Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 02 2009:
THE DIAMOND Jubilee of Chiengkawnpang Village in Churachandpur district was celebrated with much fanfare and joviality on Friday at Chiengkawn community hall.
The various communities living in the village came to live on full force as the celebration progresses from 10.30 in the morning till late in the night with many extravaganzas to mark the occasion.
"Being brought up at the village, I'm very much a part of Chiengkawnpang," Power Minister and circle MLA T Phungzathang, who was the Chief Guest of the day said recalling his schooling days in the late sixties at the village.
Praising the multi-cultural aspect of the village � which is a melting pot of different communities of the state including the Gangtes, Simtes, Paites, Thadous and the Meiteis, Phungzathang also assures the villagers that their needs will be addressed including renovation of the village community hall.
Walking down memory lane, Soizalal H Thangjom, a retired government officer of the village said that Chiengkawnpang village has made its presence felt even in the International level as well as in the national level while pointing out the achievements of several persons from the village since its foundation prior to India Independence.
A home to many people of diverse communities, and often referred to as a "Mini-Manipur," there was no wonder when cultural dances of the village inhabitants including Simte, Vaiphei, Paite, Meitei and KKL troupes were showcased during the daylong celebration programme.
The night programme, full of shows, also marked the final selection of the much anticipated Jubilee Star where competitors fiercely pitted against each other proving their prowess.
In the final countdown, triumphing over several knock out rounds, David Mate emergesto win the coveted Jubilee Star title beating eight hopeful aspirants while Khailallun and Celina Haokip have come next to the winner in that order.
With only two houses with eight people in 1934 when the village was founded by the late S Khuppau, this village evolves to be one of the high profile villages of Manipur by now with 520 households populated by around 3260 people.
The village has produced numerous military, civil and police officers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, educationists, politicians, sport stars, etc.
of world class.
A special mention of the oldest surviving villager of Chiengkawnpang � a 103 year old Pu Songzalal � was made during the Diamond Jubilee celebration.
Presentation of songs by Jubilee Choir, paying obeisance to the departed villagers, giving oblation to the Almighty, beating Jubilee Gong, etc have marked the Diamond Jubilee celebration.