Co-existence call echoes at Kut celebration
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 01 2022:
This year's State level Kut celebration was held today at Peace Ground, Tuibong, Churachandpur with Chief Minister N Biren Singh as chief guest.
The celebration began with the Chief Minister pounding the traditional gong.
The programme was also attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Meitei, Social Welfare Minister H Dingo Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Director General of Police, officials of district administration, Churachandpur and leaders of civil society organisations, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, N Biren greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Kut.
He continued that considering the difficulties faced by people from districts like Chandel, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur in attending the State level Kut celebration organised at Imphal, the Government decided to take the celebration to other districts too.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was held in Kangpokpi, he said.
The Chief Minister lauded the different cultural troupes which presented dance and music items in their beautiful traditional costumes.
This is the beauty of India, the beauty of Manipur, the Chief Minister said, emphasizing on the beauty of India's 'Unity in Diversity'.
Mentioning that Manipur comprises more than 30 smaller communities, the Chief Minister urged the people of Churachandpur to get ready for the Sangai Festival which will be celebrated this month.
This year, various events will be held as parts of Sangai Festival at places like Khoupum and Behiang in Churachandpur where the Chivu Chandrakirti Memorial Park was inaugurated, the Chief Minister stated.
Sangai Festival will not be confined to only Imphal, he asserted, further appealing to all to join in celebrating the festival.
Stating that festivals like Kut bring the people together, the Chief Minister lauded all the participants from different communities and the organizers of the festival.
He further appealed to all to continue living together in peace, with mutual respect in brotherly manner and bring equal and inclusive development.
Highlighting the recent initiative to develop Henglep road with a budget of about Rs 130 crore, the Chief Minister reiterated that the present Government will take development to all corners of the State.
He also spoke on the plan of developing Behiang as a commercial hub like Moreh.
Biren said that the people can bring any issue of discontentment before the Government through their representatives or to him directly.
He further announced to provide the required fund of Rs 1.5 crore for completion of the stadium at Peace Ground, Churachandpur adding that sports is necessary for a healthy society.
The Chief Minister concluded his speech with a call for peaceful co-existence as citizens of Manipur and India.
Delivering her presidential speech, Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen stated that Kut is the biggest and the most popular festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes.
She added that the festival is a post-harvest thanksgiving festival to the Almighty God.
She continued that over the years Kut celebration has become even more important, relevant, and meaningful as it promotes the essence of brotherhood among different communities.
She expressed hope that the Kut festival will be a harbinger of good tidings for all.
Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, while addressing the gathering, stated, "Kut is a beautiful festival where we thank the Almighty for a good harvest".
Appreciating the theme of this year's Kut celebration "Unity through Culture", Leishemba Sanajaoba said that Manipur is a State where people belonging to different communities with their own ways of life, culture, religion, tradition live together.
He further appealed to all to continue living together in peace and with unity and to bring development in Manipur.
Cultural dance and music items presented by cultural troupes of different tribes were also staged during the programme.
Miss Kut Contest 2022 was also the main highlight of the programme.
Later, N Biren Singh visited the INA Complex at Moirang and the site where the Sangai Ethnic Park is being constructed at Moirang Khunou and took stock of the ongoing construction work.
He further visited the Loktak Lake and inspected the area.
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