Manipur govt to set up memorial for Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing
M
anipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday said that his government had already earmarked an amount of Rs 3 crore for the construction of a memorial for Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing, who led his soldiers and hoisted the Tricolour and laid claim to Tawang as an integral part of India.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually dedicated to the nation the 'Desh ka Vallabh' statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the Major Ralengnao 'Bob' Khathing 'Museum of Valour' at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday. Singh carried out the inauguration from 4 Corps Headquarters in Assam's Tezpur as he could not visit Tawang due to bad weather. Manipur Chief Minister and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu, state Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd), and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, among others, were present at the inauguration site. The Manipur Chief Minister mentioned that the proposed memorial would be set up in a suitable location, either at Bob Khathing's birthplace in Mantripukhri in Imphal West district or at a more centrally located site. Speaking on the sidelines of the function in Tawang, he appreciated Arunachal Pradesh for recognizing and acknowledging the sacrifices of Major Bob Khathing, who belonged to the Tangkhul Naga community from Ukhrul district in Manipur. He further stressed that the Manipur government also acknowledges the sacrifices of the national leader. The Chief Minister added that recent elections and the current ethnic situation in the state had delayed the project. Singh highlighted Major Bob Khathing's sacrifices, stating that when the Chinese laid claim to Tawang, Major Bob Khathing led his soldiers, hoisted the Tricolour, and asserted that Tawang was an integral part of India. He emphasized that Major Bob Khathing had not only made sacrifices for the nation but was also a visionary leader. "The sacrifices of Major Bob Khathing should always be remembered," he said. The Defence Minister also paid homage to Major Khathing's bravery during his speech at the function. Describing Major Bob Khathing as an extraordinary figure who made invaluable contributions to the northeast region and national security, Singh remarked, "Major Khathing not only led the peaceful integration of Tawang into India but also established essential military and security frameworks, including the Sashastra Seema Bal, Nagaland Armed Police, and the Naga Regiment." He asserted that the 'Museum of Valour' now stands as a tribute to Khathing's bravery and foresight, inspiring generations to come. Major Bob Khathing was the first person of tribal origin to serve as an ambassador for India in then Burma, now Myanmar. Born on February 8, 1912, in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, Major Khathing was the first tribal from Manipur to graduate. During World War II, he became the first Manipuri to receive the King's Commission. He was commissioned into the 19th Hyderabad Regiment (later the 7th Kumaon Regiment) and later served under then Major Thimmayya (who later became Chief of Army Staff and Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army) at the Regimental Training Centre in Agra. This adroit, assiduous, determined war hero-who was also a humanitarian, administrator, and dedicated teacher-passed away on January 12, 1990.
✔️ Manipur govt to set up memorial for Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing
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