MLA Khashim wants 'Raphei Gate' to be a 'Gilgal'
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, December 08 2021: During the time of Joshua in the Old Testament, the first place the Israelites camped before entering the 'Promised Land', Canaan, was 'Girgal' .

The Israelites set up stones there to remind their descendants of God's grace throughout their journey out of slavery in Egypt.

Girgal became a place of consecration for generations of the Israelites.

"Let us all make this historic gate a 'Girgal' not just for the Raphei inhabitants but for the Tangkhuls as a whole," Chingai MLA Khashim Vashum exhorted while inaugurating the newly-constructed 'Raphei Gate II' at Halang village on Wednesday.

The gate, located about 20 km west of Ukhrul town leads to northern region of the district.

MLA Khashim said that gates are the guiding light for travellers and people have been relying on them since olden days.

"Like the Israelites did, let us also make this gate a place of consecration.

Let us all sanctify ourselves before going through this gate," he exhorted.

He also asked everyone who will move out of this gate to carry with them the goodness of Raphei.

"In their return journey, let them cast off their iniquities before passing through the gate, and take in only the goodness," he said.

The MLA said that he is taking keen interest in installing such gates at all possible points because they not only serve as land demarcation, but are also helping people in many ways.

He also thanked Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) for their concerns and monitoring of the work till completion of the gate construction.

He informed that construction of similar zonal gates is going on at Jessami subdivision and that more such gates are coming up in Western region and Sagolmang area.

MLA Khashim also disclosed that construction of Girls' Hostels are ongoing at Peh village, and Chingai village and that construction of similar students' hostels would soon be taken up at Phungcham and Jessami villages.

During the inauguration, Tangkhul Naga Wungnao Long (TNWL) president SA Ramnganing highlighted the history and cultural significance of building the zonal gateways.

He said that building of zonal gateways in Raphei area is a first of its kind in the history of Tangkhul community.

"We have seen Raphei Gate I at Langdang village (which was also funded by MLA Khashim).

Today, we have Raphei Gate II.

But nowhere else have I seen such zonal gateways in the rest of the Tangkhul zones," he said.

Touching upon its significance, Ramnganing said that the gate acts not only as a demarcation of Raphei region, the northern part of the district, but also as an identity for the local populace.

"I wish luck, goodwill and prosperity for everyone who will pass through the gate during their journey," he said.

Ramnganing also informed that Raphei villages have a strong bonding among themselves and attributed it to Raphei Wunganao Long (RWL), a conglomeration of northern village chiefs, which was founded for the welfare of Raphei people.

The inauguration was attended by former UADC members Lawrence, Vs Pothing and HS Ngamsung, village chiefs of Halang Ato, Halang Aze and public leaders and local villagers.

Comment