Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today released a bilingual Burmese-Manipuri souvenir commemorating the 228th death anniversary of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, at a function held at the Darbar Hall, Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Babupura, Imphal.
The souvenir has been brought out by the Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation, Manipur, in association with the Indo-Myanmar Fraternal Alliance, and is to be distributed during the Punyatithi observance of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra scheduled to be held at Mandalay, Myanmar, on October 13.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that according to historical accounts, most of the kings of Manipur spent 100 days out of one year in the hills. He said such historical experiences were significant in understanding how the elders played an important role in bringing together and facilitating interaction among the different communities living in the State and in strengthening the idea of a united Manipur.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh said that the historical and cultural presence of Manipur extends beyond the present geographical boundaries of the State. He said that in places including Assam, Dimapur and Meghalaya, elders had preserved a place and identity for Manipur, including through institutions and settlements known as Rajbari. He described this continued recognition of Manipur’s historical presence outside the State as a matter of pride for the people of Manipur.
Highlighting the legacy of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, the Chief Minister said the title “Rajarshi” reflected the fact that he was not only a king but also a spiritual leader. As a visionary ruler, he played a seminal role in introducing and establishing the Ras Lila, which has become one of the most distinguished cultural traditions of Manipur.
He said the contribution of Manipuri Ras Lila to India’s classical dance tradition is widely recognised, adding that the cultural heritage of Manipur has an important place in the broader tradition of Indian classical performing arts.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the longstanding historical relationship between Manipur and Assam. He said the geographical proximity between the two regions, along with historical links established through the marriage of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s daughter, helped strengthen the bonds between the people of Manipur and Assam. He noted that a book has also been published documenting the historical role played by Rajarshi Bhagyachandra’s daughter in strengthening ties with the people of the erstwhile Ahom Kingdom in Assam.
The Chief Minister said such historical connections demonstrate that the close cultural and social ties established between the people of Manipur and neighbouring regions in earlier times have continued into the present day. He said these bonds were among the legacies of the visionary leadership of the kings of Manipur.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh stressed that the people of Manipur should not view the State in isolation. He said considering the small geographical size of Manipur as the entire world would be a misunderstanding, as the State is surrounded by neighbouring States and inhabited by diverse communities with which it shares long-standing historical and cultural connections.
He said peaceful coexistence among all communities is essential for the development of Manipur, adding that only when different communities are able to live together peacefully can the State achieve sustained development.
Referring to the impact of the conflict that began on May 3, 2023, the Chief Minister said the government and the people of Manipur had endured considerable collateral damage, particularly in the economic sphere. He said the prolonged crisis had contributed to a decline of more than Rs. 1,200 crores in GST revenue, while frequent bandhs and blockades had further affected economic activity. Recent reports have also quoted the Chief Minister as putting the daily loss in tax revenue from bandhs and blockades at around Rs. 25–30 crore.
He said the impact of such disruptions was felt most severely by daily wage earners and other sections dependent on regular economic activity. The Chief Minister appealed to the people and civil society organisations not to resort to bandhs and blockades and urged that differences and grievances be addressed through dialogue.
Drawing an analogy from nature, Khemchand said that just as a withered flower becomes fresh again with the arrival of monsoon rain, Manipur too can regain its vitality as peace and economic activity return to the State.
He appealed to everyone to contribute towards conveying and strengthening the message of peace, coexistence and development, saying that collective efforts would help Manipur once again move forward on the path of development.
Among those present at the function were R.K. Shivachandra Singh, President, Indo Myanmar Fraternal Alliance; Kakchingtabam Brajamani Sharma, Awardee, Gita Sanman; R.K. Jitendrajit Singh, President, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation, Manipur; and Th. Dhanakumar Singh, General Secretary, Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation, Manipur, among others.
