Gift competition: Taking away the essence of Ningol Chakkouba
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Rorrkychand
Imphal, November 14 2012:
As the most awaited festival, Ningol Chakkouba is just few hours away from celebration, the markets in and around the city witnessed hectic activities with buyers and sellers jostling for space on Wednesday.
In a tour of the city market, some of the married women and brothers who came to make their purchases observed that in the present Manipuri society, the false concept of competition over dakhina (gift) is becoming a tradition.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Soubam Manglembi (32) of Potsangbam Khullen, who came to purchase utensils and blankets, said that everybody knows that the race for presenting precious dakhina to married women on Ningol Chakouba is very unfortunate.
But all are in this race and this has become a culture in Manipur.
It defies the essence of celebrating the festival, which is being observed to strengthen the bond of love and unity among brothers and sisters.
She also observed that presenting precious gifts does not indicate the status of the paternal family of the married women.
Karam Priyo (38) of Karam Awang Leikai, who would be inviting his 13 Ningols including some of his aunties, said that he is going to present each of the Ningol a woolen shawl and a bucket.
Basically, we are celebrating Ningol Chakkouba to strengthen the bond of love between married sisters and their brothers.
So, there is nothing like presentation of gift becoming mandatory on the occasion, he opined.
Laitonjam Mohendro (55) of Wangkhei Ayangpalli, who came to Thangal bazaar to purchase water purifier, said that selection of gifts to be presented on Ningol Chakkouba is confusing.
Whether or not the Ningols would like the gift is not a concern any more but what other people would think is.
During the market survey, proprietors of cloth shops, utensils and electronic goods revealed that imported blankets from Moreh, utensils items, water purifier and TV sets are selling like hot cakes.
Ng Inaocha, proprietor of Thoibi Market store at Thangal bazaar, said that among the best selling items during this Ningol Chakkouba are TVs and washing machines.
On the other hand, the price of Banana which is one of the essential items on this occasion has shoot up while the rate of coconut and apple remain almost unchanged.