Source: Manipur Mail
Imphal, January 16:
A State level Chakan Gaan-Ngai festival was inaugurated by the Governor Ved Prakash Marwah at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT).
Inaugurating the festival, he said that we are here to celebrate Gaan-Ngai, the greatest living religious and cultural festival of the Zeliangrong brethren of North East India.
While celebrating Gaan-Ngai the Governor said he hopes that we follow the message that this festival conveys.
In Manipur hardly a month passes without a festival or two.
All the festivals, irrespective of their belongingness, should be celebrated in their true spirit, for they will go a long way in strengthening unity and peace amongst different communities and groups of people, he also said.
In enjoying a festival the edifice of oneness gets strengthened and preservation of this bond of oneness is the need of the hour and what the Manipuri society calls for today, he further said.
He said he is happy to note that organization of games and sports activities have now become one of the main features of the celebration of the festival of Gaan-Ngai.
Without discipline no society can move forward and, therefore, organization of sports activities during the festival of Gaan-Ngai is desirable feature.
Manipur today is facing a plethora of problems on various.
It is far behind the other sister states of the country so far as development is concerned.
The state has to make up the shortcomings of the past many years so as to bring it at par with the other developed states, he said.
One of the main objectives of the celebration of the festival of Gaan-Ngai is to teach boys and girls to maintain strict discipline, he concluded.
O Ibobi Chief Minister of Manipur who presided over the function said people of different ethnic group have been living together as one family since a long time.
We should preserve our culture he said.
The participation of many non Zeliangrong communities in the celebration clearly says we all are one: We all should protect our territory as one people together he said.
He announced that Rs 20,000 will be given from his discretionary fund to the organizers.
Former Chief Minister W Nipamacha Z Mangaibou Minister Labour, G Patrick ZU President also spoke on the occasion.
Many beautiful cultural items by different cultural troupes were also presented.
The Governor Ved Marwah released two books on Gaan-Ngai.
Gaan-Ngai which is one of the biggest and most important festivals of Zeiiangrong community was observed at the Head Office, Zeliangrong Union, Kakhulona, Paona bazar, Imphal organized by Zeliangrong Cultural Hao Chaprial Pei (ZCCHCP) at 6.00 am.
The occasion was observed with traditional fire milking (MAIRAPMEI) and offering of wine to the Almighty God (Haipou Tingkao Raguang) with a mass prayer.
Prof Meijinglung Kamson, President, Zeliangrong CuItural Council (ZCC) and Lalchonlung Palmei, member ZCC briefly highlighted the importance and characteristic on theme "GAAN-NGAI" festival.
The function was also attended by G Patrick, President Zeliangrong Union (AMN) as the chief guest.