IMPHAL, Jan 21 � Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today asserted that the State has marched forward after becoming a full-fledged State. He was addressing the 43rd Statehood Day celebration here.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam was also present in the celebration at the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles complex in Imphal.
Ibobi also appealed for people�s cooperation in order to achieve all round development of the State in all sectors.
Gaikhangam, who also holds the Home portfolio, was unhappy over the poor attendance of the State officials in the function. Besides senior officials, several Ministers and MLAs were also absent from the Statehood Day function.
�This is a failure on our part,� said Gaikhangam and warned of actions against absentee officials.
Conveying his warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur on the occasion, Manipur Governor Dr KK Paul in his message said, Manipur became an equal partner with other States in the country in building a modern India and along with it came the responsibilities and opportunities.
Though the State has made rapid strides in the field of development and sustained effort is being made to keep pace with the rest of the country, it is still lagging behind. There is need of a renewed effort for the welfare of its citizens and growth and development must be based on equity where all citizens of the State irrespective of caste, creed or religion feel the sense of belonging to an egalitarian society, the message added.
Manipur attained Statehood 42 years ago. The erstwhile princely State of Manipur was merged with India in October 1949 and became a full-fledged State on January 21, 1972.
