On Tuesday, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh released a bilingual Burmese‑Manipuri souvenir at the Darbar Hall of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Babupura, Imphal, to mark the 228th death anniversary of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra.
The souvenir, produced by the Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation in partnership with the Indo‑Myanmar Fraternal Alliance, will be distributed during the Punyatithi observance in Mandalay, Myanmar, on October 13.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister highlighted historical accounts that most Manipur kings spent 100 days a year in the hills, underscoring the role of elders in uniting diverse communities. He noted that the term “Rajarshi” reflects Bhagyachandra’s dual role as king and spiritual leader and that his introduction of the Ras Lila has become a distinguished cultural tradition, contributing to India’s classical dance heritage. He also praised the continued recognition of Manipur’s historical presence in neighboring regions such as Assam, Dimapur and Meghalaya, citing the preservation of Rajbari institutions and a book documenting his daughter’s role in strengthening ties with the former Ahom Kingdom.
The Chief Minister addressed the economic impact of the May 3, 2023 conflict, noting a decline of more than Rs. 1,200 crores in GST revenue and daily losses of Rs. 25–30 crore from bandhs and blockades. He urged the public and civil‑society organisations to resolve differences through dialogue, drawing an analogy between the rejuvenation of a withered flower by monsoon rain and the potential revival of Manipur’s vitality through peace. Among those present were R.K. Shivachandra Singh, President of the Indo‑Myanmar Fraternal Alliance; Kakchingtabam Brajamani Sharma, Awardee of the Gita Sanman; R.K. Jitendrajit Singh, President of the Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation; and Th. Dhanakumar Singh, General Secretary of the same foundation, among others.
