Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh attended the state-level Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebration at the City Convention Centre on Sunday, marking the 151st birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.
Accompanied by Minister Kh. Loken Singh and several MLAs, the Chief Minister joined the national address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was broadcast live from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra through video conferencing.
During the programme, Singh paid floral tributes to Birsa Munda and inaugurated a three-day State-Level Tribal Cultural Festival.
The Chief Minister also distributed prizes to the winners of the Tribal Lens Photo Competition and the Tribal Frames Manipur 2026 Film Awards. He later visited exhibition stalls set up at the venue.
The gathering also observed a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives during the ethnic violence in Manipur.
Deputy CM pays tribute to tribal freedom fighters in Kangpokpi
In a related programme held on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen attended the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Pakhwada 2026 celebration at Keithelmanbi Village Community Hall in Kangpokpi district.
Paying tribute to lesser-known tribal heroes who resisted colonial rule, Kipgen highlighted the contributions and sacrifices of tribal communities during the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
She urged the authorities to identify and recognise other tribal freedom fighters and Indian National Army (INA) veterans whose contributions remain undocumented, emphasising the need to preserve their legacy for future generations.
Additional Chief Secretary (Tribal Affairs and Hills) Anurag Bajpai, IFS, also addressed the gathering. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat could be achieved only by ensuring that every tribal family and young person becomes an equal participant in the country’s development.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, Bajpai called upon traditional institutions, civil society organisations and young people to promote trust and harmony. He also encouraged the community to explore Kangpokpi’s potential in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and entrepreneurship.
Awards and welfare assistance distributed
The Kangpokpi programme concluded with the presentation of awards to descendants of freedom fighters, sportspersons and individuals recognised for their cultural achievements.
Beneficiaries also received assistance under various welfare schemes. These included Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) cards, loans under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), agricultural assistance, livelihood support, water storage tanks and galvanised corrugated (GC) sheets for housing.
Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills Rangnamei Rang Peter, Kangpokpi Deputy Commissioner Hemant Kumar, IAS, district officials, village chiefs and representatives of civil society organisations attended the Saturday event.