IMPHAL, April 20: State Governor VK Duggal released the Indian edition of Lady Belinda Morse’s Book “Calamity & Courage: A Heroine of the Raj” today in the presence of the writer.
The book release function was held at the Darbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan.
During the function, the author read out an excerpt from the book for the attendees which included the state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Judith Macaulay, Kat Macaulay and Sir Jeremy who came along with the author.
History is not static but dynamic but if we fail to learn from history, tragedy will befall again and again, said the Governor in his speech.
Governor VK Duggal in his speech had also extended a warm welcome to the author and her team.
He said when he was appointed as the Governor of the state, he had requested secretary to the Governor, RK Nimai Singh to send him a couple of books which would provide an insight into the history, the people and the cultures of the state.
One of the books he received was the “My three years in Manipur” by Ethel Grimwood.
The Governor continued that “My three years in Manipur” was simply “unputdownable” written in simple and straightforward style.
He said “the book still carries a lot of drama and romance and gives a vivid account of both the celebratory and the tragic happenings of that period.”
“All of you would have heard about the author Mrs. Belinda Morse and I will not dwell too much on her book; but will add that Ethel Grimwood’s “My three years in Manipur” though an eminently readable book and gives thorough insight into the incidents of 1891, the question as to what happened to Ethel Grimwood later on remains unanswered. Lady Morse’s book provides the answer. I have no doubt the readers will find it as equally, if not more, interesting.”
“The Manipuri ‘Puyas’ predicted the fall of ‘whites’ infront of the Kangla sha and the killing of the Englishmen in 1891 was believed by many to be the outcome of the prediction, but at the same time as we all know it changed the course of Manipur’s history.”
“1891 thus was a bad year in the relations between the two nations but with the passage of time, British left India and Manipur merged with the Union of India,” the Governor said.
“I am glad a documentary is being developed on the visit of Judith and Kat Macaulay and Sir Jeremy and Lady Belinda Morse.”
This documentary I am told will provide an avenue to compare and juxtapose the contrasting perspective of the two widely different cultures in their approach to history, the British relying solely on documentation, while Manipur relying on ballads, performing arts, oral rendition, etc, he said.
“I hope that the documentary will bring the two people even further closer so that they can work together as “one” for the common good of mankind. This is especially so as Judith Macaulay is a descendant of Frank Grimwood and this visit will be cathartic not only to her and her daughter but-to the descendants of those who fought against the British in 1891,” the Governor said.
The Governor further expressed his pleasure that the visiting team will be joining the Khongjom Day observation and witness the performance of Khongjom Parva, a ballad about the battle of Khongjom.
“The effort to bring out an Indian Edition and publish it in Manipur is indeed laudable and I congratulate the team involved in the process,” he concluded.