Chilli festival
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23 2016:
The 7th Sirarakhong Hathei Phanit (Chilli Festival) cum Farmers and Scientists Interaction would be held at Sirarakhong, Ukhrul district from August 25 to 27 .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Sirarakhong Village Authority member V Ningkhan Zimik said that the festival would be organised by Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Committee and the village authority under the sponsorship of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Ukhrul district administration and UDCRMS/IFAD, Ukhrul.
Ukhrul ADC Chairman Dr Yaronsho Ngalung and Ukhrul DC Hrisheekesh Modak will grace the opening ceremony of the three-day festival as chief guest and president respectively.
Talking about Sirarakhong chilli, Ningkhan Zimik said that an elderly person of the village first found Sirarakhong chilli plant in the forest as he went for hunting.
At that time he did not know that it was a chilli.
He brought the plant and planted it in his homestead.
It was only when the plant started flowering and bearing fruits that it was known that the plant was a chilli.
As bitterness is called 'Ha' in Tangkhul dialect, the plant came to be known as Hathei.
One unique characteristic of Sirarakhong chilli is that it does not thrive well even in adjoining villages like Tuinem, Tungou and Lam-lang.
Even though they grow, they always perish after some time.
In another word, this chilli only thrives at Sirarakhong, Ningkhan Zimik said.
Sirarakhong chilli is longer than other chilli varieties.
It is tastier and when used in the form of powder, it makes the dishes redder.
There is always a great demand for Sirarakhong chilli, he claimed.