One culture, One destiny theme reverberates at Lui-Ngai-Ni fest

NNN/DIPR
IMPHAL, Feb 15 : Nagas in Manipur celebrated Lui-Ngai-Ni, the seed sowing festival, with fervour today.
The State level celebration function was held at Kapaam village in Chandel district under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) with the theme “One culture, one destiny”.
Attending the celebration function as chief guest, Manipur Water Resources Minister, Awangbow Newmai stressed the need for preserving culture and tradition which he termed as the priceless gifts of forefathers.
“We need to preserve our culture. Not only songs and dances, we should also preserve habits and culture. Let us keep up all the good cultures and habits of our forefathers. It is the priceless gifts of our forefather,” he said.
Asserting that Nagas are peace loving people, the Minister urged the people to show it through their deeds. “Let us spread the message of peace by way of respecting other communities.”
Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, in his address on the occasion, recalled the efforts to bring into shape the 'Lui-Ngai-Ni’ as a common festival of Nagas living in the State of Manipur.
He himself was actively involved in shaping the festival around 30 years ago, added the Minister.
The concept of the seed sowing festival was consolidated after a great deal of studies and consultations and christened as 'Lui-Ngai-Ni’ in the year 1986 and its celebration took shape in 1987, he added.
The first celebration was held in Imphal’s Pologround, he added.
Many sitting Naga MLAs, Outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, ex-Ministers, ex-Parliamentarians and ADC members also attended the occasion.
In his presidential address, UNC president Ng Lorho said that the celebration of the festival under the theme “One culture, one destination” is to show “oneness in diversity”.
“The theme is to inculcate on the people young and old to embrace the value of the system and abstract qualities of Naga culture. It will determine how far we will go in life,” he said.
He added that 'one culture' as a people will determine the destiny as a Nation.
Lorho observed that westernization has deeply inflicted on the culture of the Nagas, and added that the festival aims to imbibe the fundamental principle of social norms and value system.
“We aspire to have a Nation where law and justice is the rule of law and where the lowly are secured,” the UNC president added.
The celebration of the festival is also a political message to a common destination and to rekindle the past glory, according to the UNC chief.
Ng Lorho also talked of the ongoing Naga peace process and said that the Nagas hope for an acceptable and honorable solution based on the Framework Agreement.
“However, despite hectic negotiations during the past many years, the final agreement is yet to arrive at because the nature of the issue is such that it takes time.
“So, let us have patience and not be weary and succumb to any kind of piecemeal solution. Let us stand firm and steadfast to our ground with one voice and one accord so as to bring peace to the Nagas and the North East as well,” he said.
In today's event, various activities like folk songs, cultural dances, blowing of Lui-Ngai-Ni trumpet, beating of drums and lighting of Lui-Ngai-Ni fire were performed by different Naga tribes.
The blessings of seeds were invoked by the chief of Kapaam village.
Transport Minister Khasim Vashum, Chandel AC MLA SS Olish, Tamenglong AC MLA Janghemlung Panmei, Ukhrul AC MLA Ram Muivah, Karong AC MLA J Kumo Sha and other public leaders including ex-MLAs and ex-ADC Members also attended the function.