Paying rich tributes to Jana Neta Hijam Irawat on his 125th birth anniversary on Thursday, a state level observation was held at Irawat Square, Thangmeiband Lilashing Khongnangkhong with Chief Minister N Biren leading his cabinet ministers, MLAs, officials and general public in offering floral tributes to the statue of the leader.
Speaking to the media persons, the chief minister said that Irawat could lead a luxurious life as he belonged to a respectable and well-to-do family. However, he left everything and decided to work at the grassroots for the needy and downtrodden people.
As a humble tribute to his efforts and sacrifices made for the people, the present government began celebrating the day as a state function from 2018, besides erecting his statue and developing Irawat Square at Thangmeiband, he added.
Biren urged the people of the current generation to follow Irawat’s ideals to maintain unity and eradicate inequality among people.
Responding to a query regarding Athuan Abonmai’s murder case, Biren informed the media persons that understanding people’s sentiment and seriousness of the case, the state government had written twice to the authority concerned of the Central government to hand over the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Stating that a copy of the FIR of the case had also been attached in the last letter, he further said that he would also talk to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the matter during his Delhi visit that begins on Thursday.
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Regarding the proposed visit of Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu to the state, the chief minister said that it would be a part of the Vice President’s tour to the northeast region. Biren said that the state government would identify the developmental projects which would be inaugurated by the Vice President in consultation with his office.
Meanwhile, Loukhaoubi (farmerettes) of Takyel area were felicitated on Thursday by senior ophthalmic surgeon of University Hospital Derby and Bruton HNS Trust, United Kingdom, S Krishnananda, in connection with the observance of the 125th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot.
The felicitation programme was organised by the BJP unit of Takyel Kolom Leikai and it was held at the community hall of Takyel Kolom Leikai, Imphal West.
Speaking to the media persons on the sidelines of the observance, Krishnananda, who is also a BJP intending candidate of Patsoi assembly constituency, highlighted the farsighted vision of Irabot in making Manipur an egalitarian society and a self-reliant state.
The felicitation programme was a simple act to honour and encourage the farmerettes, he said adding that the farmers play a vital role in the struggle to make Manipur a self-reliant state.
Pointing out the importance of self-reliance in moving towards development, Krishnananda apprised the public that following the food-steps and ideology of the great leader Irabot is the key to development and bringing an egalitarian society.
He also asserted that there is a need for various welfare and developmental progress to be taken up in the state and further extended his assurance to give his maximum effort in uplifting the society and address the grievances of the public.
The function was also attended by BJP Takyel Kolom Leikai advisor, Haobijam Mangi; 19/7 polling booth president, Longjam Bamkin; and BJP Patsoi Mandal president, Y Kunjamani as presidium members. During the programme, floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Hijam Irabot.
On another occasion of Irabot Day on Thursday, the Lamyanba Irabot Ningsing Thouram Pangba Kanglup (LINTPK) called for unity among different indigenous groups.
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LINTPK is a joint body of the Socialist Student Socialist Students' Union of Manipur (SSUM), All Meetei Pangal Students' Union of Manipur (AMPSUM) and Socialist Women Association, Manipur (SWA).
In connection with the observance of the 125th birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot, LINTPK felicitated the inmates of the Old Age Home, Mongsangei in Imphal West with small token of gifts on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, SSUM president, S Yaima recalled the various works taken up by Irabot for the welfare of the society with the spirit of patriotism.
Asserting that Irabot is the role model for all positive activism, he emphasised the need of following the footsteps of the leader in shaping a better society in all aspects.
Yaima also pointed out blunders in the state in terms of socio-economic, education sectors and others and stated that the three student bodies would exert maximum effort in uplifting the society and mitigating the grievances of the student's society.
Floral tributes were offered to the portrait of Hijam Irabot by the student bodies, inmates and staff of the old age home.
On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Jana Neta Hijam Irawat, Lions Club of Imphal, in association with Lions Club of Imphal North distributed face masks and face shields to frontline workers of Sekmai Nagar Panchayat.
The distribution of masks and shields were taken with a view to safeguard the health of the sanitary workers and was a service activity of Lions Clubs International, stated a release.
President and secretary of both the Lion Clubs, W Gopimohan; vice district governor, district 322D, H Manikumar, past district governor along with members of both the Lions Clubs were present on the occasion, it stated.
Later, the members of the two Lions Clubs planted saplings at Tendongyan as a part of the Environment project. About 50 saplings were planted, it added.
In continuation of its series of activities, members of Nature Club, Haoreibi carried out a cleanliness drive in Haoreibi, Imphal West on Thursday in observance of the 125th birth anniversary of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot by strictly maintaining COVID-19 protocols.
Besides the cleanliness drive, listening to patriotic songs and narratives on life and works of Hijam Irabot was another main feature of the programme, stated a release issued by programme convener L Sanju Singh. The members revisited his sacrifices and contributions to society, it added.
In connection with the observance of the 125th birth anniversary of Jana Neta Hijam Irabot, Patsoi Makha Yaipha Lup (PAMYAL) and Women's Development Organisation (WDO) on Thursday distributed essential food items and roofing sheets to around 30 underprivileged families living in Patsoi areas in Imphal West.
The food items and the roofing sheets were donated by BJP intending candidate of Patsoi AC Wahengbam Dineshchandra. Aids were also extended to various local clubs situated within the Patsoi constituency. Monetary assistance was also extended to a kidney patient from Yengkhom Leirak who has been undergoing dialysis for a long time.
Speaking to the media, Dineshchadra emphasised the ideology and effort of Irabot for the well-being of the society.
