The INA War Memorial is located in Moirang in Manipur. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian flag at this spot for the very first time on April 14, 1944. He was credited with founding the Indian National Army (INA) or the Azad Hind Fauj, whose purpose was to liberate India from the British with the help of the Japanese troops. The INA was first founded in 1942 and was later revived by Bose in 1943. Following the hoisting of the flag, Moirang became the headquarters of the INA and occupies a place in the historical annals of India’s freedom movement. The INA memorial also houses a museum which contains some mementos and personal artifacts of people involved with the INA. It was prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru who first suggested that a memorial be set up to honour those who lost their lives and dedicated themselves to India’s freedom struggle with Bose. The construction of the monument began in 1967 when there were reasonable funds collected from the state and central governments. The Netaji Library was completed on October 21.
The cost of constructing the INA complex was pegged at over Rs 6.23 crore. The union tourism ministry had in 2010 sanctioned the first installment of Rs 12 crore for upgradation of the ‘Indian National Army memorial complex mega project’. The total cost of the project was pegged at Rs 25 crore.
The site is quite popular with Japanese and English visitors who visit to pay tribute to their forefathers whose lives perished in Manipur during World War II.
The state government had accorded top-most priority to boost tourism in the state and taken up series of initiatives to increase the flow of both domestic and foreign tourists. The central government also agreed to the state’s proposal to set up a tourist lodge of international standards at Sendra, a small hillock overlooking the famous Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district of the state at a cost of Rs two crore.
Additionally, to showcase the rich history of Manipur’s tourism potential, ethnic art and culture, cuisine and handicrafts, the state tourism department organised the ‘Manipur Sangai Festival’, 2010 at the Hafta Kangjeibung, Palace Compound, Imphal. More than 100 stalls were present at the 10-day ‘Manipur Sangai Festival’, with participation from other North-Eastern states including Assam.
According to published reports, The union minister for rural development, Jairam Ramesh, had suggested that the INA complex be given the status of a heritage site.
Manipur is bestowed with natural beauty and a culture that is yet unknown in much of India. Some attractions worth visiting include the War Cemetery, Manipur Zoological Gardens and Langthabal.
How to reach there
By Air: Imphal Airport is located some 30 km from Moirang.
Where to stay
The Classic Hotel in Imphal is eight km from the airport.
