Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 25 2010:
As in other parts of the country, Balidan Diwas was observed in the State today in remembrance of the supreme sacrifice made by freedom fighter Durga Malla of Gorkha community.
It was on this day in 1944 that Durga Malla was hanged to death by the British at Red Fort on alleged charge of waging war against the British crown.
Organised under the aegis of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Manipur State Branch, the main observance function was held at Kanglatongbi where rich tributes were paid not only to freedom fighter Durga Malla but also to Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri and freedom fighter Captain Ram Singh Thakuri.
Patriotic song competition, recitation contest and lecture programmes were also organised to mark the occasion.
MLA of Sekmai Assembly Constituency Heikham Borajao and president of Gorkha Parisangh, Manipur State branch KB Karki were respectively chief guest and president of the observance function which was also attended by member of Kanglatongbi Zilla Parishad Rajkumari Sedain, president of Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union Ram Bahadur Chhetri and president of Nepali Sahitya Parishad Durga Sharma as guests of honour.
All those who spoke at the occasion stressed on the need for the younger generation to get inspiration from the freedom fighters who did not hesitate from sacrificing their lives for the cause of safeguarding the independence of their motherland.
General secretary of Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh, Manipur State Branch Shiva Lama Karki Lama Karki lamented that present generation has forgotten sacrifices of Subedar Niranjan Singh Chhetri who ended his life at the gallows along with Yubaraj Tikendrajit and Thangal General.
In remembrance of his sacrifice one statue should be installed for the people to pay respect, he said, while drawing the attention of the Government in this regard.
In continuation of the function, artistes of Sunrise Gorkha Youth Club, Kalapahar presented cultural dances.
Noted singer Sarita Gasmir was also among other artistes who render.