The Birth Centenary Celebration of Rani Ma Gaidinliu (26th January 1915 – 26th January 2014) is being observed during the year 2015 starting from 26th January onwards and as a fore-runner programme – A mass tour programme started on March 17, 2014 from Lodi Village near Halflong in DimaHasao district of Assam.
Rani Gaidinliu was born on January 26, 1915 to her father Lothonang and mother Keluatlinliu in Lungkao village of Tamenglong district of Manipur. At the tender age of 13, she joined the Heraka Movement and freedom struggle started by Haipou Jadonang and she led the freedom struggle when Jadonang was hung on August 29, 1931 at Imphal (Manipur). She was captured on October 18, 1932 at Pulomi (Poilwa) village in present Nagaland (then Naga Hills) and was put in jail for life long and was released only in 1947 when Bharat got Independence.
With a view to commemorate her memory and educate the Naga people in particular and the nation at large about her contribution in achieving the freedom of the country, the Mass Tour cum preaching programme started on March 17, 2014 at Lodi village.
A befitting send-off programme was organised in village council hall of Lodi Village in which 300 people (men and women both) from Lodi, Bagetar and Halflong town attended the function.
While speaking on the occasion as President of Zeliangrong Heraka Association (Assam, Manipur & Nagaland) Shri Ramkuiwangbe Newmei threw light on the divine birth of Rani and went at length on her freedom struggle, life imprisonment, release to isolation in 1947. She stayed at Kohima and devoted her whole life for the activities aimed at preservation, protection and promotion of Heraka religion, Heraka culture and Zeliangrong people. Britishers declared Rani Ma as “Terror of North-East” and they decided to punish whole Zeliangrong community. For weaking the society, the British Government divided Zeliangrong community in three States – Manipur, Assam and Nagaland (then Naga Hills). Purposely, no development programme was undertaken and all the steps were taken to convert Zeliangrong peoples in alien religion” – said Shri Ramkuiji and added – “Rani Ma did her best for the integration of Zeliangrong area into one administrative unit”.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jagdamba Mall, Organising Secretary, Janjati Dharma Sanskriti SurakshaManch, said that Rani Ma was divine healer, a successful organiser, a brave commander, an epoch maker, a poet, a good singer and a folk dancer. Rani Ma composed over 300 songs including devotional hymns, patriotic songs and poems to be sung while observing different rites and rituals of birth and death, marriage and festivals, etc.
Jagdamba Mall said that though she could not get any formal education, but she was so bold and strong enough with commitment that she discussed her people’ s problems with Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. He added that Rani Gaidinliu was a strong bridge at gulf between Nagas and non-Nagas over which both the communities walked to meet other and exchange their goodwill for one- other. “This programme and many other such programmes will clear the clouds of myths about Naga society” – Jagdamba Mall added.
A vehicle was decorated as “Rath” (chariot) with Rani Ma’s Photo, puja of this photo was performed by Shri Ramkuiji, Shri Tanjanji and the Paipeu of the village.
Before launching the ten days programme, the Rani Ma’s rath along with the convoy of accompanying vehicles visited Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) campus to pay its honour to VHP which has served the society from last four decades from 1975 onwards and the longest serving worker Shri Ramanand Sharma from Balia (UP) who welcomed the rath along with the team of VHP workers.
The rath halted at the statue of Rani Gaidinliu on road side in Bada Halflong and Shri Ramkuiji and Shri Tanjanji offered floral tribute to Rani Ma. On the same day, the Rath was welcomed at Mahur by 300 Heraka followers where Ramkuiji and Ramesh Babu spoke on the occasion.
—Bureau Report
