Hill-valley bond recalled at Mera Houchongba event
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, October 20 2021:
Mera Houchongba festival held every year on the full moon day of Mera month of Meetei calendar was held on Wednesday at M Ringpam village in Tengnoupal district.
It was the fourth Mera Houchongba ceremony held at M Ringpam village with traditional fervour and piety.
The ceremony was jointly organised by Indigenous Minority Organisation Manipur (IMOM), Hao Mee Research Guild Manipur (HRGM), Manipur Peace and Integrity (MAPI) Council, United People's Front (UPF), Indigenous Minority Sodo Cultural Organisation Manipur (IMSCOM) and National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) in coordination with M Ringpam village authority.
The ceremony was attended by IMOM president Medun Maring, IMOM former president Khuplar Kom, NIPCO president Th Manihar, HRGM chairman Robin Shinglai, IMSCOM president Momsokam Bapuji, MAPI Council president in-charge Kc Romeo, UPF president N Rupachandra, M Ringpam village headman S Wungshumi, Salung-pham Gram Panchayat pradhan Ph Leibakchao and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University faculty Homen Thangjam as presidium members.
In his speech, NIPCO president Th Manihar said that Mera Houchongba ceremony is being held at M Ringpam village in view of increasing political crisis and increasing enmity among different communities owing to divisive policy of the government of India which threatens to strain the fraternal bond among the hills and valley people.
Mera Houchongba ceremony is the first step towards cementing the age old relation between hills and valley, he said, adding that organising the ceremony will be meaningless if those attending it fail to understand its importance.
He then called upon every community to remember history and live together in harmony.
Delivering the key note address of the ceremony, MAPI council secretary M Neta said that Mera Houchongba ceremony is being held at M Ringpam village to strengthen relation between people of hills and valley who have been living together since time immemorial in harmony.
He pointed out that it has been a tradition for the Meetei families to hoist lit lamp atop a bamboo pole in the middle of courtyard of every household on the full moon day of Mera month every year to signify their safety when the hill dwellers assess condition in the plains from distant locations.
Such a practice is also found in the history of the hill people as well, he said.
As a resource person, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University faculty Homen Thangjam spoke on the topic 'Mera Houchongba Amasung Chingmi Tammi Gi Wari' at the ceremony which was marked by presentation of cultural items by different cultural troupes and exchange of gifts between hills and valley people.