The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has sent a message to the Government of Manipur on the occasion of commemoration of Khongjom Day.

In his message, the President has said "I am happy to learn that the Government of Manipur is bringing out a special issue of "Manipur Today” to commemorate Khongjom Day on April 23, 2016.

Khongjom Day has immense significance for the people of Manipur. On April 23, 1891, a battle for Manipur’s freedom was fought, after which it became the last princely state in the Indian sub-continent to come under the British Empire. It is therefore, an occasion of remembrance and retrospection of valour and ultimate sacrifices made by countless Manipuri patriots in their struggle for freedom.

The Khongjom War Monument erected in memory of brave sons of Manipur has become a place of pilgrimage not only for the people of Manipur but also for the rest of India.

I am happy I will be visiting Manipur on April 23, 2016 to join the people of the State in paying homage to the heroes of Khongjom War of 1891. On this day, let us pledge to rededicate ourselves to upholding the unity and integrity of our homeland, the cause for which the martyrs of Khongjom laid down their lives.

I salute the martyrs who laid down their lives on this Day and pay tributes to the glorious history of Manipur”.

This release issued at 2140 hrs.