Tribal Cultural Festival : CM calls for cultural preservation and unity
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 23 2013: The 2nd State Level Tribal Cultural Festival, which would go on for three days, has commenced from today at the Complex of Tribal Research Institute (TRI), Chingmeirong here.

The festival is being organized by TRI under the joint sponsorship of State Government and Ministry of Tribal affairs, Government of India.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, who returned from Delhi today, inaugurated the festival being organized under the theme of "Our Culture, Our Identity", as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh observed that we are living in a country where we are free to follow any religion we like.

However, following any religion one likes does not necessarily mean that we should do away with our own customs and traditions.

No matter which religion we follow, we should not forget the culture and tradition of our forefathers.

So, protection and preservation of our culture and tradition should be our main concern.

The Chief Minister further observed that Manipur is a multi-lingual and multi-religious State where more than 35 tribal communities are living together in peace and harmony with other communities since time immemorial.

All these tribal communities having distinct culture and customs as well as usages constitute and represent the proud Manipuris that we are to the outside world.

Even the smallest Tarao tribe of Manipur is known to the outside world because of their culture and tradition which is being protected and preserved.

The Chief Minister went on to say that it is because of the rich culture and tradition of the land and its people who are also leading in the field of sports that Manipur has been able to occupy an admirable place in the world.

Considering this, the Government of India has established the Tribal Research Institute (TRI) in the State to undertake research on various tribal customs and to put them into written forms for preservation of the age old tribal customs, traditions and practices which have been almost forgotten following advent of modern civilization and influence of Christianity, the Chief Minister said, while assuring to do the needful for strengthening manpower and infrastructural requirements of TRI.

Delivering the Presidential speech of the inaugural function, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that Manipur is a gift of nature.

"There are hills and plain area in perfect blend, beautiful rivers and streams to rejuvenate the land and its people as well pure and fresh environment to live in.

So, it should be duty of every individual in Manipur to preserve this system to the maximum", he said.

Gaikhangam further stated that Manipur is a State where different culture and tradition of various ethnic groups intermingle and form a beautiful cultural heritage.

It is very important to preserve and protect our respective culture and tradition; however, causing harm to others while trying to do protect our own culture and tradition should be avoided.

"Intermingling of all these different forms of cultures would lead to a much better form of cultural synthesis in the end.

But we should not let the originality of our respective culture be lost in the intermingling process", he maintained.

IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip was also present and spoke as Guest of Honour of the function which was attended by other tribal MLAs and ADC members.

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