Ningol Chakkouba celebrated widely
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 28 2022: Indigenous Minority Socio Cultural Organisation, Manipur (IMSCOM) president, Momsokam Bapui has asserted that women play a big role in fostering the bonds of love and affection between the hill and valley brethren.

He was speaking at the Ching-Tam Ningol Chakkouba celebration held yesterday at Khunthokhanbi Shanglen located in Thangmeiband.

The celebration was jointly organised by the Indigenous Minority Socio Cultural Organisation, Manipur (IMSCOM), Indigenous Minority Organisation Manipur (IMOM), United Peoples' Front (UPF) Manipur, Haomee Research Guild Manipur (HRGM), National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO), Manipur Peace and Integrity (MAPI) Council and saw women from different communities coming together to share a meal and being presented with simple gifts.

Ningol Chakkouba celebrated widely

Speaking on the occasion, Momsokam Bapui stated that Ningol Chakkouba is not a festival based on religion.

It is a wholesome and inclusive celebration wherein people from different religious backgrounds are welcome to partake in the festivities.

Divisive forces often bring about tension among the various communities in the State and in this regard, women can play a big role in bringing these communities together, he opined.

He also called for an end to the trend of extravagant gift-giving on the occasion of Ningol Chakkouba.

Let's instead put emphasis on sharing a meal with your loved ones and lifting the spirit of the festival for a long time to come, he said.

Addressing the gathering, N Rupachandra, president, United People's Front shared that Ching-Tam Ningol Chakkouba was celebrated for the first time at 'Sana Konung' and other places jointly organised by UPF and IMSOM.

Since then, the six aforementioned organisations have conducted this celebration for the 3rd time.

He expressed joy upon seeing the women from hill and valley areas celebrating the festival of Ningol Chakkouba together and remarked that the bonds of love between the hill and valley brethren has become stronger.

He also shared that many local organisations had extended their help in making the Ching Tam Ningol Chakkouba celebration a success.

Further, he shared that a cultural exchange program will be held in Ukhrul district on November 16 and 17 organised by Tangkhul Naga Hunaochung and urged valley based organisations and people to attend the same.

Dignitaries present at the event include Robin Shinglai, chairman, HRGM; ; Rengenson Thanga, president, IMOM; Birendra Chingkham, vice-president, NIPCO and KC Romeo, president MAPI Council as the presidium members.

The Manipuri diaspora of also celebrated Ningol Chakkouba festival in Canada.

The celebration was held at the residence of Dr Amuchou who is a Paediatrician located at Calgary.

Around 50 Manipuri women attended the celebration adorning Manipuri traditional attire.

Ningthoujam Sagei Ningol Chak-Kouba Piba Shinglup, Pangaltabi, Korsantabi, Mangjing and Wapokpi jointly celebrated Ningol Chakkouba festival at Pangantabi Makha Leikai Community Hall in Sugnu Assembly Constituency.

As part of the event, Ningthoujam Nirmala Devi, who secured 125 rank in NEET 2022 was felicitated.

Nirmala Devi is the daughter of Ningthoujam Thoiba and Ningthoujam Ongbi Bimoshakhi Devi from Pangantabi Makhai Leikai.

Pangaltabi Gram Panchayat Pardhan, Ningthoujam Ongbi Indibala Devi also took part in the event.

Moreover, Kangvai Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (South) also celebrated Ningol Chakkouba festival with girl students of Assam Rifles Centre of Educational Excellence, Kangvai, Churachandpur District on October 27 .

A release issued by PRO of IGAR(S) informed that the event was an initiative to acknowledge the efforts of local youths in fostering peace and unity between all communities in the State along with the security forces.

During the event, local girl students were invited to the Assam Rifles Centre of Educational Excellence, Kangvai and presented sweets and refreshments.

In return, the students blessed their brothers of Kangvai Battalion for their prosperous life.

A total of 30 girls students of Assam Rifles Centre of Educational Excellence, Kangvai attended the function and honoured the invitation extended by the battalion.