MOIRANG, April 14: The 81st Anniversary of Flag Hoisting Day was solemnly commemorated today at the Indian National Army (INA) Martyr’s Memorial Complex in Moirang, Bishnupur District, Manipur.
The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, graced the historic event, which pays homage to one of the most momentous chapters in India’s freedom struggle—when the INA first hoisted the Indian national flag on liberated Indian soil in 1944 under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
To mark the occasion, Governor Bhalla offered floral tributes to the statue of Netaji at the memorial and visited the INA Museum. The museum showcases invaluable artifacts, documents, and memorabilia chronicling the INA’s campaign and its pivotal role in India’s independence.
In his address, the Governor expressed profound patriotic pride and reverence. “It is a moment of profound honour to stand on the very ground where India’s national flag was first unfurled by the INA on liberated land. This act was not just symbolic—it was a declaration of a nation’s burning desire to be free,” he said.
Highlighting Moirang’s pivotal role in the freedom movement, the Governor added, “The INA fought not through diplomacy but through sheer determination and action, and though their presence in Moirang was brief, the legacy they left behind continues to ignite the flame of patriotism across generations.”
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including MLA Thongam Shanti Singh, Lt. General (Retd.) K. Himalay Singh, Maj. General (Retd.) J.S. Nanda, Maj. General S.S. Kartikeya, Brigadier Neeraj Sharma, DY IGAR (South), M. Joy Singh, IAS, as well as senior officials, ex-servicemen, and members of the public.
Attendees paid heartfelt homage to the heroes of the INA and reaffirmed their collective commitment to the ideals of freedom, unity, and national pride. The Flag Hoisting Day commemoration continues to serve as a powerful reminder of Netaji’s vision, the sacrifices of the INA soldiers, and Moirang’s enduring place in the tapestry of India’s independence movement.
