Nupi Lan Day: Honouring Anti-Colonial Women's Revolt with Power Run in Delhi

Participants at the event in Delhi on Manipur's Nupi Lan (Women's War) Day

New Delhi:

Women from Manipur, including senior citizens, participated in a commemorative run celebrating the 86th Nupi Lan (Women's War) Day. This significant observance honors Manipuri women who courageously rose against British colonial rule in 1904 and 1939.

Hundreds of women spanning all age groups gathered at Delhi University's north campus polo ground, which features a 400-metre synthetic running track.

The participants, dressed in a blend of traditional phanek garments, white t-shirts bearing numbers, and athletic footwear, began their run immediately at the organizer's signal.

"A defining moment in Manipur's history, Nupi Lan demonstrates the courage and determination of Manipuri women who mounted fierce resistance against colonial and economic oppression, thereby bringing profound economic and political reforms," stated the Delhi-based women's civil society organization Ningol United Progressive Initiative (NUPI) in their Friday press briefing.

The organizers highlighted that this event represented a significant milestone in NUPI's efforts to share the narrative of women's resilience and bravery with a wider audience. The diverse participation—from elderly women to teenagers and children—in such a physically demanding activity exemplified strength in commemoration of Nupi Lan.

President Droupadi Murmu, visiting Manipur that day, paid her respects at the Nupi Lan memorial in Imphal, the state capital. The women of Manipur's resistance against British rule continues to serve as powerful symbols of leadership, courage, and collective struggle in Manipuri culture.

Professor K Ratnabali, Dean of Academic Affairs at Delhi University, attended as chief guest, while journalist Sonia Sorenshangbam served as guest of honor, according to organizers.

Ratnabali acknowledged that Manipuri women are renowned for their diligence and resilience.

"The observance of the Nupi Lan Day seeks to educate, inspire, and bring people together to reflect on the relevance of those struggles in today's socio-political context," explained NUPI president Ranjana Longjam.

During the previous year's Delhi event, participants ranged from a 17-year-old girl to an 84-year-old woman, representing the youngest and eldest runners respectively. Olympic silver medalist and Manipur native Mirabai Chanu, who attended that celebration, had told NDTV that nothing could have prepared her to witness Manipur's imas (mothers) running enthusiastically for several kilometers while wearing their traditional phanek.