Rich tributes paid to A Samarendra

Imphal, June 10: The 2nd death anniversary of renowned personality Arambam Samarendra was held all over the State today. Founder general secretary and chairman of the UNLF, Samarendra was shot .dead on this day two years back long after he came overground and was leading a retired life. Various organizations came together and organized functions at different places to remember the man who was assassinated two years back. A symposium on the life and works of Samarendra was held at MU Centenary Hall jointly organized by Uniline and Research Club, Manipur University. MU VC Professor Hijam Tombi attended the function as chief guest. Apart from the symposium the other main highlights of the function was the release of a booklet, christening the late man as "Meeyamgi Tamohal" and floral tributes to the portrait of Samarendra. A two minute silence was also observed to pay respect to the departed soul. Vice Chancellor spoke at length on the life and activities of Samarendra during his lifetime, from the formation of the Pan Manipur Youth League and on his other works as well. HoD of Manipuri Department, Prof N Tombi Singh spoke on the theme, 'Samarendra, Society and his plays.' N Tombi further said that the topics he picked to speak were just a specter of the multi faceted personality known as Samarendra and there are still a lot to be learnt about the late man. Speaking on the views of Samarendra towards women, Assistant Professor Dr Nahakpam Aruna said that to Samarendra women should not be kept confined or bogged down but must be allowed to develop her distinct personality. A Kamson who spoke on the views of Samarendra towards society under the theme, 'Samarendra: A classless society' said that Samarendra was a man who strove to bring in equality in all walks of life. After Hijam Irabot, Arambam Samarendra will stand tall as the man who strove for a classless society, added Kamson. Noted writer Hijam Guna was the moderator of the function. Later, artistes of Roop Raag presented a musical programme eulogizing Samarendra. A song penned by Samarendra, 'Chaikhre Ngasi Nangi Labukta Nachasingi Eethengna' was also presented during the musical programme. A programme was also held at Rupmahal theatre organized by the Arambam Samarendra Trust. Ksh Sanajaoba presented a paper on Samarendra's views on women, Narendra Ningomba on Samarendra's views on development, Dr Premchand on Samarendra's influence on plays and A Tomchou on Samarendra's plays. O Biramangol, A Syam Sharma, Lala Sharma and Lalgopal attended the function as guests of honour. Lala who was an associate of Samarendra said that when famine struck the State, Samarendra personally took out the rice from his granary and distributed the same to the needy and poor. Samarendra's heart was with the poor and needy and he was truly a proletarian revolutionary, eulogized Lala. A panel discussion with A Syam Sharma, Haobam Satyabati, Prof L Damudor and L Bishwanath as the panelists was held during the function. The discussion paid glowing tributes to the plays and works of the late as all his plays and works focused on society, gender, development and identity. The death anniversary of Arambam Samarendra was also held at Lakhsmipur district of Assam. The function was jointly organized by the Assam Manipuri Students Union and the AMSU district committee, Lakhsmipur. Dr RK Ranjan and W Saratchandra attended the function as chief guest and president respectively. Hymns of different religion and patriotic songs were rendered during the function. The death anniversary observation was also organized by the Modern Club Kabowakching. A competition on patriotic poetry competition was held.