Dr. R.K. Ranjan Singh Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, while attending the inaugural session of a two-day seminar on Prince Narendrajit / Ranjit Singh and the 1857 war of India’s Independence at Assam University Silchar echoed that looking into the strategic geographic location of Cachar, a riverine culture study centre should be incorporated in Assam University.

He was the chief guest of the inaugural function which was attended by Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy as special guest, Tripura University Vice Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasain, Assam University Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. Sajal Nag, Manipur Seva Samiti Imphal President Dr. Ch. Chandramani Singh, Assam University Registrar Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath, and others.

In 1857, India’s first independence struggle, the wave of sepoy mutiny swept across the Upper East as well. Although the North East leader Rajkumar Narendrajit had an immense contribution to that rebellion, his name did not appear in the pages of history.

The two-day seminar began with the contribution of freedom fighter Rajkumar Narendrajit organised by Manipur Seva Samiti, Imphal, Intellectual Forum of North East Manipur and North East India Habitat People Front, Assam at Bipin Chandra Pal Conference Hall, in Assam University.

 Dr. Singh said that the unsung heroes should be celebrated and let us rewrite history and not deliberately hide facts as history and geography cannot be factually wrong. Looking into the historic events which took place in the Barak Valley region, Dr. Singh advocated the need for a riverine culture study centre in order to bring out the factual part and preserve the cultural way of life.

Dr. Singh further echoed the statement of PM Modi ‘to remove the colonial mindset’ so that new ideas and thought processes can take shape.

Talking about Narendrajit Singh Minister said that Narendrajit was an important person in the history of the Indian freedom struggle, particularly in Cachar and the erstwhile kingdom of Tripura and Manipur. He further said that he feels that there is a need for more literature on such an important person. There is a need for authentication and documentation on the historical battle of Latur and Binakandi, he stated. Dr. Singh echoed that he will mark Dec 18 as a day to pay respect to such an unsung hero.

Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy stated that we need to stand up and take history to a factual level in order to teach the next generation about the past so that we can be proud of ourselves. He further informed that Assam Government is soon going to recognise the Manipuri language as a state language which has been already decided by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government.

Tripura University Vice Chancellor Ganga Prasad Prasanna while wholeheartedly welcoming the initiative advised scholars to do research at the micro level about those who fought against the British. Therefore it is high time it is important to record in the books of history the role of Prince Narendrajit Singh.

Assam University Pro Vice Chancellor Sajal Nag a historian himself informed that Prince Narendrajit Singh is not unsung but is a celebrity in this part of the region as people believe he is alive and will once again come into their lives.

Earlier Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath, Registrar of Assam University welcomed Dr R.K. Ranjan Singh wholeheartedly and requested him to grace the University more in the coming days.

Dr. Ch. Chandramani Singh, President Manipur Seva Samity informed that the next seminar is going to take place in Imphal. 

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