Sobhapati Samom
IMPHAL, June 28
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he three-month-long commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the battle of Imphal (World War II) concluded with a formal closing function at the MFDC auditorium here in presence of who’s who of Manipur and foreign diplomats from Britain, the United States, Australia and Japan this evening.
Manipur Governor VK Duggal speaking in the closing function stressed the need to have an advanced planning in order to make the 75th anniversary of the battle of Imphal a mega event.
“I hope during the 75th anniversary celebration,besides the Col Comdts of the Indian regimentsa that took part in the great battle,representatives from more nations will be invited and will be part of the commemoration as there were Nepali regiment,men from Africa and other countries who had participated”, Duggal added. “This year’s commemoration has again brought the memories back to the Manipuri psyche and the chances it made to the Manipuris society”.“The challenge before us is how well we can tell the story of what happened in Manipur during the war and develop the related heritage in a manner that makes it intensify,alternative and enriching for visitors,” says Manipur Chief Minister OkramIbobi Singh while acknowledging the effort of the organising such an event while speaking on the occasion. “We also need to explore how along with preserving the war memorabilia,we also need to spread further message of peaceful co-existence in the world.”
Chief Minister also stated that Manipur has potential of being one of the best tourist destination,attracting both domestic tourists and those from abroad. By observing and maintaining the artifacts and exhibits of World War II,Manipur can have a new feather in its cap by becoming a WWII tourist destination.
Besides ArambamAngamba of 2ns WW Imphal campaign Foundationn, the First secretary (defence)Jane Spicer of the Australian high commission to India,Colonel Larry J Redmon,military attaché Embassy of USA,British Deputy High Commissioner to India Scott Furssedonn Wood, Dr Hugo Slim,Grandson of Field Marshall William Slim(1891-1970) who commanded the 14 (Forgotten)Army during the Burma campaign during WW II also spoke during the closing function.
It may be mentioned that the three month long commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the battle of Imphal (World War II) was started from March 23 onwards by holding series of gatherings and functions at the various battle fields in the state.
On Friday a, memorial service was held to pay tribute to the departed soldiers of Imphal battle which was termed as the most fierce battle involving the Britishers during the historic World War II.
Most of the foreign diplomats while speaking on the occasion shared their feelings over the participation of their countrymen in the historic World War II battles in the region.
“I was honoured to visit place like this (Imphal),”says Dr Hugo slim, Grandson of Field Marshall William Slim(1891-1970) who commanded the 14 (Forgotten)Army. “I think many people like me will definitely visit here and shared the historic moments with their near and dear ones in the days to come”. Dr Hugo Slim is a senior research fellow and associate Director of Oxford Institute of Ethics,Lawe and Armed Conflict, University of Oxford,United Kingdom.
