Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 26:
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that the festival of Mera Houchongba is the testimony to the inalienable bonding between the hill and the valley people of Manipur.
He was speaking as chief guest of the Mera Houchongba celebration organised by Kangla Religious Committee which is a Sub-Committee of Kangla Fort Board at Kangla today.
The Chief Minister said that all the different groups living in Manipur have settled together for the last 2000 years and Mera Houchong is the testimony of brotherhood among these people.
The celebration of Mera Houchong and its message is becoming all the more relevant today when some outside forces are tying to create tension and set one group of people against another.
Popularisation and promotion of the Mera Houchongba festival and its associated cultural elements would definitely help in restoration of relationship among the people, the Chief Minister assured.
Celebration of Mera Houchongba would also help in promotion of the traditional sports and games, he added.
Traditional sports like Mukna, Mukna Kangjei, etc were demonstrated at the occasion during which gifts were also exchanged among the leaders and representatives of various communities.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr S Budhichandra Singh presided over the function.
On the other hand, in connection with the celebration of Mera Houchongba festival, a festive fair which would continue till November 1 has begun from today at Hafta Kangjeibung.
The fair being organised by the Directorate of Commerce, Government of Manipur in association with Co-operative Societies.
The inaugural function of the festival being sponsored by the Development Commissioner for Handicraft, Government of India was attended by Minister of Commerce & Industries & Co-operation Y Erabot as chief guest and Principal Secretary of Commerce & Industries PC Lamkunga as president.