Governor leads in Gaan-Ngai greetings
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 03 2023:
Governor La Ganesan, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and others have greeted people on the auspicious occasion of Gaan-Ngai.
"I convey my greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur, particularly our Zeliangrong brethren on the joyous and auspicious occasion of Gaan Ngai, 2023," wished the Governor.
Zeliangrong community celebrates Gaan-Ngai, which is the festival of winter season for paying obeisance and homage to those departed souls who left this temporal world in the year before.
The festival also symbolises bidding adieu to the old year gone by and heralding a New Year, full of hope and aspiration.
The festival along with its religious fervor has become a major cultural event of not only the Zeliangrong community but of other communities as well.
Though essentially an occasion of worship and thanksgiving to the Almighty, it is also an occasion of making joy and merriment, said La Ganesan in his message to the people.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh also conveyed his heartfelt greetings to the people of Manipur, especially Zeliangrong brethren on Gaan-Ngai.
Gaan-Ngai, the biggest cultural and religious post harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community, marks the end of the year when the farmers have stored their foodgrain in the granaries.
The festival also marks the heralding of the New Year and new fire is produced by rubbing dry wood and split bamboo pieces and distributed to every household.
During the festival, the community shows their gratitude, with offerings to the Almighty for the good harvest and prayer for a better and prosperous life in the coming year.
"May the festival shower goodwill and happiness and also spread message of unity, peace and brotherhood among all communities of the State," wished the Chief Minister.
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata Singh, MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand, Textiles Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Lamlai AC MLA Kh Ibomcha among others also wished the people on Gaan-Ngai and prayed for united and prosperous Manipur.
Several civil bodies including the Zeliangrong Union AMN, United Committee Manipur (UCM), All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO), International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) and others also greeted the people on Gaan-Ngai.
Greeting Zeliangrong people, ZU (AMN) said Gaan-Ngai is celebrated by all non-Christian villages of Zeliangrong tribes ie Zeme, Liangmei, Rongmei, Kabui, Inpui etc living in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland.
Zeliangrong Union (AMN) said, the most important features of Gaan-Ngai are the observance of silence and fasting by the unmarried youth from early dawn to the evening as a rite of self purification, the making of "holy fire" for purification and prosperity for the entire community and congregational prayer of "Hoi ".
The United Committee Manipur too wished the Kabui and other tribes on Gaan-Ngai and said the committee is also taking part in the celebration and sharing the joy of the occasion.
It also wished for the Gaan-Ngai to foster unity among all communities in the State and strengthen their relationships.