'Mera Hou Chongba' sign of hill-valley bonds: Awangbow
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 17 2024: Celebrating the age-old fraternal bond and unity among the indigenous communities of Manipur, the State Level 'Mera Hou-Chongba' festival was celebrated by the State Level Organising Committee on Mera-Houchongba at Sana Konung (royal palace) and Kangla Uttra here on Thursday.

Mera Hou Chongba is a festival which exemplifies oneness and brotherhood among people of different ethnic communities of Manipur.

It falls on the 15th lunar day of the month of Mera of the Meetei calendar.

Chiefs and invitees from several villages and different cultural troupes took part in celebration.

As the chief guest, Water Resources, Relief & Disaster Management minister Awangbow Newmai expressed that the festival showcases and strengthen bond among the ethnic groups in Manipur.

He also called the festival a platform for the ethnic groups in the state to showcase their cultures and help in cementing the bond of affinity.

The minister, however, expressed concern on the changing mind-set of the present generation, and advised the youth to promote respective cultural and traditional values rather than getting infatuated with modernisation.

Awangbow also stressed the need for concerted efforts to usher in peace and stability in the state in view of the prevailing unrest situation.

Everyone should contribute towards resolving the conflict, he said, and urged all to forgive and forget each other's mistakes, and work together to restore peace in the state.

Presiding over the function, Rajya Sabha MP and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba described that this year's festival as one of the best in the history of its celebration.

He then appealed to all the people particularly the indigenes to strengthen the bond of unity and also to bring peace and prosperity in the state.

Sanajaoba also extended his gratitude to all the community leaders and representatives, organisers, cultural troupes, well-wishers, religious representatives and others who took key role in making the observance a success.

He remarked that the festival is for the indigenes of Manipur and those not native to the state were not invited to attend the festival.

In all, 22 indigenous tribes/communities participated in the celebration which began with the gathering of the tribes' representatives at Chonga Bon of Sana Konung from around 8am Thursday.

Then the gathering marched to Kangla, wherein the cultural exchange programmes started with the rituals of 'Men Tongba' and 'Yenkhong Tamba' at Kangla Uttra, followed by Thang-Ta salutation and invocation by the priests, and various cultural performances.

Leishemba Sanajaoba presented the Khongleihanba AS Bungnaoyo Zimik Mera Hou Chongba Award-2024" to Thangal Surung chief K Gongrisim Thangal.

A souvenir was also released in connection with the celebration.

Exchanges of gifts and cultural programmes of the participants were the other highlights of the celebration, also attended by Transport minister Khasim Vashum, PHED minister L Susindro (Yaima), Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, MLAs and top government officials.

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