Peaceful coexistence was the central message from Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the state observed Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in Imphal on Friday, August 14. Speaking at the official programme, the Chief Minister appealed to people to promote peace and harmony, drawing a connection between the suffering caused by the 1947 Partition and the concerns of people affected by crises in Manipur.
The observance was held at the Palace Auditorium of the Manipur State Film Development Society in the Palace Compound. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh, ministers, MLAs, senior officials and students attended the programme organised by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur.
Manipur CM stresses peaceful coexistence
Khemchand Singh recalled the devastating human cost of Partition, including loss of life and widespread destruction of property. He also highlighted the resilience of survivors who reached India and rebuilt their lives despite the immense hardships they had faced.
The Chief Minister said the suffering experienced by people during any crisis is fundamentally the same. Against this backdrop, he urged the people of Manipur to work towards peace, harmony and peaceful coexistence.
His remarks come as Manipur continues to deal with the effects of prolonged displacement and insecurity. During the event, he referred to concerns raised by internally displaced people (IDPs) from an area bordering Churachandpur district.
According to the Chief Minister, the displaced people told him they could return to their homes only during the daytime because they did not have enough confidence to remain there overnight. They also raised concerns about difficulties in finding livelihood opportunities.
Partition remembrance and lessons for Manipur
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla described the 1947 Partition as a human tragedy rather than simply a territorial division. He said the event was marked by immense suffering, sacrifice and the displacement of millions of people.
The Governor noted that the Government of India declared August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in 2021 to ensure that the experiences of people affected by Partition remain part of the country’s collective memory.
The annual observance is intended to remember the victims and survivors while encouraging reflection on the consequences of division, violence and displacement. In Manipur, the theme carried additional relevance because of the state’s own experience with displacement and community tensions.
The emphasis on peaceful coexistence therefore linked historical remembrance with the need to address present-day challenges through dialogue, understanding and social harmony.
A message of resilience and hope
A documentary titled A New Postbox: Tales from the Partition was screened during the programme. Khemchand Singh referred to its message of looking towards the future instead of remaining trapped by painful memories of the past.
The Chief Minister’s remarks focused not only on remembering tragedy but also on the ability of affected communities to rebuild. Survivors of Partition, he said, demonstrated resilience by starting their lives again after experiencing enormous loss.
That message was particularly significant in the context of Manipur, where many displaced families continue to face uncertainty about returning home and restoring their livelihoods. The call for peaceful coexistence placed the needs of affected people at the centre of the observance.
Two-minute silence held for Partition victims
The programme also included a two-minute silence in memory of those who suffered and lost their lives during Partition. The tribute underscored the solemn purpose of the August 14 observance.
Ministers Khuraijam Loken Singh and Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Bajpai, legislators, senior government officials and students were among those present.
For Manipur, the event served as both a historical remembrance and an appeal for greater social understanding. The message of peaceful coexistence was presented as an important step towards rebuilding trust among communities and creating conditions in which displaced people can eventually feel secure enough to return and rebuild their lives.
As the state observes Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, the emphasis on remembering suffering while looking towards the future reflects a broader effort to turn painful history into a lesson for the present. The appeal for peaceful coexistence places harmony, dignity and the recovery of affected families at the heart of that message.