Dressed in Thadou-Kuki traditional attire, Khamtang, Kengoo Zuringla, deputy commissioner of Kangpokpi district, on the occasion of Independence Day 2022 celebration said let the celebration of 75 years of India's Independence be 75 points of positivity to let soar the freedom above all odds and adversity.
The traditional dress was much to the delight of thousands of Kangpokpi denizens who came to celebrate the national day on Monday at Brig M Thomas Ground in Kangpokpi district Headquarters. The programme was organised by the District Administration Kangpokpi
DC Zuringla, as the chief guest, hoisted the tricolor amid cheers and applauds accompanied by the National Anthem which was beautifully sung by the students of JNV Kangpokpi, after having the Guard of Honour and inspection of the parade with a decorated vehicle.
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Led by L Sheimang Khongsai, DSP Gamnom Saparmeina Police Station, the lively 18 parade contingents, including A/143 Battalion CRPF, personnel of Kangpokpi police, VDF, school students, ex-servicemen, 14th Battalion Manipur NCC Elite Higher Secondary School, Kangpokpi, differently-abled persons, Anganwadi workers, etc. who were at their best, marched pleasingly past the podium and saluted the Chief Guest who honestly received the salutation under the flattering tricolor standing by the podium flanked by Amrita Sinha, IPS, the Superintendent of Police.
Addressing the gathering, the DC said this is a special occasion for all the countrymen to commemorate the birth of a free nation after the relentless efforts and sacrifices of our freedom fighters and revolutionaries against oppressive British rule.
While paying due respect to the Indian freedom fighters, Zuringla said that the cellular jail in Andaman and Nicobar Island speaks of the harsh reality of the cruelty, solitary confinement, deprivation, hunger, torture, forced labor, and for many, death for independent activists.
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She continued, "It is worth remembering that having lived a life of about 200 years of caste and color divide, the nation makers adopted a constitution, that will end such discrimination, and suppression, and safeguard the dignity and equality of every citizen of the country, in free independent country, India".
However, the DC said that in the diversified colorful tapestry of culture and community, a unified country, and develop country is our greatest challenge. She urged the people to maintain peace and harmony while practicing tolerance, and respect each other's differences in thought and faith among others.
Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organisations, and Kangpokpi Youth Union were awarded for their immense contribution towards War on Drugs to make Kangpokpi a drug-free town.
CHC Saikul under Dr John Lupheng, Medical Officer, was awarded top performing hospital both at the state and district level for the successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) scheme by providing free cashless treatment to a huge number of beneficiaries of the scheme.
Three bravehearts from Twilang area in Kangpokpi, namely, Lenggoumang Kipgen (Manipur police) of Tujang Vaichong, Mankumar Yogi, Chairman, Lamchok village, and Lunkhomang Khongsai, a health worker at Tujang Vaichong were befittingly awarded for their prompt action in saving the life of a female health worker.
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It was on March 22 this year, when Nurse Mangaila of Phoklong village, Tamenglong district, while crossing the Twilang river at Tujang Vaichong in her Gypsy, was washed away by the strong current of the river. However, the three bravehearts, swiftly jumped into the strong current of the river and saved the precious life of the nurse with the help of others, and even evacuated the Gypsy from washing away by the strong river.
Winners of painting and slogan writing on Har Ghar Tiranga were also awarded during the occasion. Altogether, 6,062 comprising 3,273 in painting and 2,789 in slogan writing participated in the competition.
Around 75 employees from various departments were also awarded appreciation certificates while participation certificates were awarded to the march pass contingents.
The awards were handed over by DC Zuringla, Amrita Sinha, SP Kangpokpi, and N Ganesh, DFO Kangpokpi.
Surprisingly, no red blankets were distributed to the village chiefs this Independence Day, for which, many village chiefs who attended the occasion were not happy considering that earlier in the past, the village chiefs were recognised with a red blanket.
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The village chiefs also felt insulted at the national event.
Meanwhile, school authorities also conveyed their disappointment to the District Administration for not providing cash rewards to the march pass contingents like in the previous events.
Earlier, march pass contingents were usually paid a certain amount of money in recognition of their time and energy spent during rehearsals and on the day.
Differently-abled persons from the district joining the march pass was the heart-warming moment of the occasion while the display of cultural dance from diverse communities in the district, including the Thadou-Kuki cultural dance from Kholmun Veng Youth Club, Liangmei cultural dance from Makhan Youth Club, Nepali cultural dance from Kalapahar, and Meitei cultural dan from Motbung Meitei Youth club marked the occasion.
Village chiefs, ex-ADC Sadar Hills Chairman, Haokholal Hangshing, KTC, KWWO, KYU, and various district civil society organizations, apart from the district level officers, also attended the occasion.
