Manipur celebrated its 51st Statehood Day with Chief Minister N Biren Singh addressing the observation function at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles parade ground on Saturday.
Ministers, members of legislative assembly, chief secretary, director general of police and senior civil and police officials attended the celebration.
Taking of the general salute, inspection of parade by the chief minister and march past by 14 contingents besides the performance of combined band platoons formed an attention-grabbing part of the day’s colourful celebration.
Greeting the people on the occasion, Biren Singh recalled the history of Manipur and stressed the need of the people to remember every memorable event that occurred in the history of Manipur.
He mentioned the Chahi Taret Khutakpa,(seven years of devastation) the hardship faced by the people during the period and the contribution of thebrave forefathers to liberate Manipur from the Burmese. ‘We all should honour the selfless and heroic contribution of the then great leaders,’ he added.
Recalling the period of British colonialism in the state and sacrifices made by sons of Manipur to defend the sovereignty of the motherland, he reiterated, “We are the sons and daughters of those brave forefathers who possessed the quality of conviction, commitment and sacrifice.”
Urging everyone to try to live with dignity by helping the needy and rendering service for the development of the state, he appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Central government leaders for their concern to save the identity and culture and to foster development in the State.
“We should be thankful to them for their concern,” he added.
Maintaining that the law and order of the state has considerably improved, he continued that many members of “underground groups” had been brought to the mainstream through dialogues and interaction, under the initiative of the Central and state governments.
Biren further expressed that Manipur, with its pace of development, has been able to attract many domestic and foreign tourists. He informed that the state will be holding events in connection with G20 and even the grand finale of Femina Miss India this year.
Raising concern on large scale deforestation carried out in the state, Singh informed that a mass tree plantation campaign will be organised, with participation of all government officials, from March to July this year.