Imphal, April 15,
Remembering the historic moment when the tri-colour flag of India was first hoisted on this soil on the 14th April, 1944 that marked the beginning of the end of British Rule, Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla stated that the occasion evokes a deep feeling of pride in her because the INA traversed through the State of Manipur on its historic campaign to Free India from the British on the call given by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
“The occasion carries a special meaning for me as my grand uncle, Maulana Abul Kalam Saheb was also a freedom fighter for India’s Independence, a contemporary of Netaji”, Dr. Heptulla said.
The Governor of Manipur also wished the people of Manipur – a very happy new year on the occasion of Cheiraoba and also congratulated pugilist MC Mary Kom on winning gold in the women’s 48 kg boxing final held last Saturday at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
She was speaking as Chief Guest at the 74th Anniversary of Flag Hoisting Day at I.NA. Martyr’s Memorial Complex, Moirang on Sunday. The event was observed to commemorate the historic event of the first hoisting of the Tri-Colour Flag of Free India at Moirang under the leadership of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Art & Culture Minister, L Jayantakumar Singh; MLA & Govt. Chip Whip, P. Sharatchandra Singh; Commissioner, Art & Culture, Transport & Power, M Lakshmikumar Singh; Member of Lok Sabha , Prahlad Singh Patel and & grand nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Chandra Kumar Bose shared the dais with the Governor at the function.
This 74th Anniversary also reminds us of Netaji’s clarion call ‘Delhi chalo’ at Singapore on October 21, 1943.Slogans in pre-independence period reverberated with great themes like Purna Swaraj, Quit India, ‘Do or Die’ and ‘Delhi Chalo’., she said.
Let Subhash Chandra Bose’s life and that of other freedom fighters continue to be a beacon to all Indians, lighting up the path they follow, she also said by reminding Netaji’s remarkable contribution & the saga of valour and sacrifices he did to free India from the British clutches.
Speaking as the President of the function, Minister L Jayantakumar said that Moirang has remained a great historical significance in India’s freedom struggle as it was made the Advanced Headquarters of the Provisional Government of free India.
Guest of Honour Chandra Kumar Bose who is also a Social activist said that Moirang is the sacred place where Bharatiyas of the Ajad Hind Fauj fought for the freedom of our nation.
Governor Dr Najma has mentioned the relationship and close ties that her ancestors and my ancestors have during the freedom movement, he stated. Maulana Azad and Netaji were two national icons who fought for a united India and in fact this is the place where Colonel Shaukat Malik hoisted the National Tri-Colour for a united India, he said by reminiscing the importance of Moirang in the Indian freedom struggle from the historical point of view.
Prahlad Singh Patel Member of Lok Sabha , said that the day is a memorable in the history of the country as it was on the 14 April 1944 , the Indian tricolour flag was hoisted for the first time on a liberated Indian soil.
The Indian Tri-Colour Flag was hoisted along with the rituals ceremony.
Floral tributes were paid to the giant statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose while Khamba Thoibi and Dhol Cholom traditional dances were also presented during the function.
