Biren lauds Andro for preserving Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire

Imphal: Chief minister N. Biren Singh has lauded people of Andro for preserving Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire and the aged old culture, tradition and valuable artifacts of the Meitei community.

Most communities in valley areas seem to neglect their own traditions and culture, Biren said.

The chief minister was addressing at the inauguration the infrastructure development for preservation of Panam Ningthou Immortal Fire and different historical monuments in and around Andro, in Imphal East on Wednesday.

Biren stressed on the need for all communities of the state to preserve and protect their own traditions and culture.

Biren was happy seeing the lush green forest cover of the Nongmaiching, and further appreciated the people of Andro for protecting and preserving the forest cover. Showing his appreciation, Biren assured to construct a workshed for the Andro pottery at the earliest and asked the village chief to provide a site for the same.

Commenting on an inscribed stone erected by a Manipuri King during the catastrophic Seven Years Devastation at Andro, the chief minister said it is a valuable artefact which needs proper preservation.

He apprised officials of art and culture department and Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Ltd to take up steps to preserve the same.

He expressed on the need to renovate ‘Shanglen’ where the immortal fire of Andro burns.

Regarding the issue of non-inclusion of certain surnames due to misspellings of the surnames in the official gazette, the chief minister urged the village authorities to submit the details through the local MLA and said he will take up the issue with the concerned ministry.

He appealed to the people of Andro to avail the benefits of various people centric schemes of the government.

Biren assured construction of a new Ima Market in the area. He further stressed the need for opening a bank branch at Andro for availing benefits under certain welfare schemes and assured to look into the matter.

The chief minister also expressed his desire to install statues of ‘MaichouTaret’ atop Nongmaiching hill further expressing that it would attract a lot of tourists.

The inaugural function was also attended by minister L. Susindro Meitei, MP Rajya Sabha Maharaj LeishembaSanajaoba, MLAs Th. Shyamkumar Singh, Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh, Usham Deben Singh,

Kh. Ibomcha, Thongam Shanti Singh, among others.