Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29:
Giving a clarion call to all, Apunba Kanglei Sinnaibi Lup (AKSIL), a body of women weavers has pleaded for discarding the culture of depending on products brought in from outside Manipur and sold in the local markets as gifts for Ningol Chakkouba festival and instead use the locally woven cloths.
Addressing a press conference at its Keishampat office today, AKSIL president Th Gomti Leima observed that there is the possibility of clouding over the very essence of celebrating Ningol Chakkouba due to over dependence on goods brought from outside after some women fell into the trap of market goods.
Moreover, an unfortunate trend of bargaining for the gifts to be given and Athenpot to be taken is being witnessed thereby giving out wrong message to the people on the age-old festival symbolising the bond between the brothers and the sisters, Gomti Leima pointed out.
Dependence on the foreign has not only belittle the significance of Ningol Chakkouba festival, but it has also given a serious impact on the economy of the State and the work culture of the people, she said.
So, with the main objective of countering all these bad influences, AKSIL would be organising a Festive Fair to be named Kanglei Ningol Khudol for the second time from November 4 to 10 at GM Hall here, Gomti Leima announced.
More than 50 member Societies of AKSIL would be participating in the Festive Fair where the sale and exhibition of locally weaved handloom products would be facilitated, she explained, while appealing to all the people to come and take part in the fair in the interest of preserving the true character of celebrating Ningol Chakkouba festival, augmenting the economy of the State, promote work culture and encourage the weavers in the
State.