IMPHAL, Aug 16 : As in other parts of the country, the 70th Independence Day was celebrated at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles ground yesterday.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, who attended the occasion as the chief guest, unfurled the tricolour amidst the National anthem.
He inspected a colourful parade and took salute from different parade contigents.
Speaking at the occasion, Okram Ibobi said that the State Government has drafted a new ILPS Bill. He said that efforts were put in to avoid loopholes and uphold the interest of different communities while drafting the Bill.
Saying that the new Bill has been made public and uploaded on websites, the Chief Minister sought critiques and suggestions from the public.
Ibobi said that the State Government has given thrust in developing human resource development.
After Manipur University and RIMS became Central Government institutes, JNIMS had been upgraded to the status of a medical college apart from setting up of many institutes of technical and higher studies like MIT, NIT, IIIT, Technical University, National Sports Academy and Cultural University and State Film and Television Institute.
He also said that the State now has an IT Park as well.
Ibobi further said that with an aim to enhance sports infrastructure and produce good sportspersons, mini sports complexes are being developed at all the districts.
Acknowledging the contribution of Manipur in the field of sports, the Centre has approved setting up a Sports University in the State and it is a matter of pride that six sportspersons from the tiny State are taking part in the ongoing Rio Olympics, Ibobi said.
Speaking further on the achievements of his Government, Ibobi said that construction of the capitol project, Assembly complex, High Court building, City Convention Centre and mini secretariats in all the districts had been completed while construction of civil secretariat in Imphal is in progress.
Regarding surface connectivities, the Chief Minister said that his Government had widened and revamped the National Highways apart from constructing many roads in interior and rural areas under PMGSY.
Saying that laying railway track of Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal is progressing, Ibobi said that his Government has pressed the Centre to extend the railway line up to border town Moreh.
Despite all these works, the State still needs development in many areas, he said.
In this regard, the Chief Minister also sought support and co-operation from the public.
The Chief Minister pinned medals and commendations on police, MR and IRB personnel.
Recipients of Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Independence Day 2014 were Havildar K Nando Kom, Inspector H Rameshwar, Constable S Brojendro, 6th IRB Commandant Md Firoz Khan, Sub-Inspector Kiyangsu Anthony and Havildar Akshay Kumar Pradhan. Constable Guite Khamzamung was decorated with Police Medal for Gallantry, Republic Day, 2015, and Inspector S Khomdon with President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Republic Day, 2015.
Ex-Servicemen, BSF, CRPF, Manipur Rifles, Mizoram police, Home Guards, Fire Service, NCC, Civil Defence, civil police, Sainik School, colleges and schools took part in a colourful march past parade.
4th IRB Commandant Ningshen Wurngam was the parade commander.
Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs and top officials of different Departments also attended the occasion. DIPR also celebrated the day at DIPR complex yesterday. Director Meghachandra Kongbam unfurled the National flag.
Sadar Hills had one of its grandest Independence Day celebrations at Kangpokpi Government High School ground yesterday.
Additional DC Sadar Hills, DK Thangboi, who graced the occasion as chief guest hoisted the tricolour flag on the occasion of India’s 70th Independence Day yesterday.
About 20 contingents took part in the Independence Day parade at Sadar Hills.
Independence Day was also celebrated at Eklavya Model Residential School, Gamnom Sapormeina, jointly organised by the school and A Coy of 25 Assam
