Meghalaya CM graces Kut celebration at Chandel
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, November 01 2018:
The Chandel District Kut-2018 was celebrated today at Sugnu Lamhang village on the theme 'Nurturing the Legacy of our Forefathers' under the aegis of the Chandel District Kut Committee.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was the chief guest of the celebration.
He opined that patriotism is the strength of the North-East people and appealed that festivals such as Kut should be promoted to a bigger platform as it preserves the customs and traditions of each tribe.
Minister of YAS and Water Resources, Letpao Haokip was the chief host in the noon session of the event.
Among the guests of honour were Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar, Art & Culture Minister L Jayantakumar and many ADC members.
Top civil and police officials and thousands of people attended the event.
After the formal opening prayer, chief host of the Chandel District Kut Committee Letpao Haokip presented Conrad Sangma the traditional gong 'Dak' and a traditional instrument and demonstrated how to use them.
Speaking at the gathering, Conrad Sangma said "Festivals like Kut remain important in this fast-moving modern world as it reminds us of who we are and what is our root and origin.
The Garo tribe of Meghalaya to which I belong has a similar post-harvest festival.
Even though all of us belong to the same species of human beings ultimately, festivals like this define our uniqueness and our characteristics of being a Kuki or Garo or Khasi and so on".
Sangma also expressed happiness that so many youth are actively participating in the joyous Kut festival.
He added that 'the spirit of patriotism runs high in the blood of the people of the North-East region and this is our strength'.
He suggested the organisers and the people of Kuki-Chin-Mizo community to promote this festival to National and international platforms in the coming years by inviting international delegates and foreign Ambassadors.
The Meghalaya Chief Minister also suggested and invited attention of the Art and Culture Minister that 'heritage villages' can be developed in villages where the tribes are residing so that it attracts tourists from all over the world.
"Such heritage villages can be a good medium to express the uniqueness of our way of life", he said.
He even cited the example of Maori tribe of New Zealand, whose culture and lifestyle have captured the imagination of the entire world.
He appealed the community people and the departments concerned to start documenting the customs and traditions of each tribe so that their identity do not get lost in this fast-moving and globalising modern world.
Conrad Sangma further thanked the organisers, specially Letpao Haokip for inviting him to such a grand and unique festival and letting him soak in the fervour of the Kut spirit.
Chief host Letpao Haokip, in his brief speech, said that this festival will bring the much-needed peace and unity and prosperity in Manipur.
He also thanked Conrad Sangma for coming all the way from Meghalaya to attend the Kut festival.
Many cultural performances and songs entertained the main guests and the audience.
Another main highlight of this celebration was the Miss Kut Chandel 2018, which was held later in the evening.
Yesterday too, a function comprising of cultural performances and traditional sports competitions were held in the same venue as part of the celebration.