Imphal, November 01: Amid the steady drizzle of November rain, Kut Festival 2006 the grandest post harvest celebration of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group was celebrated throughout the State with the State level celebration held at the Parade Ground of 1st Manipur rifles today with religious fervour and gaiety.

While numerous Kuki civil society organisations celebrated the event at their respective jurisdictions with enthusiasm, at the MR Parade Ground the celebration was marked with the showcasing of myriad and rich cultural ethos of these groups.

Compared to the relatively warm climes at the State capital and border town of Moreh, people of all denominations congregated at Saikul and Sadar Hills festival venues braving the chilly weather conditions.


Village youth vaulting over mithun during the Kut festival held at Saichang village in Sadar Hills, Manipur

Gracing the State level function as the chief guest Governor Dr SS sidhu expressed that every festival of a community or a group of people has its own and distinct character and message adding the spirit of Kut festival is to disseminate the message of peace, friendship, brotherhood, compassion and forgiveness among the people not only in Manipur but also to mankind.

In the celebration of a festival, the edifice of oneness gets strengthened, he said while pointing out that ensuring sense of oneness and friendly feelings is central to peaceful co-existence, which is the need of the hour in today's trouble-torn society.

"I believe that the Kut festival will be celebrated in its true spirit and it will help further strengthen the social fabric that binds different groups of people together.

In fact, peaceful co-existence is an age-old and glorious tradition of the people of Manipur and every community has to contribute its mite to sustain this glorious tradition," the Governor exhorted.

Dr Sidhu also donated Rs 50,000 to the state level Kut committee.

Tribal development minister Phungzathng Tonsing in his message as functional president, appealed to the people of the state to promote peace, unity and harmony through the spirit of Kut.

Minister for Health and Social Welfare DK Korungthang, who attended the occasion as guest of honour, lamented that people sometimes misuse and misinterpret the true essence of any festival.

He urged all to bring about unity in diversity by such festivals.

Cultural troupes belonging to the Mizo, Paite, Tarao and Khoiren-Tak communities among others presented traditional items, as youth bands/groups belted out foot tapping numbers to keep the Kutters on their feet.

Meanwhile, Miss Kut Contest which was unarguably the most popular crowd puller of previous celebrations has been cancelled by the state level Kut committee.

At Saikul Block ground, main highlight of the Kut celebration hosted by Saikul Block Level Kut Committee include presentation of cultural items and couples' traditional fashion parade.

In his address as the chief guest, president of Kuki Inpi Manipur Holkholun Lhungdim exhorted the Kukis to toil for their own development rather than rely on others.

Appealing to the Kuki militant groups to shun violence and work for peace and development, Holkholun further reminded that apart from violence hampering development the general public are feeling agitated on being denied peace and tranquillity.

Reiterating that peace and harmony are essential in achieving the goal of prosperity, MLA C Doungel wished that the Kut festival will spread the message of peace and development.

The Kut 2006 celebrated at Enjakhup ground of Saichang village in Sadar Hills was attended by titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba and vice president of HERICOUN Rev Renghang Chothe as the chief guest and president respectively with Kuki Inpi Manipur president Holkholun Lhungdim and social worker Jamthang Haokip as guests of honour.

Reception of Leishemba Sanajaoba reminiscent of those accorded to past rulers (kings) of Manipur when they toured hill areas, revival of traditional taming and vaulting over mithun and multi-ethnic cultural extravaganza were some of the unique feature of Kut celebration in Saichang.

Rendition of popular folk and contemporary numbers and traditional fashion show kept the festival revellers intact till late evening.

In his brief address, Leishemba Sanajaoba said inspite of forefathers' effort to foster love and brotherhood amongst different communities had remained incomplete, the vibrancy of the festival and the fact that members of society's numerous denominations celebrated the occasion implies that endeavours to unite the people of the North East region is heading in the right direction.

Expressing pleasure on seeing the festival being celebrated with traditional fervour, Rev Renghang cautioned that blindly aping alien culture would have negative impact to indigenous people in the long run.

He lauded the festival hosts Sadar Hills District Level Committee for their effort to revive the traditional way of celebrating Kut.

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