TODAY -
If culture lost, identity lost : CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 29 2009:
The biggest traditional festival of the Zeliangrong community spread across Manipur, Nagaland and Assam, Gaan-Ngai has begun from today with pomp and gaiety.
The festival will continue for five days.
The state level Gaan-Ngai festival was inaugurated today at the Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre (BOAT) here by the Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi as the chief guest at a colourful function with various programmes of folk music and dances of the Zeliangrong people.
The festival was opened with the traditional ritual of Yupanthaba (offering of holy wine to God), which was followed by the ritual of Meiba Chingba, making fire by repeatedly pulling a cord against a piece of dry log.
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As a traditional formality, the Chief Minister took the holy fire and lit the traditional lamp to open and handover the festival to the Zeliangrong community.
The inaugural function was organised by the State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister affirmed that traditions of a community are very important, if traditions of a community are lost, the identity of that community is also lost.
Wishing that the festival would usher in peace in the state, the Chief Minister further said that knowing the great significance of the festival, his government had declared the day as a state holiday, and has been taking up all necessary steps in order to facilitate all the people of the community to take part in the festival.
Acknowledging that the festival takes a major role in preserving and promoting the traditions, culture and customs of the Zelieangrong community, Chief Minister Ibobi said that if the traditions of a community are lost, the identity of that community is also lost.
He stressed the need for preserving and promoting culture and traditions of all the communities of Manipur.
All the communities need to respect each others culture and traditions and should not look down upon others, he said.
He said that there is no reason for the small communities living in Manipur to feel that they are minorities.
It should be felt that "We are all one and united." No one can discriminate other community.
He also pointed out that a large section of the Zeliangrong communities are settled in the valley more than in the hills.
There are about 64 Zeliangrong villages in the valley areas.
The present government makes development programmes in the hill areas its top priority, Chief Minister Ibobi said.
The philosophy of Gaan-Ngai festival certainly centres around love and brotherhood, he said and appealed to the people to live together with mutual love, understanding and harmony.
"Let us all join hands to make a concerted effort to bring about a peaceful society," the Chief Minister said.
He also announced to pay an amount of Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister's discretionary fund to the State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee so that the festival would be celebrated in the fullest form.
Vice Chairman of Hill Area Committee, Khangthuanang Panmei presided over the inaugural function.
A large number of Zeliangrong men and women, boys and girls attired in the spectacularly colourful traditional dresses presented folk dance and music, which kept the large audience at the BOAT mesmerised.
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