Meitei Leepun, a socio-cultural organisation based in Manipur observed the Birth Anniversary of the late Maharaja Hirachandra, at their Langol office in Imphal with their Chief, Pramot Singh and organisation members gracing the ceremony. Floral tributes were offered and members from various places attended the solemn function.

While speaking at the gathering, Pramot Singh stated that  Meitei Leepun represents Hirachandra’s legacy, and the organization’s task is to strengthen the Meitei community and maintain good relationships with indigenous people. But he also reminded, that, people should not forget about the ongoing war.

Pramot Singh echoed that without strengthening the Meitei community, it would be impossible to protect Manipur because Meitei is the only group carrying forward the idea of Manipur. He attributed the confusion to a historical focus on safeguarding Manipur without understanding the need for strengthening the Meitei.

Furthermore, he clarified that Meitei Leepun’s task is to promote the identity of Meitei and not religion. He stressed that Meitei should not be considered a tribe but an identity of the nation-state, emphasizing Meitei as a race. For instance, “Tangkhul have homogeneity in looks and culture. It is a tribe. In Meitei, there is no homogeneity. We have different religions such as Guadiya and Meitei. Meitei is a race. We are not just a tribe.”

For Meitei Leepun, ‘our job is to protect our property and land within the framework of law’, echoed Chief Pramot Singh.

The members from various locations who attended the ceremony showered their respect to the late leader in a most disciplined and systematic manner highlighting the working culture, training and mandate evolved by the socio-cultural movement of Meitei Leepun.