State Govt braves boycott to celebrate R-Day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 27 2009: Amid boycott and general strike called by many underground organisations, the 60th Republic Day of India was celebrated by the State Government at Kangla here yesterday with Governor Gurbachan Jagat as chief guest.

As soon as the Governor arrived at Kangla, a contingent of 5 IRB attached with the Ist Manipur Rifles led by MPS officer Polem Manjit presented the guard of honour to the Governor.

After the parade inspection, the Governor unfurled the tri-colour flag with the band party playing the National anthem in the background.

Later, the Governor received the salute of the march past parade of around 35 different contingents lead by Commander of 2nd IRB Akoijam Radhashyam Singh.

A cultural item being presented in connection with R-Day

The march past contingent included ex-servicemen, CRPF (both male and female), civil police (both male and female), IRB, Assam Rifles, Home Guard, Manipur Fire Services, Excise, Civil Defence, School students, voluntary organisations and cultural troups.

Various Government Departments also erected beautifully decorated gates at different parts of Imphal where the march past parade passed through.

The march past parade was followed by tableaus of various Government departments.

Prior to salutation of the march past contingents, the Governor presented President's Gallantry Awards, Medals for Meritorious Services, Fire Services Awards, etc to 26 persons.

The Governor also presented Jeevan Raksha Award to Konthoujam Bony Singh.

The march past parade concluded at Ist MR parade ground where Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh welcomed the participants.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Minister described 26 January as an important day in history of the country.

It is on this day that democratic rights of the people have been ensured, he said.

Stating that India is today being reckoned among the economic forces of the world, the Chief Minister noted that efforts are also being made to develop the North East region at par with other parts of the country by 2020 .

It may be mentioned here that in connection with the Republic Day celebration, the State Govt has reduced the jail term of 9 convicts by 15 days each and the President of India had also announced names of 15 personnel of Manipur Police for decorating with President's Medals and Awards.

In continuation of the R-Day celebration, the Beating of Retreat and folk dance competition was held at the parade ground of Ist MR here today with Governor as chief guest.

In the dance competition attended by nine cultural troupes, Musical Centre, Khurai won the first prize, Lamhi Thadou Kuki Research Centre, Chandel district won the second prize while the third prize was won by Thawaijao Hunphung Dance Youth/Students Organisation, Ukhrul.

The prizes of the today's dance competition as well as that of the yesterday's march past competition were presented to the winners by the Governor at the occasion.

Gifts were also presented to honour the village chiefs coming from different parts of the State to participate in the celebration.

The R-c Day Celebration had also been reportedly celebrated at all district Hqs and sub-divisional Hqs of the State.

At CCpur district headquarters, the celebration was held at the public ground with DC Sumant Singh as chief guest.

In all 26 contingents participated in the march past parade.

Commander of Manipur Police Service Punyaban Singh was the parade commander.

At the occasion, DIO of CCpur Md Jahiruddin Shah was honoured with award for his dedication to the service.

Others who have been honoured with awards include ADC H Rupachandra Singh, SDO of CCpur Sub-Division Naba Singh and ZEO Joseph Lalrothang.

The R-Day celebration for Tamenglong district was held at the district headquarters with DC RH Golmei as chief guest who received the salute of the march past of 16 contingents led by Subedar Ng Birchandra Singh of 6th MR.Prior to that the chief guest unfurled the tri-colour flag amid playing of the National anthem.

In Chandel district, the R-Day celebration was held at Maha Union School ground with Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar, IAS unfurling the tri-colour flag and receiving the salute of 30 contingents of the march past parade led by Assistant Commandant of 8th Manipur Rifles Y Rajendra Singh, MPS.

The chief guest also presented awards to various security personnel and Government employees in appreciation of their meritorious services.

Later during the day, an exhibition football match was also played between DC-Eleven and Chief-Eleven to mark the occasion.

In Senapati district, the celebration was held at the mini stadium of the district headquarters with Deputy Commissioner of the district Nidhi Kesarwani unfurling the tri-colour flag and receiving the salute of 12 march past contingents comprising among other Manipur Police personnel, ex-servicemen, band part of 22 Assam Rifles and school children.

Officer in-charge of Senapati police station Inspector PS Daiho was the parade commander.

Apart from presentation of cultural dances and songs by various troupes, traditional red blankets have also been distributed among the village headmen and chairmen who were present at the occasion.

In Thoubal district, the Republic Day was celebrated under the aegis of the district administration at BASU ground with Deputy Commissioner RK Dinesh Singh as chief guest.

March past contingents of the Manipur Police, Home Guard personnel (both male and female), NCC cadets, Manipur Fire Services and Assam Rifles participated in the march past parade led by SDPO Thoubal Jugeshchandra Haobijam, MPS as parade commander.

Presentation of cultural dances by various troupes coming from different parts of the district and the band display by the band party of the 34 Assam Rifles also enthralled the crowd.

Towards the end of the celebration, the chief guest distributed awards and appreciation certificates to various march past contingents and dedicated officials of the districts.

It may be noted that the Best Youth Award given by the Nehru Yuva Kendra, Thoubal for this year has been presented to Blooming Athletic Sports Union (BASU), Khangabok.

Th award carries a cash reward of Rs 10,000 .

The 60th Republic Day of India was also celebrated at the district headquarters of Bishnupur with Deputy Commissioner AS Shimray unfurling the tri-colour flag and receiving the march past salute of 8 contingents including that of Manipur Police, Home Guards and school children.

The chief guest also released a newsletter published by the District Information Office to mark the occasion attended a large number of political leaders, civil, police and paramilitary officials.

The Republic Day was also celebrated at the office complex of Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East district at Porompat with the Deputy Commissioner unfurled the National flag as chief guest, Superintendent of Police of Imphal East and other civil and police officers, staff and invitees participated in the function.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds: The Republic Day was also celebrated in Jiribam with ADC Y Iboyaima unfurling the tri-colour flag as chief guest in the office complex of ADC Jiribam.

Commandant of 5 Assam Rifles Col P Choudhury was also present at the occasion as guest of honour.

Maj Manmohan of 5 Assam Rifles was honoured with the award of Best Army officer by the chief guest at the occasion.