Well.. much to my delight, I am writing to friends and well wishers about KUT 2007 celebration in East Ham, London on Sunday the 26th of August.

Hard work, commitment and persistence paid off as we gathered together again for the 9th KUT celebration. People from other parts of the world especially India celebrate KUT in November as a post-harvest festival. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo community in United Kingdom comes together to celebrate and give thanks to our Mighty provider for his Love, Blessings and Guidance. Around 50 or more Kutters participated this year, including some friends from Pakistan, Canada, England and Myanmar.

Lien Gangte hosted and Sonpi Vaiphei opened the celebration with a prayer. Friends from East London sang "Aw Thing Lhang Gam" as the opening song. Rev. Alian Vaiphei gave a short speech on the meaning of KUT and its importance to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community. The rest of the afternoon bustled with a variety of entertainment like special numbers by Nengpi Haokip, Daniel, Nenghoi, Lien Gangte, Tinnu Haokip, Justina, Sachin Verma, and Christina Baby.

The highlight came when everyone danced in a circle as Daniel, Nengpi and Nenghoi sang one of our all time favourite Lenkhom la, "Kagal Von Ka Toul Koi Ngampoi". Some of the girls graced us with some of the most beautiful dance sequences from Bollywood, which kept us on our feet dancing the evening away. The Bamboo dance, presented by folks from East London, was a great improvement over last year.

The festivities culminated with the traditional crowning of our own Miss KUT. Nenghoi Kaokip - Miss KUT 2006 - and Pu. Kamal Khosla presented the crown this year to Zemnu Gangte.

KUT is not complete without our traditional KUT Chant LiLiLiLiLi..HoHoHoHoHo which was led by Lien Gangte.

This year our very own chefs - Zemnu, Tinnu and Lien, with lots of help from friends, cooked a delicious meal. Lien Gangte said Grace as we gathered for the KUT Feast. We had Vohsa toh Sijou Chang Al me, Singju, Ironba, Vohsa Me, Me Tam, Ah Sa Me and Bong Sa Salad. It doesn't get more traditional than this. We love our food!

Raffles sold by Monica and Regina raised £88 which went towards the KUT fund. Prizes for the raffles were donated by some of our KUT members. After the meal, we gathered for the much-awaited "Lenkhom" led by Daniel Haokip and Nenghoi Haokip. Towards the end we had our AGM at the Vicarage to discuss some important agendas. Pu. Kamal Khosla was elected as the Chairman, Lien Gangte as the General Secretary and Nu. Tinnu as the Treasurer for the KUT 2008 committee. KUT 2008 will be on the 31st of August and the Venue will remain the same. Also make a note that KUT 2008 will be a Decade KUT celebration. The KUT committee will communicate any changes with its members.

Well, everything went really well with so plenty of fun and laughter. We did miss some faces but we hope to see them next year. Thanks to everybody who joined us, took part and made the occasion a success.

Lastly, I want to mention a few special contributors. We are fortunate to have Rev. David Haokip and his family for their tremendous support as the host family for KUT for the past three years. Nu. Tinnu for being a mentor to the team, for the flower arrangement and for being the chef, Neihlam for looking after the hall arrangement, Sonpi for the banner, Nenghoi and Daniel for leading us with the Lemkhom, Zamhao, Nengpi, and Haopu for working so hard and being available wherever you are needed, Christopher and Justina for the sound system, Zemnu for your cooking, Monica, Joshua and Regina for the raffles and giving us a hand with the hall decoration. Also thank you to Daniel for sponsoring Miss KUT 2007.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! I hope we will continue to remain in the same spirit as we look forward to our future and with God's blessings, we will do greater things. Above all we give Thanks to God Almighty for his abundant Love and Blessings. Nu. Tinnu said a closing prayer as we came to an end.

Pictures of the Celebration can be viewed at myspace or at flickr.

KUT CHIBAI !

Lien Gangte
General Secretary
KUT Committee - London.