The Ani Thokpi culture of the people : Disturbing reality
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: November 16 2020 -

There is something profoundly beautiful about Ningol Chakkouba, but the penchant of the Meitei people to unfailingly come out in two opposing groups (Ani Thokpagi Heinabi) threatens to tarnish the beauty of the day.

Just like last year, this year too, two contesting claims have come to the fore, with one claiming that Ningol Chakkouba falls on November 16 and another one stating that November 17 is the correct date to hold the day.

It is not the case of The Sangai Express to say which one is right, but the tendency of the Meitei folks to always have two opposing camps on important issues is highly disturbing.

Following the lunar calendar could be the reason for two contrasting stands to come out and if the differences are not worked out smoothly, such a debacle will continue in the coming years.

Forget about the beauty of the day but the attention of quite a large number of people must be focused on which date one should hold Ningol Chakkouba.

A calendar event reduced to somewhat of a joke and this calls a serious consideration on whether one should follow the lunar calendar.

Imagine two dates given for Christmas or two dates for India's Republic Day or Independence Day.

The two dates have also confused the media houses in Imphal no end.

Media professionals too have sisters and mothers to care for and this is the reason why all the media houses in Imphal take a day off on Ningol Chakkouba.

However with two dates named as Ningol Chakkouba, it becomes a sort of a headache for the media professionals to decide on which date media houses should close shop for a day.

It is this mentality that is deeply disturbing.

If no unanimous date can be set aside as a day for brothers to invite their sisters for lunch, then can one expect a united approach and stand when serious issues face the people and the State?

It is this mentality that needs to be checked.

No wonder then that the Ani Thokpi culture of the Meiteis have drawn ridicule from amongst the people themselves and already some hard hitting statuses have been shared on popular social network sites such as Facebook.

The lighter side apart, some serious thoughts ought to be given on this mindset where there are always two opposing stands on any given issue.

Does not augur well for the State and the people in any way.

Differences of opinion is no doubt healthy in a democracy for this can promote debates and sharing of thoughts and vision, but failing to come to an understanding on any issue such as the date of Ningol Chakkouba cannot be healthy for the society in any way.

And if differences cannot be worked out, then perhaps following the lunar calendar may be reviewed.

An important day which looks at the love and ties between siblings should not be reduced to the status of disagreements and arguments.

Happy Ningol Chakkouba to all the readers and patrons of The Sangai Express.