Unity call sounded on Mera Hou Chongba ; Dy CM backs search for ancestry
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 27 2015: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has categorically stated that one need not be ashamed of searching one's ancestry or place of origin.

Gaikhangam was speaking at the Mera Hou Chongba festival celebrated today at Kangla.

It is an undeniable fact that the hill people and plain people have been living as one since time immemorial.

Mera Hou Chongba celebrated since the ancient period is a symbol of the hill-valley unity but it is rather disheartening that this bond of unity seems to be breaking apart.

Psychological harmony is as important as physical contact.

When all the communities have a sense of unity, there would be peace, stability and development in the society.

The basic essence and message of Mera Hou Chongba is unity.

Dignitaries at the Mera Hou Chongba festival

The hill people and the valley share a fast bond of fraternity and they can never be separated, asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.

Viewing Manipur as comprising of two separate entities viz; the hills and the valley is a misplaced notion.

People should stand firm and united against the conspiracy of a handful of people to sow seeds of discord and division among different communities.

Those elements who have been trying to bifurcate Manipur must be identified and it should be made clear that any challenge to the integrity of Manipur would not be tolerated.

"We should never neglect the motherland which is our common home.

Celebrating Mera Hou Chongba is not enough.

If we must realize the very objective of the festival, we should cultivate a sense of unity", Gaikhangam asserted.

Mera Hou Chongba festival celebrated at Kangla was organised by the Kangla Religious Committee.

By exchanging gifts and embracing each other, the festival demonstrated that the hill people and plain people share an inseparable bond of fraternity.

Apart from Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, Chief Secretary O Nabakishore and Kangla Religious Committee chairman S Nilbir were seated on the dais.

Preshow Shimray remarked that the Mera Hou Chongba festival never fails to remind the bond fraternity shared between hill people and plain people.

O Nabakishore declared that the State Government organise the Mera Hou Chongba festival at a much bigger scale from next year.

The festival also featured lively performances of Maibi Jagoi, Maram traditional dance, Khamba-Thoibi dance, Tangkhul traditional dance, Thang-Ta, Mukna and other indigenous games.

Mera Hou Chongba festival was also celebrated at Haying Khongbal inside 1st MR complex under the aegis of Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board.

There too, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam was the chief guest and exchange of gifts between hill people and plain people was the main feature.

He remarked that Mera Hou Chongba festival is not something constructed.

The festival would last as long as the humanity lives.

Although the festival was neglected for sometime, it has been revived once again in the form of a vibrant movement.

Among others, former Minister and Sanamahi Temple Board president L Jayantakumar and Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing were present at the festival.

ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak and MMRC, Khangabok also celebrated Mera Hou Chongba festival under the theme "Ipa Ipugi Eegi Khongul Leeba Tha" at MMRC Unity Park, Khangabok, reports our correspondent.

The programme was graced by Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, ACOAM-Lup, Kangleipak president Ksh Somorendro Singh, MLA K Meghachandra and social worker O Surjakanta as presidium members.

The programme was marked by lighting of lamp atop bamboo poles.

MLA AK Mirabai said that Mera Hou Chongba is celebrated by all the people of the State irrespective of caste, religion and community.

It is a day to celebrate and foster the spirit of oneness and belongingness.

Speaking at the programme, ACOAM-Lup secretary general Telheiba Mangang said "Mera Hou Chongba is a festival which celebrates the brotherhood and unity among various communities of the State.

This age-old relationship should be guarded against outside forces that may pose as a threat to the unity and integrity of the State" .