PREPAK greets on Cheiraoba
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 10 2013:
Greeting the people on the eve of the Manipuri New year - Sajibu Nongma Panba Cheiraoba, the proscribed PREPAK said that the auspicious occasion is yet another opportunity for the people to introspect and understand their own traditions and religious practices.
A statement issued by the assistant secretary of PREPAK's Publicity and Propaganda Leibak Ngakpa Luwang said that celebrating Cheiraoba according to the Manipuri lunar calendar will not only facilitate gradual revival of the centuries old traditions/customary practices but also enable one to understand that Manipur as a Nation State has its own rich history.
Moreover history of Cheiraoba celebration from the time of Meidingu Kiyamba (1467-1508) clearly illustrates that Manipuri forefathers had rich knowledge in astrology, said the assistant secretary while expressing confidence that close adherence to traditions would certainly usher in positive tidings in the present society.
Regretting that some erstwhile rulers of the then independent Manipur kingdom influenced by a Bengali scholar disregarded the traditions and thus posed threat to the age-old practices including celebration of two Cheiraobas in a calendar year, Leibak Ngakpa said there is hardly any need for celebrating a second Cheiraoba as the truth is already before the people.
While Sajibu Nongma Panba Chairaoba heralds the Manipuri New year, Charak Puja (second Cheiraoba) marks the end of the year as per Bengali calendar with prayers offered to Mahadev.
For the Manipuri (meitei) celebrating Cheiraoba tomorrow would serve as one of the means to prevent the indigenous people from being marginalised or its traditions diluted to the tradition of others, he added.