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Journalism of Courage
IMPHAL, FEB 14: You have to fly over perhaps a million mountain peaks before you spot a tiny township spread over a serene land. This town is easily recognisable by the beautiful stadium so clearly visibly from the air as the plane descends. This is the Khuman Lanspak Sports Complex.
The President of India, K R Narayanan today inaugurated the fifth National Games, a mega-event that Manipur is unlikely to forget in a long time.The entire city is decked up for the show, which will culminate on February 25. Even as teams are still pouring in from all corners of India, the locals have their hands full. Almost everyone in Imphal seems to lending a helping hand to make these Games a success.
A big chunk of the Karnataka team managed to reach Imphal by aspecial flight from Calcutta. Rosa Kutty, silver medallist at the Asian Games n December was one of the notable athletes in the flight.
Though it is still not clear as to who all among the big names have decided to skip the Games, the word is that Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, the Golden Girl who struck two gold medals at Bangkok Asian Games has pulled out. And so has Paramjit Singh, the bronze medallist at Bangkok, who last year broke Milkha Singh’s 38-year-old legendary record in 400 metres. Both dropped out at the last moment.
Dropouts apart, the Games here in Manipur are poised to become a historic one. Not only is the North-East hosting an event for the first time, it will also become the first state from the entire region to host the National Games.
Former world No. 1 in women’s 48 kg women’s weightlifting, Kunjarani Devi was the toast of the Manipur team at the marchpast at the opening ceremony. The hosts are fielding the largest contingent of over 700. Tingongleima Chanu, the Indian women’s team’sgoalkeeper at the Bangkok Asian, where they won a silver, was the flag bearer for Manipur. Dingko Singh was accorded the honour of carrying the Services flag.
COLOURFUL OPENING: At the opening ceremony the rich cultural heritage of was being showcased. With the 20,000 capacity fully packed, Manipur bodybuilder Maipak Singh, former ‘Mr India’ who took part in the 1971 Mr Universe’ contest at Athens, lit the National Games flame after the torch was relayed in the final stages by Nilkamal Singh, the first Olympian from Manipur and his fellow hockey internationals Tikken Singh and Thoiba Singh. Kunjarani took oath on behalf of the participants.
In the VIP gallery, which was studded with well-known guests, there was the First Lady Usha Narayanan, Union Minister of State for Sports Uma Bharti, Manipur governor O N Shrivastava, Chief minister W Nipamacha Singh, Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Mahanta and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Mukut Mithi and Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi.
Theopening ceremony lasting over three-and-a-half hours focussed on National Integration through sports and the programme included Manipur music and art forms.
The ceremony began with the playing of Manipur Sanaleimayon (Manipur my Golden Land) in traditional Khongjon Parva (folk) style. The President, on his arrival was greeted by the music of Lam-een Pena (ancient stringed instrument of Manipur) and the blowing of conches.
After the march-past Sangai’, the brow-antlered deer which is the Games mascot, came prancing into the Stadium. Then followed 12 tribal dance forms from various districts of Manipur.
The stage is now set for competition and as the Games unfold tommorrow, there will be many Manipuris waiting to emulate Kunjarani and of course, that National hero Dingko Singh.
Security was tight with Army patrolling the streets and armed police and para military personnel posted along main roads as the Games were inaugurated. Security inside the stadium complex by itself was not too obvious, butarmed men were posted a few feet apart throughout the route the President took from Raj Bhavan to the Stadium and back to the Imphal Airport from where he left for Delhi soon after the inaugural ceremony, according to agencies.
The extra vigil in the insurgency-prone state had been mounted as some underground outfits had called for a boycott of the President’s visit, despite appeal by political leaders and other organisations that sole purpose of his visit was for the Games, which itself has been overwhelmingly supported.
Though the stadium was packed with spectators holding colourful umbrellas as protection from hot sun, the streets were deserted due to the prevailing security situation. The ambush of nine Army personnel by extremists yesterday, is also said to have played a role in the less than usual enthusiasm.
