Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday laid the foundation stone of the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Luangkao village, Tamenglong District in Manipur via video conferencing.
The foundation stone for the museum was laid as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav week which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
The project was sanctioned by the Tribal Affairs Ministry at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore.
Speaking at the occasion, Amit Shah said, "Rani Gaidinliu was born on January 26, 1915 at Luangkao village, in Tousem Sub-Division under Tamenglong District, Manipur. At the age of 13, Gaidinliu was associated with Jadonang and became his lieutenant in his social, religious and political movement. After the execution of Jadonang, Gaidinliu took up the leadership of the movement. Gaidinliu started a serious revolt against the British after the martyrdom of Jadonang for which she was imprisoned by the Britishers for 14 years and finally released in 1947."
Acknowledging her role in the struggle against the British, she began to be called “Rani”. She was released from Tura Jail after India got Independence. Rani Gaidinliu died on February 17, 1993 at her native village Luangkao, the Union Home Minister mentioned.
Rani Gaidinliu was awarded the Tamrapatra in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1982, Vivekananda Sewa Summan in 1983, Stree Shakti Purashkar in 1991 and Bhagwan Birsa Munda Puraskar in 1996 posthumously. The Government of India issued a Commemorative Stamp of Rani Gaidinliu in 1996. On the occasion of her birth centenary commemoration function in 2015 the Prime Minister of India released Coin of Hundred Rupees and circulation Coin of Five Rupees. The Indian Coast Guard commissioned a Fast Patrol Vessel “ICGS Rani Gaidinliu” on October 19, 2016, Shah said.
The Union Home Minister also lauded Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his leadership, while mentioning that the law and order situation in the state has improved tremendously since the last four-and-half years.
The BJP government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Biren, many development projects have been undertaken in Manipur, Shah said.
Shah also expressed hope that the BJP government will return to power in the upcoming state assembly elections.
The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda, State Industry and Commerce Minister Th Biswajt, PHED Minister Losii Dikho, YAS minister Letpao Haokip and other dignitaries at the City Convention Centre, Imphal East.
