Curtains down on Zomi Convention CM stresses on preserving tradition
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, October 27 2013:
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today attended the valedictory event of the third World Zomi Convention hosted by Zomi Council at Lamka public ground along with his daughter and several other members of his Cabinet.
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of mutual respect and co-existence even as he expressed the need to preserve one's tradition, culture and identities.
In a multi ethnic society like Manipur, mutual respect and brotherly love is as essential as the burning desire of indigenous communities to preserve one's own identity for peace and prosperity of all communities living in the State, he said.
As the weather played spoilsport, the public which has gathered to attend the last day of the convention were compelled to cram inside the YPA Hqtrs Hall and two adjacent accommodations where the event was telecast live using a projector.
As the Hallelujah chorus was sung in one tune but in over 10 dialects, the daughter of Ibobi, who later made a solo appearance, joined them much to the excitement of the gathering.
The four hour long farewell event was also addressed by leaders of AMUCO, MPC and UNC besides the President of ZRO.
Dr Y Mani delivering his message on behalf of AMUCO said as the global world we live in advances, the need for collective efforts to withstand dissent increases.
He also expressed the desire to minimize the State's social, economic and political dependence.
His counterparts in Mizo Peoples Convention said they are optimistic about the Zo people sharing a common and shared cause.
Speaking on behalf of the UNC, L Adani said the Nagas will always rally behind the rights of every tribal community whose identity and dignity, he alleged have not been respected in the State of Manipur.
He went to alleged that the state tribal are in put into an impossible situation besides charging the dominant community of trying to nullify any opportunities open to the tribal by demanding a schedule tribe status and declaring the state a hill state.
The president of ZRO, Thanglianpau calls on all the Zomis to be conscious of their words and acts as it will have ramifications to the realization of their long desired ambition.
He concludes his speech the tradition way, singing his heart out, calling for a mutual and united cause.
Tributes were also paid to several leaders pioneering the Zo cause or the struggle of the Zo people, from revolutionaries to social activists including Laldenga, Tunkhopum Baite, Chengzapao Doungel, Lt Col Sonkhopau, T Gougin, Thualzen, Damkhopau, Prof Rouzathang, Dr Cin Do Kham and others.
Prayer for the Zo people or the Zo nation concludes the three-day grand convergence of the Zo people across the globe.