The Manipuri Meitei Association, Bangalore (MMAB) on Sunday organised the 133rd Patriots’ Day Celebration in Bengaluru and also launched a football-friendly event called 'Fields of Hope', aiming to promote peace and normalcy on the occasion.
MMAB President, Maj Rajkumar Jhaljit Singh (Retd) and MMAB General Secretary, Nongthombam John Singh, in a release, honored the martyrs of the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891 for their sacrifices and paid tributes to their courage and determination.
It stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's naming of the third highest peak in the Andamans as Mount Manipur acknowledges the war's significance.
The 'Field of Hope' event was kicked off by Taekwondo Grand Master, Oja Wahegbam Rajshwor and India ex-Fencing National Coach, Oja Irom Deban, it said. Players from diverse backgrounds, including Tripura, Nagaland, Naga community from Manipur, Meitei Pangal and Meitei participated in the football match, it mentioned.
Chairman of Codava National Counsil and member of VHS, Advocate Nachappa Codava and Inner Manipur MP, Agomcha Bimol Akoijam were among those present at the event, it stated.
Speaking on the sidelines, Bimol Akoijam said MMAB's 'Fields of Hope' is the most unifying event, especially in these trying times when many aspire to live in peace and equality, it stated. He further urged all to remember our ancestors and martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice, it added.
The 'Fields of Hope' initiative was launched to promote peace and normalcy in violence hit Manipur, it asserted. Through sports, MMAB aims to bridge divides, heal wounds, and unite communities, it stated.
Holding a lamp-lighting ceremony, paying floral tributes to the martyrs, performance by a military band and cultural displays including patriotic songs and a Manipuri dance by Naga and Meitei communities were the main highlights of the event, it noted.
President of the Manipur Cricket Association cum MLA, RK Imo and Sri Sri Ravishankar also extended their wishes for the event and lauded MMAB's vital role in fostering connections and unity among communities and promoting peace in Manipur and the Northeast, it added.
