Manipur: President Droupadi Murmu leads Nupi Lal Day 2025 observance in Imphal

Imphal: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, led thousands of people, mostly women, and paid floral tributes at the Nupi Lal Memorial Complex in Imphal to mark the observance of Nupi Lal Day (Women’s War Day) 2025 on Friday.

On this occasion, President Murmu offered floral tributes, paying heartfelt homage to the brave mothers of Manipur whose courage continues to inspire generations.

People observe the day to honour the brave Manipuri women who fought the British in 1904 and 1939, revolting against the injustices of British imperialism and the artificial scarcity of rice.

Manipuri women fought against the British while the princely state of Manipur was under British rule. Manipur lost its independence in the last Anglo-Manipuri War of 1891 and regained sovereignty in 1947.

During the British period, two women’s uprisings took place over the artificial scarcity of rice. These movements are known in Manipur’s history as Nupilal or the Women’s War. After regaining independence, Manipur merged with the Indian Union in 1949.

In her official statement, the President said that the brave women of Manipur inspire every Indian. She added that she felt fortunate to pay floral tributes to the great women of the historic Nupi Lal, the two women’s wars waged during the early decades of the 20th century, which succeeded in compelling the colonial and feudal authorities to accept their fair demands.

She noted that the gathering stood at a place filled with glorious chapters of history, mentioning the hoisting of the Indian flag in 1944 at Moirang by the heroic soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj and the renaming of Mount Harriet to Mount Manipur in honour of Manipur’s bravehearts.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and other senior officials were among the thousands who attended the state function and paid tributes to the great martyrs.