Gifts of Ningol Chakkouba
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 08 2011 -

Chingthou Keicha from the desk

Here comes Ningol Chakkouba, the most awaited festival of Manipur particularly for the Meeteis - a festival of everlasting bond of love between brothers and sisters.

All Meetei women and men wait eagerly for this festival with hope and pleasant memories. Every brother would like to present a valuable gift for their sisters on this occasion.

On the other hand every sister anxiously wait for this day to go to her maternal home and have a happy and joyous reunion with her mother, father, brothers, sisters and other members of her maternal home.

No doubt, the Ningol Chakkouba a festival of peace and love, not only the Meeteis but also people of all communities residing in the soil of Manipur.

Celebrating this festival has added to the meaning of the everlasting bond between brothers and sisters.

There were many instances when the state was held in logjam between many agitating bodies and the government which often resulted in indefinite general strikes or economic blockades.

But in all such cases, the agitating bodies respected the festival and took a step back to allow the people of the state to freely enjoy the festival and helped in bringing peace and tranquillity in the troubled torn state.

However this time, the SHDDC and the UNC which are imposing indefinite economic blockade and counter economic blockade do not seem to be in a mood to take back a step for the festival.

Prices of essential commodities have soared sky high even though the government had fixed prices some days back.

If both the agitating bodies remained firm on their stand to continue their agitation no matter what the condition is, then it will surely be a difficult situation for the Meetei population to celebrate this festival with stocks of almost every possible products imported from other parts of the country and neighbouring countries depleting fast.

As mentioned earlier, it is the most cherished dream of a brother to present the most valuable gift to his sisters, it seems there is nothing left for the brothers to buy gifts for their sisters with almost all their savings of months exhausted during the 67 days long economic blockade with a kg of potatoes which used to cost something around Rs 16 or so sold at Rs 40 and more.

Then in such situation, if they are reluctant to step back, the economic blockades of SHDDC and UNC, which changed the face of economy of the state, the most common and abundantly available gift for a sister will surely be the economic blockades.

Well there is one more gift for the Ningols from the side of the state government, if the government followed the same policy like past years when it comes to the question of paying salaries to its employees. With the Ningol Chakkouba approaching fast, employees of almost all departments are pressing the government to release salaries for the festival.

Even more serious is the problem faced by the contract employees whom the government is taking so lightly. It is a fact that most of the official works of the state government are being carried out by the contract employees.

Unfortunately, most of them get their salaries only once or twice in a year, that too after knocking every door of all concerned departments' officers. Last year also, the government failed to sanction their salaries timely before the Ningol Chakkouba. What will happen this year only time will tell.

If the government fails to sanction the salaries of its employees in time before the Ningol Chakkouba, then it surely will be a memorable gift for the Ningols from the state government on the occasion of Ningol Chakkouba.

Well it is up to them - the state government, SHDDC and UNC, whether they are giving such memorable gifts to the Ningols of the state on the occasion of this festival of everlasting bond of peace and love between brothers and sisters.