Mass Bible reading : Gangtes' bid to enter Limca Book of Records
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 16 2012: As part of the Gangte Gospel Centenary Celebration marking 100 years of embracing Christianity, thousands of people of the community participated in a mass Bible reading in a bid to enter the Limca Book of Records at the premises of Evangelical Synod Church (ESC), Chiengkawnpang, Churachandpur district on Sunday.

Led by Pastor K Moia, more than 2000 people gathered at ESC today afternoon and recited the book of Roman (chapters 1-16) from the Bible for 1 hour 27 seconds and 44 minutes.

Two observers namely Maniram Sharma (IAS), Assistant Commissioner of Churachandpur and L M Haokip (IPS), Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur observed the whole session.

Gangtes' bid to enter Limca Book of Records

Another significant part of the occasion was Gangtes from various parts of the country and even from abroad contributed their mite in the record making bid.

Interestingly, the handwritten Bible in Gangte dialect has been penned by four persons namely Mawithangkim of Lambulane, Imphal; Paubik of K Laitui, Sadar Hills and Tinglalchoi of Chiengkawnpang, Churachandpur and Chongneizo of Langvon in Churachandpur for a whole year from September 2011 to September 2012 .

Gangte tribe in Manipur who were migrated from the Lusai range in Mizoram settled in Manipur in the year 1773 and embraced Christianity in 1912 at Saichang village under Henglep Sub division in Churachandpur.

According to the 2001 Census report, around 15,100 Gangtes are residing in a total number of 45 villages in Manipur.

Earlier the migrated Gangte people settled at Tamenglong district's Gallon, Chongmun, Siempat, Longpi and Teikhang villages.

Later, they spread to other different parts villages like Muntha, Phaijang, Pangen, Tangvom, Vaipheimuol, Galkapkawt, Zalen, Neihlien, Khangpi, Tuilumlang, D Loupum, Nalawn, Khousabung, Tharoilok, Buoljang, Touibong , Ballei, Bijang, Gangte Veng, Gangpimoul and other villages under Churachandpur district and Henglep sub division.