State remembers Nupi Lan, fitting tributes paid all over
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 12: People of Manipur today paid homage and tribute to the brave 'Imas' of Manipur who fought against the then colonial rule and trade monopoly policies of the Britishers for the cause of justice during the commemorative function to remember movement of 1904 and 1939 which is today popularly known as Nupi Lan.

Nupi Lan was also observed at the Ramnogor Hari Mandir at Bangladesh today.

The function was organised by the Ramnogor Manipuri Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Lup which has been organising the function since 1990, said a statement today evening.

The dignitaries who graced the dais included Ksh Haripodo, member IMA, Bangladesh as the president, Zahurul Alam Jt Secy Dhaka, Md Farukh Ahamad, Karmachari Commissioner (Land), Shreemangal, Parthasankar Shaha Samboykari SCPCD, SHED, Bangladesh, Guru Konsam Kumar, JNMDA, Ras Depat and Thongam Chandrakriti, president of Manipuri Sanskriti Parishad.

Tributes being paid to martyred Imas during Nupi Lan memorial observation in Bangladesh

The chief guest was Md Saiful Islam, Upajija Nirbahi Officer, Shreemangal.

Ratan Kumar Singha, GS, IMA Bangladesh, Khomdram Biren, President Manipuri Cultural Academy, Keisam Biren vice president, IMA, Bangladesh delivered speeches at the function.

The key note address was delivered by AK Seram, Chairman of IMA Bangladesh.

The State function of Nupi Lan, 2006 organised by the Government at Nupi Lan Memorial Complex was attended by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and Art and Culture Minister Ph Parijat as chief guest and president respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Ibobi said women's agitations or Nupi Lans of 1904 and 1939 are two unique historical episodes that remind us of the courage and valour of Manipuri women and their spirit of patriotism.

Manipuri womenfolk still possess that courage and spirit of patriotism , he said adding that the Manipuri women have always been at the forefront of various social movements, fighting against social evils.

They should continue to play a major role in resolving various important State issues in the future as well, he said.

Slightly annoyed with the rather poor attendance of people at the function, Ibobi said the level of participation in any State function is lesser and the same is also true for admission of students in the educational institutions of the Government.

On developmental front, the Chief Minister said there is no lack of fund and India Government is ready to provide all the necessary fund.

However, pace of development in Manipur has been always slow due to various impediments, he noted.

The construction of the Khwairamband Bazar has been stalled, he said, while pointing out that any sort of disagreement and complaint against the Government could be resolved through dialogues instead of taking recourse to threat and intimidation.

In his presidential address, Art and Culture Minister Ph Parijat said December 12 is a day of awakening for the Manipuri people and womenfolk in particular.

Along with understanding the significance of the day, womenfolk should continue to contribute their mite in resolving various taxing issues being confronted by the State today, he said.

At the very outset of the function, the chief guest and the president led the people in offering floral tributes and homage to the memorial statue of the Nupi Lan.

Ministers, MLAs and other Government officials were also present at the occasion.

Towards the end of the function, artistes of the Nupi Lan Memorial Association and Nupi Lan and Khongjom War Memorial Society re-enacted the episodes from the Nupi Lan event in the form of a drama.

Like every year, Nupi Lan Observation Committee (NOC) organised its 67th Nupi Lan Ningshing Thouram by taking out a mass rally during the day and lighting candles at night.

Around 10,000 women took part in the rally which started from THAU Ground Thangmeiband and snaked through Lilashing Khongnangkhong, Chingmeirong Khongnang Ani Karak, Dingku Road, Khurai Lamlong Bazar, Telipati and North AOC before converging at the starting point again where a public meeting was held.

The public meeting held with president of Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba, Manipur, Longjam Memchoubi; president of Meira Paibi Welfare Association, Kangleipak Moirangthem Keinahanbi and president of All Manipur Women Voluntary Association Nongthombam Chaobi Chanu deliberated on various issues related to women in Manipuri society.

To mark the event, State Level Nupi Lan Ningshing Lamjel Organising Committee also organised the 15th Nupi Lan Ningshing Lamjel (marathon race).

The marathon was flagged off by K Bormani in front of Nupi Lan Memorial complex at around 6.30 am with the finishing line as Singjamei Super market.

