Preserve culture and dialects: Arjun tells tribal folks
Culture of the North-eastern region depicting age old tradition of the tribal people is unique in its own way: Governor
Source: Chronicle News Service / PIB
Imphal, April 19 2023:
Union minister of tribal affairs Arjun Munda has said that the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been giving special emphasis on preserving culture and tradition of the tribal people across the country.
In the new National Education Pol icy framed by the Centre, special chapters highlighting the cultural heritages of the tribal are also included, Arjun Munda said and urged the tribal people to protect and preserve their cultures and dialects while pointing out that culture of a community is the identity of that particular community.
Addressing the gathering at the closing function of the two-day 5th State Level Hun festival of the Thadou tribe held at Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi on Wednesday, Arjun Munda lauded the tribal people of Manipur for keeping alive the culture and tradition inherited from their forefathers.
Tribal people are leading a happy life anywhere they live and this happiness cannot be purchased from market.
To carry on this kind of lifestyle of the tribal people, the Central government under the leadership of PM Modi has been making all-out effort to protect and preserve the culture and tradition of the tribal people including their dialects, he said, while maintaining that the Central government has been taking up various schemes and projects for the welfare and improve living standard of tribal people across the country.
Union minister of state for education and external affairs RK Ranjan, who also attended the closing function, said that Thadou is one of the biggest communities and has lived in Manipur since ancient times and their culture and tradition have many similarities with other ethnic communities including the Meiteis.
He also said that every ethnic community of Manipur must respect other communities and take part in each other's festivals.
The closing day of the Hun festival was marked with traditional dance, music and indigenous games.
Textiles, commerce, and Industries minister Nemcha Kipgen was chief host of the closing function also attended by tribal affairs minister Letpao Haokip, BJP general secretary (Organisation) Manipur and Nagaland Abhay Kumar Giri and MLA Sapam Kunjakishore Singh.
Letpao Haokip, in his speech, termed the Hun as one of the biggest festivals of the Thadou community and said that the festival is celebrated at the beginning of a year to offer prayers to the Almighty for a fruitful year ahead.
Later in the evening, Governor Anusuiya Uikey attended the Hun celebration as chief guest with additional chief secretary Paulunthang Vaiphei as functional president and health and family welfare minister Dr Ranjan Sapam Singh as guest of honour.
Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh and Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar also attended the session as special guests.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Anusuiya Uikey appreciated the Thadou tribe for organising the Hun cultural festival under the theme 'Drug free society' and said that Hun celebration with the theme would play a pivotal role in saving many young lives from the menacing drugs and also in eradicating drugs from the society.
She acknowledged the immense contribution of the tribal people in the preservation and protection of land, water and forest in the country and said that tribal people in the country deserve proper lifestyle and development while the problems and grievances of the tribal people should be addressed appropriately.
She also assured of looking into the problems and grievances of the tribal people.
Expressing happiness on attending the closing ceremony of the festival, the Governor maintained that culture of the north-eastern region depicting age old tradition of the tribal people is unique in its own way.
She said that cultural festivals are important as they highlight the beautiful culture and tradition of the people apart from bringing forth the significance of living together peacefully.
She maintained that such a festival riot only gives a platform for showing the culture but also provides a good opportunity to youth to eradicate drug menace and bring a drug free state.
She also called upon the people to help government in the fight against drug menace.
Expressing her gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for assigning her to look after a beautiful state like Manipur, the Governor also commended chief minster N Biren, his cabinet colleagues and MLAs for bringing development in the state.