Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 21 (EMN): Manipur celebrated its 50th Statehood Day today with a presentation of march past by eight parade contingents at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles Parade Ground in Imphal.
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, deputy chief minister Y Joykumar, ministers, MLAs, chief secretary, DGP and other officials attended the march past parade commanded by commanding officer Sh. Jugeshore Sharma of 10th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB).
The contingents including 5th battalion Manipur Rifles, Khongjaron; 8th IRB, combined civil police (male) of Imphal East and West; 9th Indian Reserve Mahila battalion; Home Guards (male), combined VDF of Imphal East and West; traffic police and CID-technical and bomb squad participated in the day’s parrade.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh informed proudly that Manipur has been positioned in the top three among the Northeast and the hilly states in India Innovative Index 2020 released by NITI Aayog on January 20 and gave credit for the achievement to everyone who have contributed to the development of the state.
The chief minister also stated that the recognition given by NITI Aayog has proved that the state is moving towards upward growth with new ideas, development at grassroots and considerable improvement in law and order.
Observing that Manipur would be one of the best states in the country if everyone, regardless of their position, worked with sincerity and transparency and stood together, he appealed to the public to come up with positive suggestions and constructive criticism.
Informing that foundation stone for construction of a water amusement park was laid at Imphal East last year, he said the government has obtained approval to construct children parks in seven districts including Chandel, Churachandpur, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul. He added that construction of 47 primary health sub-centres in rural and hill areas are also in the pipeline.
He said a temporary structure would be constructed at the site of Churachandpur Medical College, apart from construction work of the main building, to enable start its classes from the next academic session.
During the day’s celebration, the chief minister also presented a cheque of INR 5 lakh to the sister of (Late) Major Laishram Jyotin Singh under Major Jyotin Bravery Award. Major Laishram Jotin, a doctor with the Indian army from Manipur, died in fighting a suicide bomber in Kabul on February 26, 2010.
Earlier plan to celebrate the 50th Statehood Day in a grand manner was restricted due to the Covid pandemic.
