A CORRESPONDENT
HAFLONG: All sections of the community belonging to the 'Heraka' living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland on January 26 celebrated the 107th birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu amidst tremendous enthusiasm at a daylong detailed programme. This legendary freedom fighter has been regarded as the incarnation of 'Goddess Cherachamdinliu' by the followers of Heraka religion formed by the Zeliangrong tribes (the zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei) and was also described by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru as the 'Rani' and the 'Daughter of the Hills'. The villagers of Boro Haflong in Dima Hasao district under the aegis of 'Mpuilo Boro Haflong Youth' also organized a daylong detailed colourful function to celebrate the 107th birth anniversary of Rani Gaidinliu who was honoured with the 'Tamra Patra' in 1972, 'Padma Bhushan' in1982 by the government of India and Vivekananda Sewa Award in 1983.
Mention may be made here that in 1927 at the age of 13 years, she joined the 'Heraka' movement initiated by her cousin Haipou Jadonang for the revival of tribal religion. As Haipou Jadonang was arrested and hanged by the British in 1931, Rani Gaidinliu emerged as his spiritual and political heir.
Taking part in the birth anniversary celebration as the chief guest, media person Bhargab Kumar Das unfurled the community flag at the village community hall in presence of the villagers including women, students and youth in their traditional colourful attires. He also lit the lamp in the traditional way at the portrait of Rani Gaidinliu.
Addressing the august gathering, he made an appeal to all the citizens to follow the ideology of the legendary freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu who was awarded 14 years of conviction by the British government for taking part in the freedom struggle. "Rani Gaidinliu dedicated her life at the very tender age of 13 years to fight against the British and it is only the rare sacrifice of courageous patriots like Rani Gaidinliu that today we are breathing the air in an independent India. It is the need of the hour to shape and mould our younger generation in the proper shape only to make our society healthier with the true spirit of freedom" he appealed. He also offered the book 'Pothorughat' on the historic peasants uprising of 1894 in Darrang to the village library.
Media person Ganesh Dutta also addressed the function as the guest of honour. Addressing the function Er Keshab Kumar Sarma who took the initiative in the construction of the life-size statue of Rani Gaidinliu at Boro Haflong in 2010 recalled his days with the people of Boro Haflong. Organizing Secretary of the South zone of 'Vidya Bharati' Yogendra Singh Sisodiya also addressed the function well anchored by Suirangteule Pame and Keuriaying Newme. Earlier Haiwangchangle Zenme, Namreituing Nriame and Namkelungbe Nkuame in their speech spoke on the life and works of this legendary freedom fighter. In the evening, a cultural competition was organized followed by an attractive and colourful cultural function.
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