CM urges for discarding divisive outlook
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, October 20 2021:
Mera Houchongba, the festival which exemplifies oneness and brotherhood among people of different ethnic communities of Manipur, was celebrated with pomp, gaiety and traditional fervour at Sana Konung (Royal Palace), Kangla Fort and Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple complex, Haying Khongban on Wednesday.
The state level function jointly organised by Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board and Uttra Shanglen Sana Konung was attended by chief minister N Biren as chief guest and Rajya Sabha MP and titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba as functional president.
State Planning Board deputy chairman L Rameshwor Meetei, former minister RV Mingthing, RSS PRO Sunil Despande and Assam Zone pracharak pramukh Ashokan Kusaliyat also attended the celebration as dignitaries, among others.
Conduct of important age-old rituals, Pot Lannaba (exchange of gifts) and presentation of colourful cultural items of different communities were the main highlights of the event.
Other important rituals like Mera Men Tongba, Mera Thaomei Thanba and Yenkhong Tamba were also performed at Sana Konung led by titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba in the morning.
During the programme, CM N Biren exchanged gifts with RV Mingthing while Sunil Despande exchanged gifts with former president of Tangkhul Naga Long Hopingson Shimray.
MP Leishemba Sanajaoba also exchanged gifts with Ningthoupham village chief BK John Thangal.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister N Biren exhorted that the gathering that it is now time to discard the sense of disintegration and divisive outlook but work together for a united Manipur and India.
"Let's do away with the division among various communities residing in the state and strengthen the bond between hill and valley people that has been present since ancient times," appealed the chief minister.
N Biren further said that different organisations and institutions used to celebrate the festival independently at different locations earlier.
However, the present government convinced them to come together to organise it as a state level celebration in a grand manner in 2017.Since then, the festival is being celebrated as a state level function, he added.
The CM continued that this year, celebrations had been toned down due to Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it could not be called off considering its significance in strengthening fraternal bond among different communities, he stated.
N Biren stressed that unity between hill and valley people had been strengthened in the past four and half years with the coming of the new government.
It was testified on many occasions when people of hill districts brought vegetables grown in their villages for valley people when the lockdown was imposed last year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
It showed hill people's affection for their brothers in the valley, the chief minister opined.
MP Leishemba Sanajaoba pointed out that Mera Houchongba festival is a proof of the age-old bond of brotherhood between the hill and valley communities.
It is a festival which is celebrated without any religious or communal difference as an ancient tradition and cultural practice.
He also wished that the festival strengthen the bonds among the communities of the state and bring a peaceful and united Manipur.
Meanwhile, ACOAM Kangleipak organised its 21st Mera Hou Chongba celebration at Utonglok Koireng village on Wednesday.
The programme was attended by Lup president Sanjit Soraisam, CLK advisor Ksh Phajaton, KILIPR secretary Kh Shanta and Utonglok Koireng village leaders.
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