Villagers cross border for cultural gala at Ngahui village
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray
Ngahui (Ukhrul), December 16 2012:
To revive the age-old relation among the Indo-Myanmar border villagers, Border Area Villages Association (BAVA) organised a cultural exchange programme inviting a cultural troupe from Somra areas of Myanmar.
In the first Cultural Exchange programme of its kind being held at Ngahui village from December 15-17, Somra villagers walked across the border and lent a delightful colour to the cultural extravaganza, the inaugural function of which was graced by Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul R Sudhan and Joint Director of State Planning N Kulkarni as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Sudhan felt that the cultural exchange as such would foster good understanding, love and harmony among the community which are the key in ushering development in the area.
Lauding the efforts of BAVA in organising the programme, he also appreciated the Somra cultural troupes for being a part of the event displaying their long preserved culture.
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Kulkarni also spoke on the occasion and made a special acknowledgement of the BAVA's initiative.
In the afternoon session, a slew of cultural competitions were conducted for the various participating villages.
Highlight of the programme included folk songs, dances and display of traditional practices.
Ngahui villagers displayed ''Shimsak'' - the traditional way of making a house in which involvement of entire community is an indispensable part of the ceremony.
Solomon Theipung, a writer and human rights activist from Somra, recalled the old ties between the Tangkhul community of India and Myanmar.
''The culture exchange as such is not a new thing.
We have a very old relation even in trade and commerce.
Those things have been forgotten by today's generation,'' he rued.
In the closing ceremony, Commandant of 41 Assam Rifles Col.RC Katooch graced as chief guest.
Ukhrul NYK co-ordinator Paulina Monsang also attended the porgramme.
Popular Tangkhul singers Shimreingam, Ngathingpam and Sochihan entertained the crowds with soulful renditions.
In future BAVA plans to organise more cultural exchange programmes and urged the public to extend cooperation to its initiative.