Indigeneity string pulls the heart on Mera Hou Chongba day

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 17 : As in previous years, the State celebrated Mera Hou Chongba, the cultural festival of solidarity at Sana Konung and Kangla today.
Significantly the festival this year was held exclusively for the indigenous people of Manipur and aims to strengthen the ties between the hill and valley people.
Holding rituals such as Mera Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba at Kangla Uttra, exchanging gifts between hill and valley people and showcasing cultural items  were the main events of the programme.
The celebration was graced by Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai as chief guest.
Chief Minister N Biren could not attend the programme as he is in Delhi to attend the swearing in ceremony of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
People from both hill and valley districts including village chiefs and cultural troupes started arriving at Sana Konung yesterday to take part in the festival and they were warmly received by the organiser-State Level Organising Committee on Mera Chongba 2024.
The festivities commenced at Sana Konung at around 8 am by holding Mera Wayungba (a flag hoisting ceremony).
After holding a series of rituals, the function resumed in front of Kangla Uttra in the presence of Awangbow Newmai, Rajya Sabha MP cum titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, CAF&PD Minister L Susindro, Health Minister Dr S Ranjan, Transport Minister Khasim Vashum, Social Welfare Minister H Dingo, MLAs Dr U Deben, K Leishiyo and Th Shanti, top ranking civil and police officials and village chiefs.
A souvenir of Mera Hou Chongba was also released at the function.
At the function, Awangbow Newmai appealed to every Manipuri to lend a hand in restoring normalcy in the State.
People should not think that it is only the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister or the  Chief Minister who can resolve the crisis in Manipur, he said and added that the Government cannot end the unrest without the support of the people.
He went on to state that the people should support the peace initiative being taken up by the Government to take Manipur to the path of peace.
Appealing to both the warring communities to forgive one another and stop the blame game, Awangbow said that there won't be any development if there is no peace.
"Human beings are not meant to be perfect in everything," he added
"Forgive one another for all the wrongs that have been done for the sake of the future of  Manipur," the Naga MLA appealed.
Meanwhile, Awangbow said that he is elated to see the festival of Mera Hou Chongba being celebrated in a grand manner.
He also said that more people from the hill and valley attended the festival this year than last year.
Saying that all human beings are one although they speak different languages and follow different religions, the Naga MLA added that Mera Hou Chongba is a festival which celebrates solidarity among the people.
Mera Hou Chongba is one of the major festivals celebrated by different communities living together in Manipur, he said while maintaining that younger generations should not forget the culture and tradition passed down by their ancestors.
CAF&PD Minister  L Susindro, on the other hand, said that Mera Hou Chongba is one such festival which celebrates the brotherly ties between the hill and valley people who have been living together since ancient times.
Saying that Kabui people perform Mera Yenkhong Tamba at the festival, the CAF and PD Minister prayed for the festival to bring peace and development in the State.