Lakhipuronline Digital Desk, February 12, 2026: In a highly poignant and deeply emotional display of cultural unity, historical remembrance, and shared heritage, the Patriotic Writers Forum (PAWF), Manipur, successfully concluded its grand 18th Foundation Day celebrations with a highly significant pilgrimage to the historic Kheba Ching at Khongjom. On Thursday, dedicated members of the literary forum, alongside esteemed delegates from the neighboring states of Assam and Tripura, offered heartfelt floral tributes to the brave martyrs of the Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891, strongly reaffirming the deep-rooted historical bonds that intricately connect the widespread Meitei diaspora.
The solemn tribute ceremony closely followed a vibrant three-day celebration of the Forum's glorious inception, which ran successfully from February 8 to February 10. Actively led by the visionary PAWF Manipur President Naoroibam Khamba Luwang, the visiting delegation notably included ten prominent women writers, intellectuals, and dedicated cultural activists from neighboring states who traveled all the way to Manipur specifically to participate in this highly solemn and historic occasion.
Bridging Geographical Borders Through Shared History
The highly anticipated visit to the sacred Khongjom War Memorial was certainly not merely a formal ceremonial act, but rather a powerful, living bridge connecting the entire Meitei community spread across the vast Northeast region. Among the key attendees gracing the event were Kshetrimayum Madhabi Singha, the respected Advisory Board Member of PAWF Tripura Branch, and a remarkably strong contingent representing the Manipuri Women Literary & Cultural Organization (MWLCO) from Hojai, Assam. The dedicated Assam delegation prominently included Advisory Board Members Usham Bindarani and Taorem Purnabati, active President Huirongbam Kunjabati, dynamic Secretary Ashem Subhashini, and several other enthusiastic literary figures.
This massive gathering perfectly highlights the ongoing, relentless efforts of the Patriotic Writers Forum to beautifully maintain cultural continuity and linguistic pride among Manipuris living in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, and even across international borders in neighboring Myanmar and Bangladesh.
"The Blood of Ancestors Connects Us"
The atmosphere at the sacred site of Kheba Ching was visibly charged with profound emotion and patriotic fervor as the visiting delegates respectfully paid their final respects. Huirongbam Kunjabati, President of MWLCO, Hojai, passionately expressed the deep sentiment shared by the entire diaspora during the solemn event.
"Visiting this golden land and humbly bowing before the grand monuments of our great ancestors gives us a profound sense of pride. Although we were born and raised in Assam, standing here where our forefathers bravely sacrificed their lives in the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War confirms that we are truly their descendants. We feel the exact same blood running through our veins. I am deeply grateful to the Patriotic Writers Forum for creating this rare, magical moment that has made us fall in love with our motherland all over again," stated Kunjabati.
Remembering Our Exiled Heroes
The mega event also served as a powerful reminder of the great historical figures and brave warriors who were tragically exiled following the devastating war. Kshetrimayum Madhabi from Tripura poignantly highlighted the forum's continuous and noble work in erecting magnificent statues of these fallen martyrs not just within the borders of Manipur, but strategically across the entire Northeast region. She spoke passionately about the legendary Major Chongtha Miya, a fearless hero of 1891 who was cruelly exiled to the notorious Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Kalapani) by the oppressive British regime.
"After his eventual release from Andaman, Major Chongtha Miya could not return to his beloved birthplace in Manipur and eventually breathed his last in Tripura. A beautiful statue in his absolute honor stands proudly today at Narayankhamar, Tripura," Madhabi explained. "The inspiring fact that PAWF is actively establishing these memorials allows small, marginalized communities like ours in the diaspora to hold our heads high. It is our bounden duty to forever honor these supreme sacrifices."
Strengthening the Eternal Bond
Laimujam Pratap Singh, the active Assistant Secretary of PAWF Manipur, strongly emphasized the organization's core mission to continuously foster regional unity through the powerful mediums of literature, shared history, and mutual respect. He specifically noted the immense significance of having ten highly capable female delegates from Assam and Tripura grace the event.
"The active presence of these brilliant writers beautifully showcases the immense courage of Meitei women and practically proves that the pure bond of love between us remains entirely unbroken," Pratap Singh noted with pride.
The highly successful event beautifully concluded with a strong, renewed pledge from all attendees to continuously promote cultural exchange programs and collaborative historical preservation efforts, effectively ensuring that the glorious legacy of the 1891 martyrs deeply inspires and guides future generations across the globe.
✍️ Published by Lakhipuronline Team