IMPHAL, September 26: The Lamyanba Irabot Ningshing Thouram Observation Committee (LINTOC) under the aegis of the Protection and Preservation Committee Manipur (PPCM) organized a public meeting today to observe the 64th death anniversary of Lamyanba Irabot here at SEACO Club, Yaiskul.
The function was attended by LINTOC convenor Thounaojam Iboyaima, who is also the president of Irabot Foundation, Manipur, LINTOC co-convenor Joy Nongmaithemcha, who is also the president of All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association and PPCM convenor Dr Y Mani Khuman, who is also the president of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organization (AMUCO) as presidium members.
Prof Dr Rajendro Kshetri of Sociology Department, Manipur University, Dr Chinglen Maisnam of Economics Department, Manipur University and Soibamcha Indrakumar, Director of IGPA spoke as resource persons at the function.
Prof Dr Rajendro Kshetri speaking at the function said that Lamyanba Irabot’s view of nationalism can be defined as a ‘progressive and constructive nationalism’ in which actions or ideas used in the movement concerns only development of one’s community or people without disturbing the interest of other communities.
The nationalism movement he started against the British rule as well the King from 1930s till the time of his death in 1951 was based on this kind of nationalism that is ‘progressive and constructive nationalism,’ he further said.
He said the Naga nationalism movement which was started by Phizo, who was known as the father of Naga nationalism, was a very constructive one however the present Naga nationalism movement is heading in a direction which can cause harm to the interest of other communities.
Irabot had always warned us from such kind of nationalist movements, he said while adding that Irabot during his entire struggle never favoured the formation of a separate Meitei nation or Naga nation or Kuki nation.
He said Irabot was a visionary leader who could see what will happen in the next 50 or 100 years to come.
Irabot always emphasised on the need for promoting the local language in order to safeguard the identity of that particular community which was also the reason why he started the hand written journal ‘Meitei Chanu,’ the professor said.
He said that Irabot introduced Marxism in Manipur with a reinterpretation of the theory to suit the local scenario.
The main objective of his revolutionary movement was to establish an independent socialist republic in South East Asia, he maintained.
He promoted a ‘living Marxism’ which was very different from the way other forms promoted by Marxist revolutionaries of India and was more similar to the Marxism started by Mao Tse-tung in China, Prof Dr Rajendro said.
However, according to the books and research works on Irabot which are available to us, Irabot did not even know who Mao Tse-tung was, the professor maintained.
He urged the research scholars and academicians of the State to do more research work on Irabot instead of only remembering the great leader and paying floral tributes on his birth and death anniversaries.
Prof Rajendro said according to his research Irabot had a habit of maintaining diaries of his daily activities.
He urged the people who have any knowledge of the dairies to bring them out in public forums so that more research works can be done and more unanswered questions be amswered.
Dr Chinglen stressed on Irabot’s idea on the role of women in building a society where human don’t harm another human and live with respect and equality.
Commenting on the present issue in the hills districts of the State he said, “They claimed that the bills passed are to infringe upon tribal lands but what they don’t see here is that the real threat to their lands and resources is from the big corporate houses which will soon arrive in Manipur. On the other hand what they are scared of now is only their shadows.”
Meanwhile, the Irawat Celebration Committee, Manipur also observed the 64th death anniversary of Hijam Irawat as “State Mourn Day” at Irawat Bhavan Complex, Imphal.
The function was attended by M Ibohal, a close associate of the leader, MSC/CPI Control Commission chairman B Sharma; ICC Manipur chairman N Mangi, MSC/CPI state secretary Dr M Nara, MSC/CPI deputy secretary L Thoiren, MSC/CPI secretariat member L Iboyaima, ICC Manipur secretary L Sotinkumar, MSC CPI secretariat members A Lala, Kh Surchand and other executive members of the Manipur State Committee/Communist Party of India.
A two-minute silence was observed and floral tributes paid by members of the Manipur State Committee/Communist Party of India as a mark of respect to the departed soul of the visionary leader.