Manipur joined the nation in celebrating the 74th Republic Day with the state function held at Kangla with Governor La Ganesan, unfurling the national flag and taking salute from different march-past contingents on Thursday.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh; cabinet ministers; Lokayukta of Manipur; Members of Parliament; Members of Legislative Assembly Constituencies; chief secretary; Director General of Police and senior civil and police officials also took part in the celebration.
The celebration began with the governor inspecting the Guard of Honour accorded by a contingent of 6th Battalion Manipur Rifles (MR) commanded by Additional Superintendent of Police (Central Motor Transport Workshop) T Bishwajit Singh.
Later, the governor unfurled the national flag amid playing of the National Anthem by 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Band and then took salute from 76 march-past contingents, including different band contingents, commanded by Commandant of 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles, Victoria Yengkhom. Apart from this, 20 different cultural troupes and tableaux of 14 different departments also took part in marching contingents following the march-past.
The chief minister said that the Centre has included two personalities from the state, Thounaojam Chaoba Singh (public affairs) and K Shanathoiba Sharma (sports) from the State for Padma Shri which are awarded to personalities for their distinguished service in any field.
CM Biren wished the people of the State on the occasion and further thanked everyone participating including students, civil police, security forces, ex-servicemen, people from different communities, civil societies and others in the successful celebration of the occasion.
He recounted his memories of participating in the Republic Day march past parade during his college days. It is under the Indian Constitution that the citizens of the country enjoy their rights and responsibilities, CM Biren added.
Further stating that India has assumed the presidency of the G-20 and that Manipur will also be hosting meetings as part of the presidency as in other parts of the country, the Chief Minister has urged support from the people for the successful hosting of the meetings.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has become a leading nation in various fields including defence production, economy, automobile and others.
Meanwhile, during the celebration at Kangla, officers and personnel of Manipur Police, Manipur Central Jail and Manipur Fire Service Department were decorated by the Governor with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Gallantry on the occasion of Independence Day, 2021, Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Independence Day, 2021, Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Police Training, 2020-2021, President Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service, President Correctional Service Medals for Meritorious Service and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
Director General of Police (Prison) and Managing Director (Manipur Police Housing Corporation Limited) Christopher Doungel, received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service.
Inspector, commando Imphal West Gunachandra Chanam and Head Constable (HC), 8th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) Hijam Eshworchandra Singh were decorated with the Police Medal for Gallantry.
Police Medal for Meritorious Service was accorded to Superintendent of Police (SP), Vigilance and Anti-Corruption S Gautam Singh; Deputy Superintendent of Police/CID (SB) Th Gojen Singh; Inspector (Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) Konthoujam Bobby; Subedar, 1st MR Akoijam Bhogendro Singh; Subedar, 1st IRB Sanasam Raju Singh; Jemadar (MPTC) Konjengbam Priyojit Singh; HC/CID (SB) M Parpa Chothe and Assistant Sub-Inspector, Imphal West Sarangthem Joychandra Meetei.
Subedar (MPTC) Maibam Babu Meitei; Subedar (MPTC) Potsangbam Robert Singh; Jemadar Lukram Lenin Meetei and Rifleman (MPTC) Kongbrailatpam Premsunder Shrama received the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Police Training.
Retired deputy superintendent N Hemantakumar Singh was accorded with President Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service, while Chief Head Warder W Didymus Tangkhul; Head Warder Jilkhokai Touthang; Warder Khupzalam Neishil; Warder L Robindro Singh and Retired Chief Head Warder Thamsel Lamkang were accorded with President Correctional Service Medals for Meritorious Service.
Apart from this, Fireman M Romendro Singh and Lanamei Benjamin of the Fire Service Department received the Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service.
