Gangtes Read 'Romans' To Enter Limca Book Of World Records
7047 partake in reading the Holy Scripture
Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka, December 16 2012:
A 7,047 strong people of the Gangte community read the whole book of Romans in their dialect in an attempt to make a way into the Limca Book of World Record as a part of the Gangte Christian Gospel Centenary celebration at Chiengkonpang in Churachandpur district today.
The mass Bible reading started exactly at 1.26 pm Sunday and the reading completed at 2.53 pm with Mani Ram Sharma, Assistant Commissioner of Churachandpur and LM Haokip, SP of Churachandpur as the witnesses.
The Gangte is one among the recognized tribe of the State who trace their origin to the Khul with a population of around 20,000, according to the latest Census.
The Gangte people celebrated hundredth year of Christianity from December 13 at Chiengkonpang in Churachandpur.
History has it that the Gangtes in different stages of history 'swim the cloud,' 'blunted axe on their toes,' and 'whipped elephants by loin cloth.' The attempt to secure a place in the Limca Book of World Record has been made as an endeavor to set another milestone and a gesture to acknowledge the 'blessings' and 'faithfulness' of God to the community thus far, according to Elder (Prof) LS Gangte, Chairman of Gangte Christian Gospel Centenary Celebration Committee.
The Gospel, among the Gangtes, first set its foot at Saichang village under Henglep subdivision in Churachandpur in 1912.There were only eleven converts at Saichang village then.
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Propagated by two pioneering missionaries � Evan Thangvang and Evan Damsouk, the whole populace of the community have been converted to Christianity now.
The early converts were also honoured during the celebration programme.
The whole Book of Romans, having 16 chapters in all, was read by the community today with four leaders including Rev K Mawia, Rev L Sata, Rev T Gangte and Rev GS Gangte leading the gatherings in different stages.
The time keeper of the mass Bible reading was Robin Gangte, SO, Prasar Bharti, Ministry of I&B, Govt of India.
"I feel so lucky to be a part of the mass Bible reading today, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the annals of Manipur history," said Ngaineihkim Gangte, an enthusiatic participant of the mass Bible reading.
Elder LS Gangte, Chairman of the Gangte Christian Gospel Centenary Celebration committee wished the celebration and all the activities bring peace and tranquility in the State.
The valedictory function of the centenary programme at Chiengkonpang with a number of singers and choirs belting out heart rending and soul touching numbers on the stages was held on Sunday night.
In the variety programme tonight, Elder Nengthang of Chongchin village recited the whole book of Revelation.