Dampened Ningol Chakkouba in the offing
Ningols wary as GOVID-19 persists
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2020:
'Ningols/daughters' are going through an uneasy time as Ningol Chakkouba which celebrates the bond of love between brothers and sisters is fast approaching while at the same time COVID-19 related cases continue to grow.
With COVID-19 affecting all regardless of race, profession, social position and economic background, the Ningols are praying for a quick end of the pandemic and for normalcy to return.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Thiyam Sunita from Top Moirangkampu, who vends vegetables at Khurai Lamlong Keithel said that the COVID-19 outbreak has made everyone's life difficult and miserable.
The wrath of the pandemic is still felt and with little time being allotted to sell vegetables, she has been struggling to survive like others, she said.
As time keeps ticking on, the festival of Ningol Chakkouba is closing in, however celebration this time will not be the same as earlier as the pandemic has affected all spheres of life, she said.
Despite the deep impact, every household is sure to celebrate the day, she said while appealing all brothers and sisters to celebrate the occasion in the simplest ways.
May the outbreak and the uneasy situation caused by Covid end with the celebration of the festival, she prayed.
"2020 has been the worst year and may such a year never come back," she said.
Let there not be any race for gifts this time and in future, she continued while appealing all brothers and sisters to celebrate the essence of the day and not extravagantly.
She also wished all a happy 'Ningol Chakkouba' .
Another vegetable vendor, Jeena Tangkhul from Yaingangpokpi, also said Ningol Chakkouba will not be the same this year due to COVID-19 situation.
Manipur is a State dominated by economically marginalised population and COVID-19 and lockdown owing to its outbreak, have compounded the difficulties faced majority of the people, she said.
With the initiatives of various CSOs, the festival has been opened to all communities and celebrated by feasting together, however due to SOPs issued in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, no such mass celebration is expected this year, said the woman vendor who attended 'Ching-Tam' Chakkouba celebration in the past successive years.
While praying for the pandemic to end soon, she also extended best wishes to all brothers and sisters on the occasion and prayed that all COVID-19 infected persons recover very soon.
Majida, from Kairang, in the meantime said that it would be a different atmosphere if there was no COVID-19 issue in the State.
It would have been an exciting period for married sisters, old or young, who would have been gearing up for the visit to their parental homes over a feast prepared by their respective brothers, she said with regret.
COVID-19 has dampened the spirit of all brothers and sisters this time.
With the onslaught of COVID-19, her vegetable business has been ruined, she said while adding that days have never been easy ever since the virus landed in the State.
She also used to attend 'mass chakkouba' organised by various CSOs on this special day of Ningol Chakkouba but no such gathering and feasting is expected this year, she continued while praying for this pandemic to subside soon and normalcy returns.
While maintaining that she is happy to be born as a daughter in the State, Majida also preached for a simple celebration this time.