IMPHAL, September 28: The Khongjom War Memorial Trust observed the 22nd Khongjom Tarpan today at the Khongjom River near the Khongjom War Memorial Complex in memory of the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the land.
Thousands thronged the Khongjom River for the ceremonial offering of tarpan and paying homage to the martyrs.
The observation was attended by Manipur titular king Ningthou Leishemba Sanajaoba Singh, Khongjom War Memorial Trust president and ex-minister Moirangthem Hemanta, advisor of the trust and ex-minister Vivek Raj Wangkhem among others.
Titular king Leishamba Sanajaoba and Hemanta led the people in offering tarpan to the martyrs who had laid down their lives for the land.
People also offered floral tributes to a statue of Paona Brajabashi .
Speaking at the formal function held inside the community hall, Khongjom War Memorial Complex after the offering of tarpan, Leishemba said it is time for all communities residing in the State to come together and build a united Manipur.
The brave martyrs made supreme and selfless sacrifices for the cause of their motherland and protected it for long, he said.
If we fail to learn the lessons that their selfless sacrifices teaches us and inspire ourselves to safeguard our land, building a future would be hard considering the present developments, he added.
The titular king also prayed for the martyrs to accept the offerings of the people and help the people imbibe their ideals of bravery and sacrifices.
Hemanta said during the month of `Langban`™ the Meiteis make offerings to their forefathers.
The Khongjom War Memorial Trust has been observing the Langban Chara Tamba (Khongjom tarpan) since 1994 at the Khongjom War Memorial Complex paying respect to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifices for the land, he said.
In the past, the leaders made selfless sacrifices to safeguard and protect the land, however, today`™s leaders do not have that quality, he lamented.
Today, our leaders find their post more important than protecting the people and the land, he continued.
The trust has been urging the State government to install a long sword on top of the Kheba Ching Khongjom which was already approved by both the Chief Minister and the Centre, however, now it has been informed that the sword will not be installed, he said.
Nevertheless, even if the government will not provide any aid, the trust, with the help of people, will certainly install the sword opposite to the place where the people are offering tarpan, he added.
He further said that the government had not provided a single rupee during the construction of the gate of the complex and the trust had constructed it on their own.