Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 11:
December 12 has arrived once again reminding the world of the valour and patriotic spirit of the Manipuri women who revolted against the repressive policies of then British colonialist and trade monopoly of the feudalism in 1939.Like every year, Manipuri people, both living in the State as well as in other parts of the world would be observing December 12 as Nupi Lan Day paying their homage to all those brave �Imas� of the Nupi Lan, both known and unknown.
However, reminiscence of the day seems to bring about a sense of nostalgia to many womenfolks who bemoaned over lack of unity and purpose among the present lots.
Talking to The Sangai Express, some of the women, who witnessed their own mothers taking up the cudgels to fight against social injustices, while they were young, lamented over the degradation in the position of the women and the movement being launched by them down the years.
80-year old Laishram Tombimacha of Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai, who as a 10 years old girl, saw her mother Laishram Tampak participating in the Nupi Lan, said the courage of the women of that time was awe-inspiring.
�There was unity among them.
They have no bickering and hankering after money or limelight and were very dedicated to the cause they were fight for.
That�s why they succeeded�, she added.
On the present position of the women and the cause they are fighting for, Tombimacha said �the womenfolks today are a disunited lot, who tried to find out each other�s faults.
�In the name of social cause, they are pursuing their own interest�, she said, adding that the pre-sent day womenfolks could never be able to able to emulate the qualities of �those� women.
75-year old Maibam Kadambini, who plays a pivotal role in getting the recognition of Nupi Lan as a State function, recounted that it was around 1975 that the people and various social organisations in Manipur started demanding the Government to recognise the Nupi Lan.
Nupi Lan Celebration Association, Manipuri Chanura Leishem Marup and All Manipur Nupi Marup played an active role in this regard, she informed, adding that as an outcome the State Govt has started observing Nupi Lan as a State function since 1980.Nupi Lan is a unique historical event not only in the history of Manipur, but also of the world, Kadambini, who is also founding member of the first �Nupi Lup� (women�s organisation) in Manipur, observed.
�Though the event reminds us of the valour and patriotism of the Manipuri women, the position of the women in Manipuri society today is very unfortunate�, she said, adding that women of the Nupi Lan days tried to find out the solution of any problem confronting them collective, which is not so among the women today.
The men who were behind the wo-men in the past were also more sincere, she said.