IMPHAL, September 30: The 118th birth anniversary of Jananeta Hijam Irabot was observed today at various place of the State. Apart from paying tributes at the portrait of Lamyanba Irabot, various functions, patriotic songs and recitation contests, social service camps, tree plantations, March past competitions, quiz competitions were also held.
The Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust observed the 118th birth anniversary commemoration of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot at Pishumthong Oinam Leikai, Irabot Road Statue Complex today.
Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Dr Th Meinya led the others in offering floral tribute to the statue of the leader.
Altogether 15 contingents from different schools also took part in a march past competition during the day`™s observation.
Today`™s observation was attended among others by MP Dr Meinya as president, HIMCT president H Joykumar, retd DGP, Manipur Y Joykumar, All Manipur Recognised Private School Welfare Association president Ph Landhoni, Manipur Rural Bank general manager Khwairakpam Yaiskul, Hijam Irabot Memorial Charitable Trust chief advisor Namoijam Tomba, and HIMCT legal advisor Ng Nongyai as guests of honour.
Tomba said September is an important month as both the death and birth anniversaries of the great leader falls in this month.
Both his death and birth anniversaries are commemorated to remember his huge sacrifice for the land, he said.
People should not take lightly the leaders`™ statue erected on the riverbank in Pishum Oinam leikai, he added.
Retd DGP, Joykumar said he knew since his time in Delhi preparing for the UPSC exam that Hijam Irabot led the first communist movement in the State.
Irabot, he said, was unsatisfied with the government and came out to fight injustice and for the truth.
People need to follow the rule of law, he said.
MP Meinya said teaching today`™s growing youth about the lessons from Irabot`™s life is good.
This should be encouraged, and we should follow in the footsteps of the leader of the State, he said.
He said Irabot fought for women`™s rights.
Hijam Irawat was a leader of the masses, and any political party or group cannot claim that he was their leader. Indisputably, he was a great human being, whose name will forever remain etched in history, stated MLA Dr Ng Bijoy during a seperate observation of the day at Manipur Dramatic Union hall, Yaishkul. The function was organised by the Jananeta Hijam Irawat Birthday Celebration Committee.
Dr Bijoy, who was the chief guest of the function, urged that the statue of the pioneer leader must be erected at a suitable public place, so that people can view it, instead of erecting many statues at different corners.
Dr Bijoy also maintained that the title `Jananeta`™ must be replaced by a local word, as the title sounds too orthodox.
He also added that Irawat was a teacher of teachers, besides he was a social reformer, who selflessly sacrificed for the cause of the people.
He elaborated that Irawat`™s forte was his fight against the oppressive decrees of the king, by sacrificing his position and power, adding that Irawat ushered a dynamic social change.
Secretary of CPI (M), Manipur, Sarat Salam who also spoke during the function, stated that Irawat was a leader not only for the people of Manipur, but Irawat was revered by people cutting across political and community affiliations.
Sarat continued that leader like Irawat had universal acceptance, because he carried the fundamental message of fighting against oppression and injustice, meted out by the powerful towards the weaker sections of society.
Sarat stressed that it is a good sign that on Irawat`™s birthday, cleanliness drive are carried out at different localities. But, what is even more required is cleaning of our soul; which has been the root cause of social evils that the Manipuri society faces today, Sarat added.
The function was also graced by political leaders like Dr M Nara, Manihar Goswami, Kh Gyaneswor, N Ratan, S Samungou, L Kunjo, M Randhoni and Ksetrimayum Ibohal Singh, president of Manipur Dramatic Union.
As part of the function, a play `Lamyanba Irawat`™ was staged by the artiste of MDU, which was witnessed by a jam-packed audience.
The Lamyanba Irabot Ningsing Thouram Observation Committee (LINTOC) also commemorated the legendary leader`™s birth anniversary at Ima Khunthokhanbi Shanglen.
Delivering the key note address at the function, Irabot Foundation general secretary Kh Sengoi Luwang observed that it has become imperative for the present generation to analyse the message of Irabot and his works.
He was a freedom fighter, politician and social activist, and a perfect leader who stood firmly for the rights of the poor and farmers. He strongly opposed the autocratic rule of the king of that time and worked for social reformation, he added.
During the function, LINTOC convener Joy Nongmaithemcha and co-conveners Kh Nishikanta and S Dilip Meitei also attended the function.
In the other hand, the Naharol Shahitya Premi Samiti, Imphal also observed the day at Dave Literary Centre, Dm College Campus today.
In the function Bal Sahitya Puruskar awardee S Indrakumar, Naharol Sahitya Premi Samiti president P Nabachandra and assistant professor Y Kunjabihari were the chief guest, president and guest of honor respectively.
As part of the function Samitti also organised a reception ceremony of Dr Ibocha Soibam on his receiving the Sahitya Akedemy Translation 2013, Bal Sahitya Puruskar 2013 awardee Raghu Leishangthem and Birendrajit Naorem awardee Manipur State Award for Literacy 2013.
Meanwhile, the Irabot Research and Commemoration Commitee (IRCC), Manipur today observed the 118th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot at Yoga & Fitness Centre, Thangmeiband Athletic Union ground.
As part of observation, a march-past competition and cultural programmes were organised.
During the observation, ex-dean Central Agricultural University N Iboton Singh was awarded with the Manipur Loumeegee Marup award; Unified People`™s Struggle Committee president Radhesana with the Manipuri Thouna Fabi Ema and Meeyam editor Jugol Sai with the Revolutionary Journalist Award while, MU associate professor Dr Chinglen Meisnam was decorated with the Revolutionary Educationist Award.
The observation was also attended by IRRC president S Shyamsunder Singh, Manipur Intellectual Forum President Ch Gopalmacha, AMUCO advisor KT Rehman and AMUCO president Y Mani.
