Gangtes in Limca Record
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 23 2013 :
The Gangte tribe of Manipur has set the World Record for organi-sing the biggest mass Bible reading.
The Limca Book of Records, Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records have officially accorded and certified the recognition.
On December 16, 2012, a total of 7047 Gangtes drawn from all over the State mass read the book of Roman (Chapter 1-16) in 1.27 hour in standing position as part of the Gangte Gospel Centenary celebration at Chiengkawn-pang in Churachandpur.
Announcing the feat it achieved to media persons today at the Manipur Press Club, Chairman of Gangte Christian Gospel Centenary Committee, Manipur, Elder (Prof) LS Gangte said, "The main aim of mass Bible reading was to spread the gospel throughout the Seven Sister of NE.
The achievement is significant not only for the Gangte community, but also for the whole State of Manipur." "It is a moment of joy and happiness for us all as the records have been achieved in the soil of Manipur" .
Gangtes down the generations have been popularly known to have 'swam the mist,' 'blunted axe on bare toes,' and 'whipped elephants to death by loin cloth.' The attempt to secure a place in the Limca Book of World Record was made as an endeavor to set another milestone and a gesture to acknowledge the 'blessings' and 'faithfulness' of God to the community thus far, said Elder (Prof) LS Gangte.
The Gospel, among the Gangtes, first has its foothold at Saichang village under Henglep subdivision in Churachandpur in 1912.There were only eleven converts at Sai-chang village then.
'A Thanks-Giving program will be organized in a big way on December 14, 2014', Rev K Mawia, General Secretary, Gangte Christian Gospel Centenary Committee, Manipur said gleefully.
The Mass Bible Reading, on Dec 16 was witnessed by Maniram Sharma, IAS, Addl Deputy Commissioner, Churachandpur and L Mangkhogin Haokip, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur.