Imphal: Manipur celebrated the 76th Independence Day in pomp and splendour.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh unfurled the tricolour and inspected a guard of honour on Monday at Manipur Rifles parade ground.
N Biren appealed to the people to honour the national flag and keep it with respect and dignity after the celebrations.
He thanked the people for the support given to the government to observe Har Ghar Tiranga and expressed happiness that the tricolour was flown in every nook and corner of the state including the international border and the peaks.
The government is paying more emphasis on start-up schemes and this year the budget has been increased from Rs 30 to 100 cr.
He further said the government firmly believes in rooting out corruption and the government providing the best communication system in the state. New technology and materials will be used for road works and new helipads will be constructed to provide helicopter services, he added.
The Imphal Mandalay bus service is on the pipeline and the time has come to protect the environment and conserve electricity and other natural resources.
He said the government buys electricity at the rate of Rs 11.72 per unit and sells it at Rs 5.79 per unit to the people. N Biren Singh added that for the past year, the glorious history of the people, culture and achievements have been celebrated and commemorated across the country under the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The campaign was launched on March 12, 2021, with five aspects – Freedom Struggle, Ideas at 75, Achievements at 75, Actions at 75 and Resolve at 75, the Chief Minister added.
He appealed to all to rededicate to the ideals of democracy and service to the nation and also harness the potential of being one of the youngest nations in the world to achieve our dream of self-reliance in every sector.
Raj Bhavan, Manipur and Chief Minister’s Secretariat also observed the day.
Chief Minister unfurled the tricolour at the Secretariat while Secretary to Governor Bobby Waikhom unfurled the National Flag at the Raj Bhavan and the general salute was given by a contingent of CRPF.
National Anthem was also sung during the Celebration. Officers and staff of Raj Bhavan and security personnel stationed at the Raj Bhavan attended the Celebration.
Manipur Governor La Ganesan said in a message that the people of the country have been celebrating Independence Day on August 15 since 1947 as a way of paying homage to the sacrifices of the leaders and millions of their followers in the long struggle for freedom.
He said during the last seven decades after independence, India has made great strides in all fields and is targeting to be in the comity of leading nations of the world.
Chief Minister N Biren handed over prizes in various categories to government officials, police and civilians on the occasion. Cultural programmes were also performed by various troupes.
The celebrations were held under tight security as the Coordination Committee (CorCom), an umbrella body of the revolutionary groups operating in Manipur imposed a total shut down on the day.
Security personnel were posted in all important places and combing operations were conducted for the last few days to stop militants from disturbing the celebrations.
The Manipur government also carried out the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
Bringing the flag home collectively as a nation in the 75th year of independence thus becomes symbolic of not only an act of personal connection to the Tiranga but also an embodiment of our commitment to nation-building.
The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.
