Nipamacha fondly remembered on 13th death anniversary

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 17 : Former Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha was fondly remembered on his 13th death anniversary held at his Wangoi residence today.
The death anniversary function organised by the Wahengbam Nipamacha Memorial Trust, Wangoi was attended by friends, relatives of the late Chief Minister and the people of Wangoi Assembly segment.
People gathered at the event offered floral tributes at the portrait and tomb of Wahengbam Nipamacha. The event was graced by ex-Ministers Oinam Lukhoi, Dr Moirangthem Nara, Wangoi Municipal Council former Councillor Wahengbam Basanta and Senior Citizens for Society, Wangoi Chapter member Kh Sarat as presidium members.
Speaking on the occasion, Oinam Lukhoi said that the contributions of Wahengbam Nipamacha as a teacher and a people’s representative are quite immense and cannot be described by words.
Perseverance and selflessness of Nimapacha who also served as the Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Minister and Chief Minister are worth emulating, he said.
Wahengbam Nipamacha was one Chief Minister who sacrificed everything for the people. Despite occupying the highest position of power, he remained down to earth and he never thought of amassing personal wealth or properties, Lukhoi said.
At the time of Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha, all the legislators belonging to both the ruling and Opposition parties used to work together in the interest of Manipur once they came outside the State Assembly although they were distinguished as Opposition and ruling within the Assembly. Such cooperation and coordination among the legislators are no longer visible these days, he said.
Lukhoi said that former Chief Minister Nipamacha worked tirelessly to uplift the State’s education sector.
He (Nipamacha) also worked actively to get Mayai Lambi upgraded to the status of a National Highway.
However, the MLAs who came after Nipamacha did not pursue the matter any longer. As such, all the efforts to upgrade Mayai Lambi to the status of a National Highway have gone in vain, Lukhoi said.
Noting that the condition of Mayai Lambi at present is extremely deplorable, Lukhoi said that all the MLAs in whose Assembly segments Mayai Lambi passes through need to work together zealously to get Mayai Lambi upgraded to the status of a National Highway.
Dr Moirangthem Nara described Wahengbam Nipamacha as a selfless, visionary and patriotic leader.
It was Wahengbam Nipamacha who renamed the road stretch from Keishampat Bridge to Hiyangthang Bridge as Irabot Road in honour of Lamyanba Hijam Irabot, Dr Nara said.
Anie Mutum of Samurou who secured 12th position of HSE 2025 (Science stream) and Sagolsem Inungangbi Chanu who secured third position in HSE 2025 (Arts) were felicitated by ex-Minister Lukhoi on the occasion.
Led by Oinam Lukhoi, the Wahengbam Nipamacha Trust donated five bags of rice, two bags of dal, potatoes, edible oil and other edible items to Mongshangei Old Age Home in commemoration of the 13th death anniversary of Wahengbam Nipamacha.
Wahengbam Nipamacha served as the Chief Minister of Manipur for three years and two months from December 16, 1997 to February 14, 2001.
He expired on July 17, 2012 at the age of 81.