Manipur school’s candlelight vigil sends national message: ‘When one bleeds, we all bleed’

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 3, 2025

In a moving act of national solidarity, PP Christian English High School in Manipur’s Senapati district held a candlelight vigil to honour the 26 lives lost in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The emotional gathering brought together students, teachers, parents, and community leaders under one roof—not just to mourn, but to declare unity against terror.

The vigil, held in the school’s hall, began with a minute of silence followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem. Students held placards bearing messages like “We want justice”, “Down with terrorism”, and “India stands united”, turning the space into a powerful arena of collective resolve.

The highlight of the evening was an electrifying speech by Class 8 student Dishunga Perry. Her words—delivered with clarity and conviction—resonated deeply with the crowd: “We will not forget. We will not forgive. India will not bow. Not now. Not ever. We want justice—born not of hate, but of pain. Justice that honours the tears of every orphan and every grieving parent… India is one—from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Manipur to Maharashtra.”

Vice Principal Bonbon Rajkumar followed with a message that cut through the air with its blunt strength: “This wasn’t just an attack on lives—it was an attack on the soul of India. No act of terror will go unanswered. We stand united—from the blood-soaked valleys of Pahalgam to the proud hills of Manipur.”

Ng. Joseph, principal of the school and a respected voice in the Maram Naga community, brought the evening to a close with a stirring message to India’s youth: “Let every terrorist and sympathiser hear this—the youth of Manipur are awake. The Northeast is not silent. We are rising, we are ready.”

He emphasized the role of education in nation-building, stating that PP Christian English High School is committed not just to academics but to shaping character, empathy, and national values.

The emotional peak of the evening came as 28 candles were lit—each flame representing a life lost in the attack. As the crowd stood in silence, the hall filled with chants that rang out like a collective oath -“Bharat Mata ki Jai!”, “Justice for Pahalgam!”, “Down with Terrorism!”

Organisers closed the programme with a message of unity, underscoring that terrorism cannot divide a nation whose people are united in grief and purpose.

In that moment, in a quiet school hall in Manipur, the spirit of India stood tall—unshaken and unbreakable.