IMPHAL, January 9: The United People Front (UPF) Manipur today observed the Re-consolidation Day at Manipur College Auditorium at the CYCL, Chinga Mathak Pishum Ground commemorating the 181st death anniversary of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.
Senior citizen Dr Arambam Lokendro attended the function as chief guest, UPF president MB Yaima Shah as function president, All Manipur Working Journalists Union president Wangkhemcha Shamjai and Indigenous Minority Organisation Manipur president Khupler Kom as guests of honour.
Manipur University Professor N Joykumar spoke at the observation as resource person.
Speaking on the seven years devastation, the MU professor said the devastation is one of the most crucial and important period of Manipur.
Maharaj Garibniwaj was the strongest king of the land and he was known and respected far and wide in the neighbouring countries, Joykumar said.
However, following his death, his sons fought for the throne weakening the kingdom of which Burma took advantage, he continued.
Manipur was under Burma from 1819 to 1826, the period known as the seven year devastation during which many Manipuris were taken as slaves to Burma, he said.
At the time Manipur had become so weak that none of the kings tried to free the land from the clutches of Burma except for Maharaj Gambhir Singh and his brother Nar Singh who managed to defeat the army of Burma and reclaim the lost sovereignty with the help of the British, he said.
Soon after, Gambhir Singh was announced the King of Manipur, he said adding that as per records of the time, the population of the land had gone down to just 10 thousand.
The MU professor continued that main issue today is to bring about a united Manipur, which was the desire of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.
He said the Manipuris have no regards for each other which is the main cause for the crack in the unity and it is time to respect, regard and unite with one another.
We also have no work culture which has been exploited by the non-locals who have taken over all kinds of work in the State, he said.
The time has come for the people of the land to follow in the footsteps of the forefathers, he continued.
Khupler Kom seconded the need to unite and said it is time for all communities to become united and protect Manipur following in the footsteps of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.
Everyone is aware that some people are trying to break the State and it is time for the people to come together and defeat all such people, he continued.
Shamjai said the younger generation should learn from the history of the land.
He also spoke on the need for unity and urged all to do away with the thoughts of disintegrating the land.
Manipur is today an emerging market for Indian industries which are giving prominent opportunities to the outsiders, he observed.
The State capital is today filled with non-locals and the indigenous people seem to be vanishing, he continued.
The AMWJU president also called on all to fight the issue of drug abuse which has become rampant in the State today.
Meanwhile floral tributes were offered at the Samadhi of Maharaj Gambhir Singh at Langthabal Kunja.
The observation was also attended by representatives of various civil organisations, meira paibis, locals who later took out a mass torch rally starting from Langthabal and continuing to Manipur College and returning back.
The day was also observed at Nandapur Durga Mandir, Hojai organised by the Assam Pradesh Manipuri Association with the Apunba Meira Paibi Nagaon district committee.
The observation was attended by Apunba Meira Paibi Nagaon president Th Thoibi, APMA president Th Babukar, UCM president Y Nabachandra, MSP, Assam president U Kunjabihari, UCM organisation secretary Y Dhiren, UCM IPR secretary Ng Deva and UCM secretary accountant RK Mangisana as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
Floral tributes were offered to a portrait of Maharaj Gambhir Singh during the observation.