Imphal, January 25 2009: "THOUGH MANIPUR is a land with its history that is over two millennia old, the bonds between the communities that almost threatened to be broken has been restored once again.

Let�s identify the inciters and mischief-mongers.".

This was stated by the president of Paomai Women�s Society, P Delilah at a grand function held yesterday at Rahbutao village, Siimai (Saranamei) in Senapati district.

The function was held to inaugurate a compound wall and waiting shed constructed recently at the ancient place of worship of the Paomai people located at Rahbutao village, by the Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM).

A cultural exchange programme was also held in connection with the function.

P Delilah, who was a guest of honour at the function, further said that the cultural programme was the beginning of restoring the strengthened bond of love between the people of the hills and the valley.

She said, "Let�s all make a concerted effort to remove the outside influences that have been interfering in the mutual relationship of the indigenous communities which are co-existing.

Let's try to remove the barriers of holiness and unholiness from amongst us".

�Today the children and old persons of the Paomai community have been able to see various captivating cultural programmes of Meetei community.

After seeing the gentle and mesmerising dance of Meeteis and the heart-stopping shows of Thang Ta, a new feeling of closeness has been born" she said. She wished the ICHAM all success in its activities.

President of PMM, Dr P T Hitson said the day�s function was a significant one.

The way the Meetei cultural team came all the way to such a far off place and showed their dance and other performances indicated that we are one.

It also shows that the Meeteis have no suspicion in their minds.

He further said, cultural exchange programmes would make the bonds of brotherhood stronger.

The men, women and children of the Paomai community enjoyed watching the cultural programmes of Meetei with great enthusiasm, he said and added such cultural programmes should be organised in a bigger way.

Chief of Saranamei village, Mwaidei said, Saranamei is the oldest village and the only origin of all Paomais.

The Paomai people migrated from Makhel and settled here.

The other Paomai villages have been branched out from Saranamei, he said.

The village Chief further said that if any incident of fire happens at the ancient place of worship, the whole community would faced trouble.

Therefore, in order to prevent such mishap from happening, the compound wall has been constructed.

The Paomai tribe feels very happy about it, he said.

The president of ICHAM, N Boi (Rajendro), who was the honoured chief guest of the whole function, said, it feels great to be able to pick up the thread of history newly.

A long-dreamt dream has been fulfilled.

He said, the MLAs and the ministers of Manipur were all blind and deaf.

But today, the ICHAM has been able to point fingers in the eyes of the government with the help of the media.

Wherever the ICHAM went to any part of the hills of Manipur, the condition was same, Boi (Rajendro) said.

He further said that culture makes it easier to find the foot prints of the fore-fathers of this land.

Today, a cultural programme is being held together, which gives us a great feeling of following the foot prints of our fore-fathers.

It would not bear fruits by leaving the developmental works to the contractors alone, Boi pointed out and added, we all need to insist the government on translating the projects into real works.

He also appealed to the Paomai community to find ways to prevent some people from putting the funds that are sanctioned for development of the hill areas into their pockets.

Advisors of ICHAM, former editor of Prajatantra and ISTV news, Kangujam Madhumangol, columnist and cultural activist Haobam Sanajaoba, editor of Imphal Free Press , Pradip Phanjoubam, editor-in- chief of Hueiyen Lanpao (English), Brozendra Ningomba, editor of Hueiyen Lanpao (Meetei Mayek edition), Sivadutta Luwang also spoke at the function.

Cultural troops from Imphal presented various folk dance and Thang Ta shows which kept the huge Paomai audience completely spellbound.

Students of BC Sunday School, Senapati district presented wonderful Paomai folk dances.

V Kio Alex welcomed the huge gathering and P Isaac gave vote of thanks.

Hundreds of Paomai men, women and children in their traditional attires accorded the chief guest, media persons and other invitees from Imphal a hearty welcome as they reached the village.

The villagers opened innumerable rounds of fire with their muzzle-loading rifles in the air to welcome the guests from Imphal.

ICHAM president N Boi inuagurated the newly constructed compound wall and waiting shed which were donated by the Nongthombam family and dedicated to Boi�s late son Bungcha (Thoi Thoi).

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