'Revive the age old relationship of hills and valley for a strong Manipur'
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, December 29 2017:
Titular King Leisemba Sanajaoba has said that the people of Manipur residing in the hills and the valley, since time immemorial, as indigenous inhabitant of the State, must restore the age-old relationship as maintained by their forefathers, in order to create a strong Manipur.
Attending as the functional president of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Thawaijao Hungpung Young Students' Organization (THYSO) at Bakshi ground, Dungrei Hungpung, Ukhrul, he expressed gratitude to the organisers for giving him the privilege to attend the celebration.
The Diamond jubilee was celebrated under the theme "Horizon of Youth" .
Speaking on the occasion, Leishemba Sanajaoba reminded that Manipur is home to many ethnic tribes with diverse cultures, although they all live as one people of the State.
He urged the people to uphold the same spirit as their forefathers regarding the principles of living together in peace and harmony irrespective of caste or creed.
Sanajaoba further elaborated on the bloodline relationship between Tangkhul and Meitei communities while adding that without Tangkhul community, Mera Haochungba festival is meaningless.
Meanwhile, the guest of honour ICHAM ex-president, N Rajendra conveyed that among the various tribes of Manipur, the Tangkhul community has sacrificed the most to protect and safeguard Manipur and they have served the people of the State in different capacity after attaining statehood.
The State must recognize the sacrifices of the Tangkhul community and it must be recorded in the history of Manipur, he asserted.
He went on to mention that the Nagas and Meiteis have the same origin and belong to Mongoloid race, who migrated from Somrah area of Myanmar.
However, settlement at different location and practice of different religions, divided the people and it has strained the relationship between the community leading to numerous misunderstanding between the two.
On the other hand, BJP Ukhrul in-charge, Asnikumar who is also the vice chairman MIDA, lauded the Hungpung Youth for the magnificent display of cultural show and the initiative to preserve the dying tradition and culture of the indigenous people despite the rapid westernization in the State.
He alleged that the O Ibobi led Congress Government attempted to segregate the hills and the valley people for his political advantage for many years.
The chief guest of the function, Bembem, wife of Parliamentary Secretary L Susindro, unveiled the THYSO diamond jubilee monolith at Hungpung.
The Hao Tangkhul traditional life performed by THYSO youth which comprised of seed sowing festival, folk song, traditional grinding of rice, and other performances and activities including traditional game and Otrei Kaphung (Carrying of paddy from field) were showcased.
Pioneer of THYSO, M David narrated a brief history on how THYSO emerged in 1957 .
The programme was attended by Hungpung village headman Peter Wungngayung, Ex-BJP candidate Somatai Shaiza, VAs, women leaders, former youth leaders and villagers of Hungpung.