Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, January 08 2009:
IMAGINE THE condition of Manipur today had the Manipur Levy not won back the state from the hands of the Burmese after the Seven Years Devastation of 1819-1825, stated Revenue, Forest and Environment, Law and Legislative Affairs Minister, Th Devendra while addressing a reception party of the Manipuri Diaspora at the Kangla Hall here today.
The Minister also called upon the rallyists to 'rescue' the state of Manipur from the present condition.
Having arrived in the state capital, Imphal, the over 500 historic peace marchers of the Manipuri Diaspora under the banner of "Manipur Levy 2008" were given a grand reception on Thursday at the Kangla Hall.
The marchers who started out from Silchar in Assam on December 29 last and walked across about 300 kms to the state on a mission of peace reached the heart of Imphal on Thursday.
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The rallyists were welcomed by T.Meinya, Member of Parliament (MP), inner Manipur after crossing the Bir Tikendrajit Flyover where floral tributes were paid to the Shahid Minar which is also known as Bir Tikendrajit Park.
Later at the Kangla Fort, they were received by Revenue minister, Th Devendra who along with the peace marchers prayed the Kangla gods for peace and harmony for the future generation of Manipur and paid floral tributes to the Kangla gods.
Addressing the reception as chief guest, Th.Devendra, while narrating the history of the Manipur asked as what could be the condition of Manipur now had it not been 'rescued' by the Manipur Levy from the hands of the Burmese after the seven years devastation.
On the other hand, praising the peace marchers, the minister opined that the Manipuris should be happy and proud of "our brothers and sisters" who were staying outside the state yet preserving the culture by following the traditions and culture of Manipur.
P Bhorot, Commissioner of Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) also highlighted on the history of the Kangla Fort and why it stood gloriously shining till date.
The reception was also marked by various cultural programmes which were organized in honour of the peace marchers.
The Manipur Levy 2008 on Friday will hold a procession from Khuman Lampak Sports Complex to Langthabal in Imphal and then be back to the origin of the procession.