CM calls for preserving traditions, customs
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, January 12 2025: Chief Minister N Biren Singh attended the State Level Gaan-Ngai celebration organised by the State Level Gaan-Ngai 2025 Celebration Committee at Ramji Kabui Khul (village) , Imphal West district on Sunday.

The celebration began with the Ramji Khul chief leading the participants in performing festival-related rituals and extracting the sacred fire.

Speaking as the chief guest of the celebration, CM N Biren Singh urged people of the state to take responsibility and ownership in preserving the age-old traditions and customs irrespective of the religion followed by any community.

The relationship and coexistence among all indigenous communities have existed since time immemorial.

Therefore, collective efforts are needed to inculcate the sense of belongingness and oneness in the state.

We should safeguard our rich cultural heritage and traditions, and honour the legacy of our ancestors, he stressed.

Noting the emergence of relatively new names within the Kabui community, the chief minister remarked that while this may be politically or socially motivated, the government sees the Zeliangrong community as one entity and expressed hope that the community would take a huge role in ensuring the indigenous communities become the master of the land.

He also noted that in-spite of the Khamba-Thoibi story being an epic, the part about Kabui Salang Maibai is often ignored and not discussed as much.

While encouraging the people to help rectify any mistakes made by the government, he continued that the seat of power does not belong to anyone permanently and as such, one should avoid doing politics on the same.

Otherwise, if all of the works done by the government is wrong, they should come forward and point out the same, he said, adding that he is ready to leave the government, if needed.

Reflecting on the catastrophic wildfires affecting Los Angeles in the USA, the CM maintained that as mankind has not done justice with the nature, there are frequent occurrence of natural calamities across the world and in the state as well.

Therefore, it's high time to take initiatives to preserve and protect, he said, while highlighting the state government's efforts in this regard.

He recalled that the "Green Imphal, Green Manipur" initiative was taken up during 2004-05 while he was the Forest and Environment minister.

He urged the people of the state to support and co-operation to such initiatives.

It is our collective responsibility to work for developed Manipur, he added.

He suggested that the state level Gaan-Ngai Festival be organised at the Sangai Ethnic Park, Moirang Khunou in grand manner.

Urging for concerted efforts to celebrate next year's Gaan-Ngai festival at Sangai Ethnic Park, the CM informed that the government has requested for an additional fund of around Rs 100 crore for upgrade of the Sangai Ethnic Park, including for installation of 3334 permanent stalls.

Disclosing that the project fund will be sanctioned soon, Biren also-stated that a Unity Mall will established at Keikol, Imphal East with a budget of around Rs 150 crore.

Regarding development projects taken up in the hill districts under the BJP-led government, he pointed out that the Imphal-Tamenglong has made significant improvement while efforts are on to execute the Tamei-Tamenglong road and Tamei to Kangpokpi road.

While confiding that construction of Imphal-Kangchup road, including three major bridges, would be completed soon, he informed that once completed the said road will enable travellers to reach Guwahati in only eight hours.

The CM continued that some information about the works done by the SoO Monitorning Committee cannot be divulged to the public.

However, there are some who want to provoke the government and release confidential information.

Thus, there is a need to be wary of such disruptive elements, he said, adding that while differences may crop up from time to time due to public pressure or political scenario, this cannot negate the fact that all of our origins are the same.

Delivering his presidential speech, Water Resources minister Awangbow New-mai praised N Biren Singh for personally taking part in the celebration of the State Level Gaan-Ngai.

He then extended his best wishes to the people of Manipur that the year 2025 be filled with goodness for all.

The celebration began by offering Holy wine to the Almighty God, followed by religious prayers, traditional songs, and cultural dance, and lastly, Gaan-Ngai traditional attire show by Zeliangrong Film Forum, Manipur.

The function was also attended by Forest minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Patsoi MLA Sapam Kunjakeswor Singh, Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar Singh, and Kakching MLA M Rameshwar Singh as guests of honour.

Hill Areas Committee chairman and Nungba MLA Dinganglung Gangmei, Tamenglong MLA Janghemlung Panmei and Ramji Kabui Khul co-hosted the celebration.

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