Imphal, January 09 2009: Observing that the infamous chapter of 'Seven Years Devastation' in the history of Manipur had come about due to lack of unity, those who spoke at the occasion of Reconsolidation Day observance here today have called for unity among the people and learn lessons from the mistake of the historical past.

In commemoration of the 175th death anniversary of Maharaja Gambhir Singh, the Reconsolidation Day was observed under the joint aegis of Ethno Heritage Council (HERICOUN) and United People's Front (UPF) at Kangla Hall here with a large number of people offering rich floral tributes to the photograph of Manipuri King Gambhir Singh who was the driving force behind the reconsolidation of the scattered Manipur society after the Seven Years Devastation in the hands of the invading Burmese warriors.

Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya and HERICOUN president Renghang Chothe were respectively chief guest and functional president of the occasion which was also attended by UPF president YK Dhiren, social worker Rose Mangshi Haokip, former president of All Manipur Bar Association Abdul Kayum and president of Rongmei Luphuam (Assam, Manipur and Nagaland) Panti Golmei as guests of honour.

Prof N Joykumar of Manipur University and Advocate Angomcha Araba were also spoke at the occasion as resource persons.

Delivering the key note address of the function, HERICOUN secretary L Ratan pointed out that as a consequence of the disunity among the Manipuri princes, the independence of the erstwhile Kingdom of Manipur fell into the hands of the Awas (Burmese) and led to the infamous chapter of Seven Years Devastation (1819-1925) in the history of Manipur.

However, with the efforts of King Gambhir Singh who set up Manipur Levy with just 500 soldiers picked up from among the Manipuris scattered in different parts, the Awas were defeated and the independence of Manipur restored.

On January 9, 1834, the Kabow Valley which was a part of Manipur had been given Burma and King Gambhir Singh died on the same day.

It is in commemoration of his death on this day that Reconsolidation Day is being observed, Ratan said.

In his address as chief guest of the function, Dr T Meinya observed that history of Manipur has witnessed defeats in the hands of enemy as a consequent of disunity among the people yet we have not been able to learn lesson from the history.

As long as there is no unity among the people, the future of Manipur can not be secured.

The Prime Minister of India and Sonia Gandhi understand the problems afflicting Manipur today are insurgency and socio-economic problems and these two problems have been the root cause of all other problems including HIV/AIDS and corruption.

Inspite of all these problems, we have not been able to stand up unitedly and fight as the spirit of compromise and oneness is lacking, Dr Meinya said.

Prof Joykumar said we should learnt lesson from history.

Apart from remembering just how the Seven Years Devastation had come about, we should learnt how Awas have been defeated by the united efforts of the people and brought about a glorious ending to it.

Advocate Angomcha Araba noted that if we have to come together and resolve the problems afflicting the State today, then we need to extend support to each other right from moral support to the financial and physical support.

Rose Mangshi Haokip pointed out that most of the people in the hills of Manipur do not have knowledge about many historical events including the Seven Years Devastation that took place here thus causing difficulties in the process of unification among the people of the State.

So we have to work together in understanding the history of the State.

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