Gambhir Singh remembered on his 176th death anniversary
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 09 2010: Maharaja Gambhir Singh was remembered today on his 176th death anniversary with rich floral tributes at the samadi of the king of Manipur at Langthabal.

MLA O Joy and Commissioner (Art and Culture) led the people in paying homage to the Maharaja Gambhir Singh and Nara Singh.

A gun salute was also offered by a contingent of the Manipur Rifles to the samadi of the king.

Speaking as chief guest of the function organised by the state art and culture, O Joy recalled the struggle of the king to free Manipur from the invading Awa (Burma) to regain the lost freedom of Manipur during the seven year devastation of Awa (Chahi Taret Khuntakpa).

Dingitaries, officials and security personnel pay obeysance to Maharaj Ghambhir Singh at his tomb at Langthabal on the 176th death anniversary day

He was heroic figure in the history of Manipur who saved the Manipur from extinction and revived the then princely state of Manipur.

To offer floral tributes to the great leader is the bounden duty of the people of the state.

In the past, government ignored the historic places but nowadays government has started taking up some works knowing the importance of such places.

The clear instance is the development of samadi of Gambhir Singh.

The development of the samadi will stand as testimony of the historic event of how Gambhir Singh and Nara Singh saved Manipur.

He also expressed his willingness to preserve and develop the Leishang Hiden and Chandranadi river.

Delivering his speech as president of the function, commissioner (art and culture) P Bhorot said that for development of the memorial site of the Maharaja, state government prepared a project with an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore.

While taking up the project, the present samadi of the Gambhir Singh will be kept untouched.

Only archeological works will be taken up, he said.

RK Jhaljit who attended the function as guest of honour, said that it was during the reign of king Gambhir Singh that offering arti as per clock began.

Celebration of rathra jatra started from his period.

The scientific method of treatment of illness was also introduced during his reign.

People of today's generation should do in-depth research on the arts of scientific method of treatment of disease and illness introduced by the king and develop it with new findings.

RK Ranendrajit, who also attended as guest of honour observed that stationing of Assam Rifles at Langthabal Palace has diminished the beauty of the palace.

There is a need of developing the samadi of Gambhir Singh in a more beautiful way.