IMPHAL, January 17: The Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary cum Indigenous Cultural Festival, the grand finale of the year-long birth centenary celebration will be observed from January 22nd and 23rd January at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi with the theme, “Celebrating the Indomitable Spirit of Rani Gaidinliu” to honour the veteran freedom.
In a statement Mathiupuang Gonmei, chairman of the centenary festival committee, informed that the event is an initiative of Rani Gaidinliu Birth Centenary cum Indigenous Cultural Festival Organizing Committee under the aegis of the Zeliangrong Welfare Association Delhi (ZWAD) and Zeliangrong Students’’ Union, Delhi (ZSUD).
As a part of the centenary celebration, various commemorative events have been organized in different parts of the country to honour the great patriot by different organizations besides the official events of the Government of India, it said.
It mentioned that Rani Gaidinliu was awarded many State honours such as Tamrapatra Award, Padma Bhusan, Swami Vivekananda Seva Award, Birsa Munda Award etc. Government of India also instituted national awards known as Stree Shakti Puraskar Award in the memory of five renowned daughters of India including Rani Gaidinliu for their outstanding services to the nation.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology will be the chief guest of the Event. P.B. Acharya, Governor of Assam & Nagaland and Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS, Ministry of DoNER (Independent Charge), PMO; Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space would grace the occasion as Guests of Honour, it said.
In addition, many other prominent citizens and admirers of Rani Gaidinliu would also be attending the function, it said adding that cultural troops from all the eight North Eastern states and other parts of the country are going to participate in the mega event.
According to the committee, the cultural programme is being organized to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people from the North East India. The Committee intends to use this event as platform for cultural exchange programme for people from different parts of the country so that the participants/citizens of the country can witness, acknowledge and respect the cultural diversities of India, it added.
National level Seminar, Poster Campaign, Quiz Competition, Birth Centenary Souvenir and a Book, Mementos, Sweat-shirts & T-shirts, etc. on Rani Gaidinliu are some of the year-long activities initiated by the Committee.
This national level indigenous cultural festival is being organized in the capital city of the country by bringing all sections of the society in memory of one of the greatest icons and defender of indigenous culture to cherish her indomitable spirit.
The first day would witness cultural extravaganza from different parts of the country. Cultural dance competition, cultural fashion parade, folk songs etc. are some of the highlights of the day.
The second day of the festival would be devoted to “National Seminar on State, Society and Nationalism: Relevance of Rani Gaidinliu in the Contemporary Society”.
Tarun Vijay, MP and Dr. Rosemary, Director, Women Studies Centre, Nagaland University would be the Resource Persons in the Seminar, continued the statement.