CM touched by ATSUM's Christmas carol
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, December 18 2018:
As a built-up to the impending Christmas celebration ATSUM conducted a curtain-raiser programme at the official residence of the Chief Minister on December 16 in the presence of his family members.
Christmas carol was conducted in front of Chief Minister N Biren Singh's residence where the ATSUM Carol team sang Christmas song and gyrated with dances.
Impressed by the visit Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his family arranged a sumptuous dinner for the 30 strong ATSUM Carol team.
Maintaining that the visit was historic and the first of its kind in the recent history of Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that he Was deeply touched by the noble gesture and thanked the visiting team.
Applauding Biren Singh for all the noble initiative that was undertaken by his Government for the hill people, ATSUM president Vareiyo Shatsang said, "Biren is the CM of the people because during his short stint of around one and half year there has been significant improvement in the relationship between the hill and valley people.
This is a crucial achievement that the people of Manipur should commit to their heart" .
"Chief Ministers will come and go but the fact that Biren had set the bar of governance to such a high standard that it will be almost impossible for future CM to emulate it," maintained Shatsang while adding that never was there a thaw in the relationship between the hill and valley people like the one all are witnessing right now.
"All these are possible because the Biren-led government has built a metaphorical bridge where all community residing in Manipur can walk in peace," Shatsang continued.
ATSUM education secretary, Kakai Singsit said, "Jesus Christ, in reverence of whose birth Christmas is being celebrated every year is christened as the Prince of Peace and so Biren Singh Government has brought peace to the hill people which is manifested by the resounding welcome he had got during his visit to the hill district whereas his predecessor was given frigid reception during his visit to the same place".
"Biren is also the embodiment of peace so this was the crux of conducting Christmas carol at the CM's residence," Kakai Singsit added.
ATSUM general secretary, Seiboi Haokip said, "Christmas was born to eradicate all manner of evils, greed, hatred and hypocrisy, lust, deluded attachment, pride and jealousy prevailing upon the land and to establish the peace on earth while adding that of a truth, it is the season of merriment but of a different kind".
"Position and possessions does not guarantee peace on earth but the peace that passed all human understanding, the divine peace that no man can give to us," Seiboi noted before adding that Jesus is the only source of this peace and Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ that brings good will to all people which connotes blessings.
Seiboi Haokip said, "Though we are not all Christians, we all are human beings and by virtue of this simple fact I will again reiterate my belief that it is not only appropriate but more importantly, it is necessary during this special time of year to remember not only the birth of Jesus Christ, but also to recognize the important impact that the Christian faith has had on the foundation and development of our society, our Nation, and our civilization" .
"Halleluiah! We have made it to another Christmas, the season of joy, peace and goodwill to all men.
Merry Christmas to you and your entire household", Seiboi wished the Chief Minister and his family while welcoming the people Manipur to the season of blessings.
The ATSUM general secretary also flesh out the nitty-gritty of Christmas carols and its ritualistic significance to the family of the host.