Commemorating the battle of Khongjom, where our forefathers fought the mighty British army at Khebaching in April, 1891, with just swords and spears, the state government yesterday paid fitting tribute to the martyred at Khongjom War Memorial Complex. Recalling the spirit, courage and sacrificed of our forefathers and paying tribute to them in Manipuri’s traditional ways mark the observance.
The last Anglo – Manipuri war – being remembered as the battle of Khongjom where our forefathers fought fearlessly at Kheba Ching was a historically important event. It was an event which proves the essence of patriotisms of our forefathers, their courage, spirit and sacrificed for the sake of their motherland. It was indeed worth praising the way that the state government organised the memorial function of the historic war in such a grand manner.
When everything was praiseworthy, two things seen during the celebration make the people ponder upon the essence of observing the day as that struck to everybody’s mind on whether the day is being observed to pay respect to our forefathers who had sacrificed fighting the mighty British force.
The observance begins by paying gun salute which was followed by “Last Post”, which is debatable as we the people are paying tribute to our forefather who fought the British troops.
The “Last Post” is either a bugle call within British infantry regiments, or a cavalry trumpet call in British cavalry and Royal Regiment of Artillery (Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Artillery), and is used at Commonwealth military funerals, and ceremonies commemorating those who have been killed in war. Its duration varies typically from a little over one minute to nearly three minutes. For ceremonial use, the Last Post is often followed by “The Rouse”, or less usually the longer “Reveille”
Playing Last Post bugle at Khongjom day commemoration is irrelevant as had its origin in British Army and with the British Legacy it is being played in military funerals and farewells in almost all the commonwealth nations. As British were enemies of Manipuries who fought at Khongjom Battle we are not doing justice to our forefathers by playing last post bugle during the Khongjom day commemoration.
On the other hand, the scene seen at the Khomjom War memorial site where the state function was organised showed a signed of reviving the VIP/VVIP culture. It is no wrong arranging separate passages for those elected representatives or the head of the state as security matters. But neglecting the passage of the common people leaving it with dirt and pebble showed how the organisers cared for common people. A clean and well maintain route for the VIPs or VVIPs and entry passage filled with dirt and pebble is nothing but showing the people that VIPs or VVIPs are more important than the common people who came to pay their tribute to the martyred Khongjom War Heroes.
