A memorial for Maharaja Gambhir Singh - How a ‘good Samaritan’ drew Government’s attention to it ?

Jarnail Singh
Ever since Manipur attained statehood on January 21, 1972, all state governments had been taking steps to honour heroes of Manipur as well as erecting memorials to honour them. Important among these include; Bir Tikendrajit, Paona Brajabashi, Thangal General, Rani Gaidinliu and Maharaja Rajarshi Bhagyachandra. In November 2004, the State government took over Kangla and made plans to develop it. An open-air theatre had been constructed in the Palace Complex and named as Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre. Bir Tikendrajit Park had been developed and a memorial erected where every year homages are paid to patriots on 13th August. Plans had been made to develop Khongjom War Memorial Complex in memory of sacrifices made by Paona Brajabashi and his colleagues in the Battle of Khongjom. A Nupi Lan Memorial had been built to honour sacrifices made by women of Manipur in 1939-40 against economic policies of the colonial government that led to famine in Manipur.  
I had read in the history of Manipur that Maharaja Gambhir Singh was one of the most important Kings of Manipur. When the Burmese occupied Manipur during the 1820s, he was responsible for driving back the Burmese. This had been a watershed event in the history of Manipur. Except for some small events, I had not seen a reasonably good and fitting memorial for Maharaja Gambhir Singh.
Ng Nongyai enters my office in an agitated mood:
From August 2004 to July 2008, I was Chief Secretary Manipur.  At that time,Ng. Nongyai was a member of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC). Occasionally,he used to meet me and discuss issues for improvement of human rights as well as steps required to honour the heroes of Manipur. He would quite often explain about ‘Puyas’,Manipur's claim over Kabow valley and the need for development of Sanamahi temple complex at Wangoi.One afternoon in January 2007, Ng. Nongyai came to my office in an agitated mood. He was uttering unpleasant words about politicians of Manipur. I did not understand the reasons for his anger. I pacified him and asked him to take a chair and cool down. After a few minutes, he started speaking loudly and lamented that the politicians of Manipur had forgotten Maharaja Gambhir Singh, the real maharaja who saved Manipur. He added that the Manipur politicians had ignored the Samadhi of Maharaja Gambhir Singh and its condition was pitiable. He was so agitated and angry that he wanted me to accompany him immediately to Canchipur to see the condition of Samadhi. Seeing him so passionate and agitated, I agreed to accompany him immediately.
Samadhi condition not good in 2007:
I accompanied Ng. Nongyai in my car towards Manipur University.After driving about 300 feet beyond Manipur University main gate we reached near a school which is on the southern side of the Imphal-Thoubal road. We got down from the car and walked for about 150 feet in a 10-foot-narrow muddy lane. There, at the end, was the Samadhi of Maharaja Gambhir Singh. A few animals were grazing near Samadhi. Drainage water and other affluence were flowing from the eastern side school building into the Samadhi. A cow had been tied to a small tree next to the Samadhi. It was shocking to see the condition of Samadhi and the small area around.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh takes quick action:
After coming back, I discussed this matter with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh. Immediately after discussion, the Chief Minister visited the Samadhi and I also accompanied him.We stayed at the site for about one hour and visually prepared a plan to acquire neighbouring lands up to the main road and also the adjoining wing of school from which drainage water was directly flowing into the Samadhi. The lady owner of the school was also called there and shown how the drainage water from her school was damaging the Samadhi. It seemed that neighbours had no respect for this holy place.
Back in office, the Chief Minister decided to acquire the nearby lands and build a decent memorial. Initially Rs 3.50 crore were earmarked from the Special Plan Assistance for the memorial. The Chief Minister took personal interest in the planning and construction of the memorial. I left Manipur in July 2008 to take over as Secretary in the Government of India. The memorial was completed and inaugurated when I was in Delhi. After I joined as Adviser (Infrastructure and Power) to Chief Minister Manipur, I visited this memorial in October 2012. I found that the memorial had been built but its upkeep and maintenance required improvements.
It was Ng. Nongyai who acted as a ‘Good Samaritan’ and drew the government's attention about the condition of Samadhi and pushed the government into action to build a suitable memorial for Maharaja Gambhir Singh.