Ningol Chakkouba widely celebrated, SAKAL abstains
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 26 2014: 'Ningol Chakouba', the biggest festival of the Manipuris was celebrated in a grand manner throughout Manipur, as well as outside the state on Saturday.

Various civil society organizations (CSOs) hosted grand feast for the married women of various communities to commemorate the festival Ningol Chakkouba, which is solely meant for the married women.

All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organization (AMESCO), All Manipur Art & Culture Students' Union (AMACSU), Manipur Naat Kanba Lup and Manipur State Shumang Lila Council jointly organized this year's Ningol Chakkouba as '21st Remembrance Day of Sisters' at Iboyaima Shumang Lila Shanglen, Palace Compound here on Saturday.

The celebration was attended by President of AMESCO S Nando, President of Manipur Naat Kanba Lup Ph Gunachandra Sharma, Secretary of Manipur State Shumang Lila Council Sougrakpam Hemanta, H Shyamkumar of AMACSU, Director of Prosecution Ngangom Tejkumar, Vice-President of Kang Federation of Bangladesh Keisham Biren, Assistant Professor of DM College of Arts Dr Sahid Ahmed, President of AMUCO Dr Y Mani Khuman, Vice-President of KAMA A Kamson, President of Kuki Mothers' Association Rose Mangsi Haokip, Advisor of AMUCO KT Rahman, President of Nagaram Meira Paibee Lup PA Malachon and President of Kabui Dharma Sabha Tomba Kabui as Presidium Members.

Ningol Chakkouba widely celebrated

Delivering the keynote address, General Secretary of AMESCO Maibam Suren said that AMESCO has been celebrating the Ningol Chakkouba festival since 1993 with the objective of uniting different communities of the State.

Married women belonging to different communities from all over the State have been taking part in the Ningol Chakkouba celebration.

Simple gifts were also presented to the women after a grand feast, which was also attended by some noted personalities from two foreign countries.

The fruits, vegetables and other eatables brought by the women were also donated to Children Home, Dewlahland and Aged Home, Mongsangei.

National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) in collaboration with Divine Nongpok Ningthou Youth Club, Heirok Part-II and Apunba Nupi Angang Semgat Lup, Heirok also celebrated the Ningol Chakkouba Heirok Devi Mandip Leikai in Thoubal district yesterday.

Organized under the banner of 'Chingmi-Tammi Ningol Chakkouba', the celebration was attended by President of NIPCO Sunil Karam, President of UPF BM Yaima Shah, President of Divine Nongpok Ningthou Youth Club Elangbam Rajmohon, Executive Member of IMOM Athoi Boungte Aimol, Chief of Kakching Mantak Village Chaothoi Kom, Koyangam Kuki, President of AMKIL Ph Sakhi Leima, President of Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Angang Semgat Lup Kh Gunamani Leima and President of All Manipur United Manipuri Muslim Organization A Sitara Begum as Presidium Members.

One of the Presidium Members observed that the celebration Ningol Chakkouba should not only strengthen the brother-sister relationship, but also help in promoting peace and communal harmony in the State.

Ningol Chakkouba was also celebrated by different organizations in Jiribam sub-division of Imphal East yesterday.

All Jiribam United Club Association (AJUCA) organised the grand feast for married women at Jiri- College, Kadamtala, Jiribam.

The festival was also celebrated by Jiri Development Organisation (JDO) with much charm and gaiety at Gularthol Bazar, Jiribam.

The leaders and women of different communities residing at Jiribam attended the grand feast of the Ningol Chakkouba festival.

Commemorating the Ningol Chakouba festival which is one of the biggest festivals of Meitei community, Relief Centre for the Welfare of Differently Abled Person, Manipur organized the 2nd Ningol Khudol' for disability women at the premises of the centre located at Maklang Bazar yesterday.

Ch Leibaklotpi Devi, Chairperson of Manipur State Social Welfare Board; Jeena Potsangbam, Chairperson of NCUI Project Coordination Committee; Thokhom Sumanta, Member of Patsoi Zilla Parishad; Ch Opendro Singh, former president of Relief Centre for the Welfare of Differently Abled Person, Manipur; A Bishorjit Singh, Pradhan of Sapam Leikai Gram Panchayat; Oinam Tondon Devi, Pradhan of Maklang Gram Panchayat and Haobijam Nodiya Singh, social worker graced the occasion as presidium members.

Speaking on the occasion, Ch Opendro stated that disabled persons like any other normal person have their own important role to play in developing the society and exhorted them to exhibit their own made items in the ensuing mela to be held in connection with the World Disabled Day.

Expressing unhappiness over lack of support from part of all the 60 MLAs to disabled persons, he called upon them not to feel disheartened but strive hard to contribute their parts in developing the society.

Association of Manipuri Diaspora (AMAND) Pune also organized a grand Ningol Chakouba feast participated by Manipuri women folk residing in Pune.

Gifts were presented to the participants during the programme.

According to traditions, brothers and fathers used to invite their sisters and daughters for a feast at the parental home on the 2nd day of Meitei month Hiyangei.

The sister and daughters are usually presented with gifts, while they in turn bestow blessings to their brothers and parents.