Fest lights up Hiyangthang
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 25 2013: Gaan Ngai, the biggest post harvest festival of the Zeliangrong people residing in Manipur, Assam and Nagaland has kick started with religious fervour and cultural gusto from today.

The State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee celebrated the festival at Hiyangthang Kabui Khun.

Naoriya Pakhanglakpa A/C MLA RK Anand, who was the chief guest of the celebration declared the festival open.

United Committee Manipur (UCM) President Y Nabachandra, Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) General Secretaries Chaoba Kamson, Leirenjao Maringmei and Hiyangthang Khun Khullakpa Ganglaona Maringmei were the guests of honour respectively.

Shouting of hoi (invocation of Tingkao Ragwang), extraction of sacred fire and presentation of traditional dances and songs were the main attractions of the celebration.

Speaking at the occasion, MLA RK Anand expressed concern over organising of the State level celebration by two different groups at two different locations.

In this regard, drawing attention of the State Government, the MLA urged to find out the right group and entrust them to organise the State level Gaan Ngai celebration.

He also urged the Government to intervene into the issue and resolve the differences between these two groups.

On the otherhand, RK Anand also expressed concern over demands of 'homeland' by some communities of the State.

Observing that such demands bring disunity and disharmony among the communities of the State, the MLA urged all the communities concerned to drop such demands.

In view of the Gaan Ngai festival, he also appealed the KSDC to suspend the ongoing bandh being clamped in Kuki areas.

UCM President Y Nabachandra while speaking at the function mentioned about the need of protection of cultural identity by different communities of the State.

Maintaining that indigenous religion and tradition are the identities of the respective communities, Y Nabachandra lauded Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak Phom for their effort in the protection of TRC religion and culture for the people of Kabui community.

Saying that extraction of sacred fire and offering of holy wine to supreme God which are significant components of Gaan Ngai festival were also practised by Meitei people, Y Nabachandra said that such similarities in traditional practices show that the two communities have been living together in Manipur since time immemorial.

He also extended wish to the people of Manipur especially to the people of Kabui community for prosperity, peace and harmony.

In his speech, State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee President Poudungai Kamson disclosed the gathering on how Gaan Ngai became a State holiday and inception of State level celebration.

He said, following a memorandum submitted to the then Chief Minister by TRC, Gaan Ngai was declared a State holiday in 1998 .

Although, the festival was excluded from the list of State holidays in 2002, he said adding that Gaan Ngai was again included in the list of State holidays following intense pressures from the public and civil society organisations in 2003 .

In the same year, the first State level Gaan Ngai was celebrated at BOAT in the presence of the then Governor and Chief Minister by State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee.

After going through lots of hardships by the committee in organising the celebration from 2003 to 2007, the State Government included budgetary allocation for the festival in 2008, he said.

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