Hathei Phanit kicks off at Sirarakhong
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18 2014:
The 5th Hathei Phanit (Chilly Festival) 2014 was kick-started today at Sirarakhong village, Ukhrul district.
The festival is being jointly organised by Sirarakhong Shanao Long, Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Council and Sirarakhong NaRM-G with the support of International Fund for Agricultural Development, Ukhrul and Horticulture Mission for North Eastern Himalayan Region, Manipur.
The opening function was graced by Kh Nimaicharan as chief guest who served as a teacher at Sirarakhong Government Middle English School (now upgraded to the status of a High School) in 1952.He also inaugurated a Hathei House.
A variety of stalls exhibiting/selling dry and green chillies as well as chilly products are the main attractions of the festival or fair.
A number of Self Help Groups, chilly farmers and other entrepreneurs are taking part in the fair.
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Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Council secretary and Sirarakhong Shanao Long president Tamsingphy Waleng said that the festival is aimed at promoting Sirarakhong chillies and chilly products across the world.
Majority of the Sirarakhong villagers are farmers and their principal crop is chilly.
At present, chilly is planted over 38 acres and yield ranges between 50 Kg to 80 Kg per acre.
Sirarakhong chilly has a unique quality.
Earlier, Sirarakhong chillies were purchased in bulk by Horticulture Department but they are now sold by the villagers/cultivators themselves, Tamsingphy said.
As part of the festival, a training programme would be organised tomorrow under the aegis of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Manipur.
The third part of the festival would feature a traditional fashion parade and prize distribution ceremony.
Speaking at the opening function, Kh Nimaicharan narrated his experience of yesteryears at the village where he worked as a young school teacher.
His son, Kh Ratankumar, is now a Horticulture Officer and visited Sirarakhong recently.
It was only after his son reminded him about Sirarakhong that Nimaicharan made up his mind to do something for the village.
Subsequently, the Hathei House was set up, added the retired teacher.