Unified celebration of Gaan-Ngai Fest stressed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 15 2022: Gaan-Ngai, the biggest festival of Kabui/Rongmei community was celebrated by the State Level Gaan Ngai Celebration Committee on the theme of 'Loss of religion is loss of culture' at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound here on Saturday.

The celebration of the festival commenced with the customary offering of liquor to Tingkao Ragwang, the deity and extraction of sacred fire.

Speaking on the occasion, External Affairs and Union Minister of State for Education RK Ranjan stressed that a community can be truly recognised when it is able to celebrate its festival successfully.

He then appreciated the Celebration Committee for organising the festival since 2003, while expressing hope that the festival is celebrated in a unified way.

Although the Committee has been organising the festival with approval of the state government, there are times when other organisations also want to organise the festival.

However, if the Kabui/Rongmei community truly takes the festival to their heart, then they should cooperate with the State Level Committee in celebrating the festival in a grandeur manner, thereby making the supreme god Tingkao Ragwang happy, he said.

Dr Ranjan further suggested holding a competition of the cultural performances presented by troupes from districts so as to foster a more beautiful picture of the festival that would encourage others to emulate the culture.

This would help the Committee in uniting the differences within the Kabui/Rongmei community as well, he added.

Presided over by BJP Manipur Pradesh Schedule Tribe Morcha president Lanjaigai Kamei, the celebration was attended by Manipur University of Culture VC Paonam Gunindro as guest of honour.

As part of the festival, cultural performances by troupes from different districts were presented.

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