Imphal, January 23: The post harvest festival of Zeliangrong community, Gaan Ngai was celebrated with traditional fervor and gaiety all over the State today.

Oblation to Ragwang Tingkao, the Almighty God for bumper harvest, sacred fire making, shouting of 'Hoi', rendering of devotional songs and presentation of cultural dances marked the celebration of the biggest festival of the Zeliangrong people.

The main function of the celebration was held at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre, Palace Compound with Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and MLA Z Mangaibou as chief guest and president respectively.

The event was organized by the All Zeliangrong Art and Cultural Organization.

Speaking at the function, Ibobi appealed to all the people to extend co-operation in bringing peace and development in the State, and said that without peace there cannot be any development.

He said that Manipur is a land inhabited by different groups of people who have been co-existing in mutual harmony since time immemorial.

Therefore, the onus of ushering in peace and development in the State should also lie on the shoulders of these different groups of people.

Despite its small size, Manipur has lot of potentials, be it in the field of sports, culture and resources like man power, etc.

These potentials have to be exploited judiciously and everyone should co-operate and join their hands in this endeavor, Ibobi said.

He further pointed out that many Indian States which were earlier torn apart by violence have now become peaceful and started taking keen interest in the developmental process.

We should also adopt similar approach and try to resolve all differences through mutual dialogue, the Chief Minister, while referring to the problem of insurgency in the State.

He maintained that Centre is reluctant to take up many development projects in the State because of the existing law and order.

Chief Minister also donated a sum of Rs 50,000 from his discretionary fund to the committee of the festival.

In his presidential address, Mangaibou dwelled on the essence of celebrating Gaan Ngai.

Apart from the obvious fact that Gaan Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zeliangrong community, celebration of the festival has deep religious significance, he said.

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