New Delhi, January 11: Chakkan Gaan-Ngai, the most colourful cultural festival of Zeliangrong Naga living in the state of Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety at JNU community hall in the capital on 10th Jan 2004. The celebration was open with throwing stone by Shri. Holkhomang Haokip, MP, Manipur and Shri. Apok Jamir, MP from Nagaland respectively. Apok Jamir, the chief guest lighted the candle from the sacred fire produce by rubbing bamboo strings with a wooden block by the Zeliangrong youths. W.L. Hangshing IAS and Mrs. Amusana Joute social worker are also grace the function as Guest of Honours. Most of the Zeliangrong elders, well-wishers and students residing in and around the capital attended the function in tradition attire. Folk dance, Mr. and Mrs. Gaan-Ngai contest, Folk song competition, Pajeimei thrills, talent show are the unique fiesta in the celebration.
It is the festival very original; Zeliangrong community known as Kabui Naga has never been less than any other community, Holkhomang said. Rejecting the concept of tribal he further appeal that the hilly people of North-East are very civilized. Unlike China and Myanmar our democracy has provided to safeguard our cultural right. Our representatives can contact directly to higher authority for any problem to find out an amicable solution. Our rich cultural should be preserved by the new generation to bring out an understanding and peaceful co-existence among the different communities in the region. The chief guest Apok Jamir said that, Gaan-Ngai is the festival of light, which provided our people in the spirit of sportsmanship, competition, purity, and tremendous respect to elders. This value of festival is infinity; our present generation should value the festival in true spirit.
The author is a journalist based in New Delhi.
He can be contacted at [email protected]
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