Governor leads in Ningol Chakkouba greetings
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 14 2012:
On the eve of Ningol Chakkouba festival, Governor Gurbachan Jagat, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Archbishop of Imphal Rev Dominic Lumon, DD and Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board, among others, have conveyed greetings to the people of Manipur.
In his message to the people, Gurbachan Jagat wished the people a 'joyous and happy Ningol Chakkouba' and said that this is a unique festival of the Meetei community, observed on the second day of the new moon of Hiyangei which rejuvenates family relations and bolsters the bond of love and affection between married sisters and brothers.
The Governor observed that the ethos of Ningol Chakkouba has been appreciated by the other communities and this festival is recently been celebrated with other communities.
This brings about understanding among the various communities and help in preserving and promoting unity and integrity in the society.
Greeting the people on Ningol Chakkouba, Chief Minister O Ibobi wished, "Let us imbibe the ideals associated with this festival to foster the spirit of amity, harmony and goodwill in our lives" .
The Chief Minister observed that Ningol Chakkouba is a grant festival of anipur when married women and their children are invited for feast by their parents and brothers.
Though the festival is originally observed by the Meitei community, the celebration now extends to other communities and tribes in Manipur, thereby, reinforcing unity amidst diversity in the State.
"This festival promotes the feeling of peaceful co-existence and harmonious social life by reaffirming our faith in the traditional values of love and protection", Ibobi added.
The Archbishop of Imphal Rev Dominic Lumon said that "Ningol Chakouba is one of the most meaningful traditional feasts of Manipur.
On this day the parental family members invited their married women and prepared "iinjang mathen-mathen" (delicious variety cuisine).
The married daughters in return bring home gifts of love to their parents and brothers according to their capapcity as a sign of their love for union with their parental home.
This family re-union is indeed one of the best traditional values of our Meitei community, in particular.
Though it appears to be inward looking, it is an outward looking feast with a great potential for creating harmonious social co-excistence as the daughters are married to diverse communities and clan members" .
Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board also greeted the people of Manipur for a happy and prosperous Ningol Chakkouba.
Secretary of Women Welfare of Social Welfare Association of Kangleipak Th Romita Chanu has also conveyed the Ningol Chakkouba greetings to the people of Manipur wishing them a peaceful co-existence among various communities in the state.
On the other hand, Director General of Assam Rifles Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh and IGAR (S) Major General UK Gurung as well as All Ranks of Assam Rifles have also extended a very warm greetings and sincere goodwill to the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of "Ningol Chakkouba" .
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