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Birth centenary of Rani Gaidinliu celebrated

By Newmai News

IMPHAL, Dec 23 - Freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu�s birth centenary was celebrated on December 18 at the Manipur Film Corporation (MFDC) auditorium, Palace Compound in Imphal East.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh attended the function organised by Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU). He hailed the sacrifices and dedication of legendary freedom fighter Rani Gaidinliu.

He said the present and future generations should have great regard for her spirit and the contribution she had made for the common good. He further said peace and harmony will come if the people are determined to follow her path.

At the event, a souvenir was released and a documentary film on her was also screened. IGNTU Vice Chancellor Prof TV Kattimani and Union Minister of the State for Tribal Affairs, Mansukhbhai Vasava were the president and guest of honour at the function.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a commemorative coin of hundred rupees and five rupees on Rani Gaidinliu during the inauguration of her birth centenary celebrations at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on August 25 last.

Born on January 26, 1915 at Nungkao, a Rongmei village in Manipur�s Tamenglong district, Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British colonial rule in India.

At the age of 13 she came under the influence of Haipou Jadonang, the leader who launched a religious movement that sought to reform the Zealiangrong Naga communities. The movement grew into a political struggle to uproot British Colonialism from Manipur and the nearby Naga-inhabited area.

By the late 1920s, British officials began to view the political underpinnings of the movement with deep suspicion as they saw it as undermining their authority.

After the execution of Jadonang in 1931, Rani Gaidinliu took up the leadership of the movement for independence. She was arrested in 1932 by the British authorities. She became a political prisoner but at the same time had emerged a veteran leader of the resistance movement.

Rani Gaidinliu identified her people�s struggle with the wider Indian freedom struggle. For her, the Naga people�s journey to freedom was part of India�s wider movement for freedom. She also spread the message of Gandhi in Manipur.

She was honoured with Freedom Fighter Tamrapatra, 1972, Padma Bhushan, 1982, Vivekanande Sewa Samman, 1983, Birsa Munda Award, 1966 and a Postal Stamp in 1996.

Government of India instituted Stree Shakti Puraskar in honour of five eminent women in Indian History which included Rani Gaidinliu, in 2000.

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