Puya Meithaba remembered
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2010: The 281st anniversary of Puya Meithaba (mass burning of sacred texts/chronicles) was observed today at BOAT under the aegis of the Meetei National Front (MNF) Kangleipak. The anniversary observance was marked by paying of homage to ancestors in front of Kangla Uttra.

A mass procession was also taken out.

On the occasion, the Maichou Ningshing Mana was conferred to director of Mutuwa Museum Mutuwa Bahadur and the Chingmi-Tammi Ningshing Mana to former chief of Ichum Kom Keirap Luthatsong Kom.

The anniversary observance was attended by titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba as chief guest and MNF president Chingsubam Wangambi as functional president.

Elders and priests at the observance of Puya Meithaba anniversary

Kangla Fort Board member Prof Sairem Nilbir, headman of Khongbal Tangkhul village Akhui Zimik, MEELAL working president Thokchom Babulchand, president of the United Manipuri Muslim Women Development Organisation Anwari Nurjahan, chief of Maram centre K Taruba, Sadu Koireng village authority secretary S Sodo Koireng, Mantak village chief Serto Bigai Kom, Purum Likli chief S Renaichong Purum, advisor to All Manipur Private Schools Welfare Association L Tomba, Singda Kuki village chief Lalboi Sitlhou and many other village chief, leaders and functionaries of many organisations attended the observance as guests of honour.

Giving key-note address of the observance, MNF vice-president Thokchom Wangamba Meetei said that 23rd day of the Manipuri calendar month Wakching of 1729 on which Puyas were collected and burnt in bulk in front of Kangla Uttra was a dark day in the history of the land.

The Puyas and the invaluable knowledge thus lost cannot be ever regained.

However, the observance was organised with the objective of strengthening fraternal between the hill and valley people and also to save the vanishing indigenous cultures, religions and traditions of the indigenous people.

The day of burning puyas is a day of remorse.

However, this feeling of remorse and despair should not fuel ill-feelings against people following other religions, Leishemba Sanajaoba said.

Prof Sairem Nilbir called upon all to throw away the concept of pure and impure so that the hill people and the valley people come even closer.

Together with the anniversary observance, a memorandum was also submitted to the Governor and the Chief Minister appealing to recognise 23rd day of Wakching as black day and to declare the day as State holiday.