First-ever freight train reaches Rani Gaidinliu station

TAMENGLONG, Jan 28
The first-ever freight train arrived at the Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station in Goinanglong (Oinamlong) village of Tamenglong district on Thursday, marking a major breakthrough for railway authorities who has put-in concerted efforts to improve the railway connectivity across Manipur and other North East States.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday confirmed the news. “In yet another milestone, the first ever Goods Train reached Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station, Tamenglong yesterday. The improvement in railway connectivity, under the close supervision of Hon’ PM Sh @narendramodi Ji, will immensely improve the socio-economic condition of Manipur.” – he wrote.
The 111 km project was sanctioned in 2013. One of the bridges, Noney bridge will be the world's tallest rail bridge (141 m) when completed. The project costing over Rs  14,000 crore includes 153 bridges and 46 tunnels, one of which is a 12 km single tube channel, which will be the second longest in the Indian Railways network.  
In September 2021, the Manipur Government announced its decision of renaming the Kaimei Railway Station to ‘Rani Gaidinliu Railway Station’. The decision was taken to honour the legendary freedom fighter and iconic leader – Rani Gaidinliu who valiantly fought against the Britishers.
Born on January 26, 1915 at Luangkao village now in Taosem sub-division under Tamenglong district, Rani Gaidinliu – the Naga spiritual and political leader, led an armed uprising against the British in Manipur, Nagaland and Assam.
Rani Gaidinliu at the age of 13 associated with Jadonang and became his lieutenant throughout his social, religious and political movements. Gaidinliu, along with her cousin Haipou Jadonang joined the Heraka movement, which aimed at revival of the Naga tribal religion and establishing self-rule of the Nagas (Naga Raj) ending the British rule.
Gaidinliu commenced a serious revolt against the British after the martyrdom of Jadonang, which led to her imprisonment by the Britishers for 14 years. Finally released in 1947, her role in the struggle against Britishers was highly acknowledged, which led to her introduction as “Rani”.
Released from Tura jail after India attained Independence, the renowned freedom fighter passed away on February 17, 1993 at her native village Luangkao. She was conferred with the Tamrapatra in 1972, Padma Bhushan in 1982, Vivekananda Sewa Summan in 1983, Stree Shakti Puraskar in 1991 and Bhagwan Birsa Munda Puraskar in 1996 posthumously. The Government of India (GoI) in 1996 also issued a commemorative stamp of Rani Gaidinliu.
On the occasion of her birth centenary commemoration function in 2015,  Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi released a coin of hundred rupees and another coin of five rupees. The Indian Coast Guard also commissioned a Fast Patrol Vessel “ICGS Rani Gaidinliu” on October 19, 2016.
Meanwhile, the Union Minister of Home Affairs & Cooperation, Amit Shah recently laid the foundation stone for setting-up the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal freedom fighters Museum at Luangkao village, Tamenglong district.
In an attempt to recognize the contribution of Rani Gaidinliu, the 44 Assam Rifles recently inaugurated a new air lounge named after her at Manipur’s Tamenglong district. According to a release, Tamenglong town has been interconnected with Imphal by a civil helicopter service through a helipad within the 44 Assam Rifles Camp.
Our Correspondent and North East Today