Signs of neglect in patriots’ site

Ningthoujam Prasant & Elangbam Nikita

IMPHAL| July 25

Bir Tikendrajit Park is one of the historically important places of Manipur constructed in memory of Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General, who were hanged by the British in an open place before the general public on August 13, 1891.

The British knew that nationalist like Tikendrajit and Thangal General were obstacles in their colonial strategies. In their absence, the British knew that alteration of Manipur into their colony was inevitable and therefore they hanged them.

Manipur observes this day, August 13, as Patriot’s Day to remember their role in the freedom struggle. Today the park is attracting many people including health conscious persons, school-going students and much more.

“BT Park has been a place of us for quite a long time to go for evening walk and meet my friends”, said a daily-comer in his geezerhood.

For long, it has been an area for elders to have their evening walk and group conversation. A student who was loosening up in the park while having an ice-cream said, “This park is a retreat from the scorching afternoon sun. It is a place to relax for some time before I go home.”

“The park is giving us an opportunity to value our own memorable place and in the meantime, withdraw from daily grind. Nowadays, houses in and around Imphal lack sufficient space for kids to play and for us to stretch legs.” said one of the visitors.

In addition, the park which is maintained by the government fills in as a place for individuals to unwind, particularly those who frequently go to the market.

Furthermore, a couple of unemployed women can be seen inside the park, selling tea and snacks.

BT park has been, in addition, proceeding to be a decent place for elders for their daily-walk schedules, school students to ease up in the open space after their tiring classes, families to invest quality time and incidentally for couples as well. The open space behind the Shaheed Minar also attracts more individuals.

“The park is currently losing its shine due to some bad habits of visitors. Waste materials like papers, plastics wraps and containers, leftovers and so on are seen scattered. The eastern side of the park close to recently constructed Ima-market is loaded with empty bottles and leftovers. The visitors fail to keep the park clean,” said another visitor.

With less than a month left for the commemoration of Patriots’ Day on August 13, it is seen that works are being taken up to clean the park to get ready to salute the two brave sons of Manipur, Bir Tikendrajit and Thangal General.