials he had used were preserved by the family members since the death of Leimapokpa Keirungba.
He added that the Leimapokpam Keirungba Memorial Committee has been formed with an attempt to preserve the imprints of Keirungba including the one located at the present MSRTC Complex, Moirangkhom.
Bijoy further announced that the committee will start giving award to selected engineers who contributed to the qualitative construction of roads and bridges.
The committee has also decided to institute a cash award of Rs 50,000 to engineering students who score the highest marks.
Saying that relics are valuable national assets, Superintendent of the Archaeology department, S Bheigya noted that the historical objects may be lost if maintained by respective families who have ones.
He appealed all concerned to handover the relics to the authority for preservation if anyone had.