Beishamyum Malaya Devi (45) of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai (Apunba Pangal Self Help Group), Wangkheimayum Sobita Devi (42) of Khundrakpam Makha Leikai (Indira Women's Welfare Association) and Nandeibam Premila Leima (42) of Khundrakpam Makha Leikai (Indira Women's Welfare Association) won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively in the race.

At Kangla Hall here, the commemorative function of Nupi Lan was organised as Nupigi Numit.

All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj president Keisam Ongbi Taruni, All Manipur Chingmi-Tammi Apunba Nupi Lup president Soibam Ongbi Momon Leima, Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup president Ph Sakhi, Kuki Mothers' Association president Rose Mangshi Haokip, Kabui Mothers' Association president Kakumlunglu Kamei, EEMA president RK Khumanleima, United Manipuri Muslim Women's Association president A Sarita Begum and founder president of Macha Leima Chingkham Usharani were presidium members of the function organised jointly by All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Samaj, All Manipur Tammi-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup and Apunba Manipur kanba Ima Lup.

Ex-general secretary of Macha Leima Koijam Ongbi Jamuna, editor of Freedom RK Ranendrajit and social activist Joy Nongmaithemcha were among the resource persons who spoke at the occasion.

At Khergao School ground, the Nupigi Numit was organised under the aegis of All Manipur Muslim Women Development Organisation (AMMW-DO).

IPR secretary of UCM BM Yaima Shah graced the function as chief guest, AMMWDO president Anwari Noorjahan as functional president and AMMSO president Md Hamit Shah and secretary of Janetul Ulema Abdul Rahman as guests of honour.

The Observation Committee on Nupigi Numit, Thoubal District United Women's Development and Eramdam Ereibak Chanura Loinasillon jointly observed Nupigi Numit at Wabagai Lamkhai Keithel.

The function was attended by Wabagai Zilla Parishad member Nongthombam Ongbi Angoubi, vice president of Thoubal District United Women's Development Khumukcham Onbi Mema and president of Eechal Heirangkhongjam Watombi Chanu as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Lecturer of CC Higher Secondary School Arambam Ongbi Memchoubi, advocate Kh Chonjon and president of Leading Meetei Women's Organisation Nongleima Haobam Ongbi were among those who spoke during the function as resource persons.

In Churachandpur district, the Nupigi Numit was observed during a function held at Khuga Tampak Awang Laibung (Zoveng).

The event was jointly organised by various civil organisations of the district like Ima Leimarol Apunba Lup, Iramdam Chanura Lup and Nupi Samaj.

Meitei Society, Churachandpur president Yaipha Yumnam presided over the function which was also graced by leaders of various communities on the dais.

Under the aegis of the Observation Committee, the Nupigi Numit was also observed at Moirang INA Hall, Ningthoukhong Bazar Community Hall and Sangeet Natak Hall of Nambol. At Presidency College, Motbung, the event was observed under the joint aegis of Motbung Area Chaokhat Thourang Nupi Lup, Kangpokpi Meitei Women Society and Observation Committee.

At Kuikap Community Hall, the commemorative function was jointly organised by Leimakol, Youth Welfare Association, All Kuikap Ningthou Meira Paibi Lup, Kuikap Ningthou Khul Marup, Young Farmers' Club and Uchol Youth Club and Uchol Meira Paibis.

At Moreh, the 35th Nupigi Numit was observed at the office of Meetei Council, Moreh (MCM).

Organised under the aegis of Kha Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup (KHNANL), the observance function was graced by SDO Moreh Ph Ibohal as chief guest, KHNANL president Kh Keina Leima as functional president and MCM president L Imobi Singh, Gorkha Samaj Samiti president Min Bahadur Thapa, Tamil Sangam president KBS Maniam, MMCM president Md Jeinul Abidin, UBI Moreh manager Kh Dhanabir and SDPO Moreh Hasna Jamana ss guests of honour.

Various competitions like race, blind hit and threading through needle eye, etc were organised for women at the occasion attended by womenfolk of various communities living in the border town.

The Nupigi Numit were also reportedly observed in different parts of Assam and Bangladesh where there are settlement of Manipuri people.