Serve, strive for success in life: MLA tells Mao students
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, December 27 2024: The Cultural Regale 2024, organised by the Mao Students' Union (MSU), was formally inaugurated by Mao Assembly Constituency MLA L Dikho on Friday at Asufii Christian Institute, Punanamei, Mao.

Delivering his address as the chief guest, MLA Dikho encouraged students to reflect on how they can contribute meaningfully to their families, neighbours, and communities while celebrating cultural traditions.

He emphasised that cultural celebrations should go beyond showcasing traditional attire and dances, urging students to prioritise being a source of blessing to others.

Highlighting the importance of purposeful living, MLA Dikho noted that life holds little value if one does not strive to positively impact others.

Serve, strive for success in life: MLA tells Mao students

He acknowledged that although the Mao community is small in population and territory, it is uniquely blessed, having embraced Christianity earlier than other tribes in the Senapati district.

The MLA encouraged the gathering to embody virtues that inspire admiration, urging Mao students to remain committed, serve as blessings to others, and strive for success in life.

Addressing the broader challenges facing Manipur, including conflicts, misunderstandings, and widespread issues, MLA Dikho underscored the need for leaders with Christ-like qualities to transform society.

He called on the student community to make constructive contributions wherever they are, reiterating the importance of being a channel of blessings to others.

Earlier, Matekho Pekosii, president MSU, in his welcome address, emphasised the significance of the 2024 Cultural Regale, themed "Honouring our Ancestors", as a reflection of identity and heritage.

Marking the Union's 91st anniversary, he highlighted its role in preserving Cultural identity, fostering unity, and promoting education.

The Mao Nagas' rich oral traditions, communal values, and symbolic practices, like Khetsii Khe and horn-blowing, connect them deeply to their ancestors and land.

The event blends tradition with modernity, featuring cultural performances and youth-driven initiatives, serving as both homage to the past and inspiration for a future of resilience, adaptability, and progress, the MSU president added.

Former MSU president Lokho Ozho explained the theme "Honouring our Ancestors" as a way to honour the legacies of past generations through culture, tradition, and memory.

He emphasised that their ancestors were woven into identity, with their stories, struggles, and triumphs echoing through their daily lives.

The theme also highlights their resilience, inspiring them to rise to challenges with the same fortitude.

It speaks to the continuity of strength and perseverance that has shaped Mao's identity, he added.

The inaugural programme featured a vibrant showcase of folk tunes and cultural artefacts.

Over 1,000 student delegates from 31 units are participating in the two-day event.

The latter part of the event included a series of competitions highlighting folk dance, folk tales, folk songs, and other traditional art forms.