Sans Gaan-Ngai, Manipur incomplete : Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22 2016 : Without Gaan-Ngai festival of the Zeliangrong community, Manipur is incomplete, stated the Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at the 21st State Level Gaan-Ngai celebration held today at Changangkei Kabui village, Imphal West.

The festival was organized by the State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee under the aegis of Zeliangrong Union (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland) .

The largest post harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community "Chakan Gaan-Ngai" was held with all forms of customary rituals which include prayers, worship, making of Holy Fire (new fire) for purification and prosperity of the community, feasting, singing, dancing, games and sports like long-jump, shot-put etc.

Followers of the indigenous religion of the Zeliangrong took part in the festival which heralds the closing of the old year and arrival of a new year.

The dignitaries led the shot-put and long jump competitions held as parts of the celebration.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam graced the grand function as the chief guest while Minister of Social Welfare who is also the local representative of the area AK Mirabai was the functional president.

Vice-Chairman of Hill Areas Committee Z Kikhonbou Newmai, MLA of Saikot Assembly Constituency TN Haokip, and president of Zeliangrong Union, Amu Kamei were the guests of honour.

Leaders of many civil society organizations including AMUCO, UCM, KAMA, Changangkei Meira Paibi, village chiefs, CLK, HERICON etc.

also attended as special invitees.

Stating that the joyous Gaan-Ngai festival is one of the many festivals celebrated by the Zeliangrong community, the Dy CM stated that such festivals should mark the beginning of the road towards a developed State where there is mutual respect and love for one another.

Such festival indicates that the State was once prosperous with rich art and culture.

"We all must be proud of our rich past heritage and work to conserve our traditions.

The tag line of Manipur being a land of festivity will be incomplete without Gaan-Ngai", he continued.

The festival is a piece of cultural heritage and is a Manipuri culture.

Every other community must take part as one community, he said.

Let this festival restore peace and tranquillity and make our motherland a prosperous State with no bandh and economic blockades.

"We must provide an opportunity for uniform development throughout Manipur through peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding," he asserted.

Functional president AK Mirabai said that participation in Gaan-Ngai festival by people belonging to different communities shows that "we are united".

She applauded the organizing committee for holding the State level function in Changangkei Kabui village.

TN Haokip stated that Gaan-Ngai is one of many festivals of different ethnic communities of Manipur which upholds traditional values.

Such festivals should be celebrated far and wide all across the State in a much bigger way, he added.

Kikhonbou Newmai said that the Gaan-Ngai celebration provides an opportunity for different sections of the society to celebrate together as one.

Amu Kamei who is the chairman of the organizing committee applauded the Department of Culture and Tribal Affairs and Hills which is under the State Government of Manipur for providing financial assistance for the festival.

He added that the festival will help in enhancing the socio-cultural unity of various communities of the State and their multi-coloured cultures.

Prior to the grand celebration, Changangkei Community Hall and Meira Paibi Shang were inaugurated by the dignitaries.

Dance troupes from different areas presented folk music and dance as part of the function.

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