Imphal : The state-level celebration of Meri Maati Mera Desh was held today at Imphal with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh gracing the function as chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh extended his best wishes on the celebration of Meri Maati Mera Desh, adding that the campaign was started from 9^th August across the country to pay tribute to those great leaders who have made the supreme sacrifice for the motherland.

The campaign has been organised as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is being celebrated for 75 weeks, starting from 12^th March, 2021 in connection with the 75 years of Indian Independence, he added.

He continued that over 2 lakhs programmes had been organized across the country under this campaign. In this campaign, history, culture and other development activities are being showcased, he added.

The Chief Minister elaborated that the campaign comprised five important activities and ceremonies conducted across the country at Panchayat/Village, Block, Urban Local Body, State and National levels, including Shilaphalakam, ‘Panch Pran’ Pledge, Vasudha Vandhan (planting 75 saplings of indigenous species and develop the ‘Amrit Vatika’), Veeron Ka Vandan (honouring the freedom fighters and the families of deceased freedom fighters) and Rashtragaan (Hoisting of the National Flag and singing of National Anthem).

N. Biren further stressed that as a part of the campaign, soil from different parts of the country had been brought to Kartavya Path located at New Delhi and then Amrit Vatika had been developed by planting different Indigenous trees. Expressing the importance of taking Panch Pran pledge, he elaborated on the Panch Pran which includes to make India developed and self-reliant by 2047, to remove any trace of colonial mindset, to celebrate our heritage, to strengthen unity and respect those who protect the country and to perform the duties of a citizen.

Regarding the campaign in Manipur, he informed that 20,146 people took Panch Pran pledge and 364 Shilaphalakams had been erected by bringing soil from all the 16 districts of the State. 698 Amrit Vatikas had been developed with 41,273 tree saplings being planted. Apart from this, 505 ceremonies were held on Veeron Ka Vandan and hoisting of the National Flag and singing of the National Anthem, he continued.

The Chief Minister also expressed proud feelings on the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 at the lunar south pole, becoming the first country to do so. He further expressed satisfaction, stating that Dr Raghu Ningthoujam, a native of Manipur was part of the mission as Project Manager.

  Speaking on the current unrest in the State, N. Biren stated the State is going through a crucial path. At this juncture, if we take the right step, we can save the rights of the indigenous people, adding that the interest of future generations will be affected, if we are moved by vested interest, he added. He further stressed the need to think many times before taking a step so that negative consequences do not follow in future.

The Chief Minister further appealed to the people to have trust in the Government, adding that the latter would not do anything against the interest of the people.

He stressed the need for all people of the State to stand united at all times, irrespective of communities or political affiliation and work together to make a better future for Manipur. Let us all respect our history, culture and traditions and also take pledge, as a citizen of India, to make India a self-reliant country, he appealed. 

The celebration was attended by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Thongam Biswajit, Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Health Minister Dr. Sapam Ranjan, Public Health Engineering Minister Leishangthem Susindro, Social Welfare Minister Heikham Dingo, Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Chairman, Manipur Electronics Development Corporation Sapam Kunjakeswor and senior Government officials among others.