Special Correspondent
Silchar: “Bir Tikendrajit Singh, the crowned prince of Manipur, who laid down his life along with his general Thangal for protecting the territorial integrity of the state against British imperialist design, has gone down in the annals of history as a hero of supreme sacrifice and extraordinary valour,” said Prof K Nayan Chanda Singha, guest of honour, former, head, dept of Manipuri of Guucharan College, Silchar, on the occasion of the great patriot and nationalist’s 128th martyrdom day observation organised by the department of Manipuri of the premier institution in Silchar on Tuesday held in the auditorium. Prof Singha delved deep into the background against which Bir Tikendrajit was crowned, his revolt and his hanging and also that of his general on this day of 1891 when the British took control of Manipur. He described his hanging as quite arbitrary and against all cannons of justice and humanity.
Prof Jyoti Lal Chowdhury, speaking as chief guest recounted the indomitable spirit and unconquerable soul of Bir Tikendrajit Singh and said, “His sacrifice for the cause of the country was in keeping with the glorious tradition of Manipuris to be free and independent and not to be subservient to any foreign power.” He described Manipur as “a land of warriors and fighters.” On this day, Tributes go to all the known and unknown patriots. On August 11, martyrdom of Khudiram Bose was recalled. Prof Chowdhury touched upon the not so known part of history when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose opened front on Imphal-Kohima axis with the support of the last King of Manipur, Budhachandra Singh, against the British during World War !!. INA flag was hoisted at Moirang on April 14, 1944.
It was this great spirit of self pride and glory of Bir Tikendrajit Singh which continues to inspire and encourage the younger generation today, pointed Dr Ashesh Bhattacharya, vice-principal of the College. He exhorted the young students not to fiddle with mobile phones and other technical gadgets purposelessly. Rather, they should use them to know about great freedom fighters like Bir Tikendrajit Singh, Khudiram Bose, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and other patriots and emulate their ideals and the path shown by them.
Prof Moinul Haque, head, department of history, gave a brief account of the history of Manipur and the crowning of Bir Tikendrajit Singh as the crown prince at the most crucial phase. Dr Bibhas Deb, principal, in his presidential address summing up the discussion, called upon the youths and students to study all about the great revolutionaries to enrich and ennoble themselves. At the outset, Dr Anju Devi, head, department of Manipuri, explained briefly the objective behind the observance of the martyrdom of Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal and other patriots. The programme was ably conducted by Lakhitombi Singha, a student of 5th Semester.