Imphal, February 26, 2010: The three-day long platinum jubilee celebration of Apokpa Marup has been inaugurated at Jaribond Laishram village of Hailakandi district in Assam today with Langthabal AC MLA O Joy Singh and Apokpa Lup president Nongmeikappam Puthiba gracing the occasion as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

In his address, O Joy described establishment of the Apokpa Marup by Laininghal Naoriya Phullo in 1930 marked a historic chapter in the annals of Manipur.

Substantiating on the comment, he recounted that during the Burmese (awa) invasions from 1819 till 1825 that caused mass devastation and subsequent desertion for seven years, role played by the Apokpa Marup in rekindling unity among the Meitei community could be assumed as similar to the concerted efforts of Maharaj Gambhir Singh and Nara Singh to drive away the invaders.

Observing that in the absence of Apokpa marup the Meitei culture and traditional would have been diluted to a great extent, O Joy revered Naoriya Phullo as a pioneer figure who strived to restore social economy and political freedom of Manipuris.

Taking into account contributions of Naoriya Phullo to the Manipur he deserved to be called the Father of the Meitei community, the MLA added.

Editor of vernacular daily Naharolgee Thoudang Khoirom Loyalakpa, who was among the guests of honour of the inaugural programme, said every individual community of the world irrespective of its size fearlessly safeguards its own identity and as such every Meitei should shoulder responsibility to protect its own identity and culture.

Outrightly pointing out that the Meitei community lacks unity owing to the individual concept of might is right, he heaped praises upon Naoriya Phullo for his relentless effort and sacrifice to unify the Meitei people inspite of the fact that he was not born in Manipur.

Release of a poetry compilation of Naoriya Phullo which was co-authored by 12 Apokpa marup scholars and exhibition of books penned by Naoriya Phullo were the other highlight of the programme.

Advisor of Moreh Meetei Lai Thougal Lup Yensenbam Thoungamba, Lai haraoba Guru of JN Manipur Dance Academy E Indira Leima and vice president of All Manipur Recognised Welfare Association Doren Khabanganba were the other guests of honour.

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