Manipur Government allocates Rs 5 crore for IDPs ahead of festive season Many throng Khwairamband for Chakkouba shopping

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 30 : The Manipur Government has sanctioned over Rs 5 crore aiming to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 each to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in various parts of the State.
According to an official notification, the amount will also cover the cost of providing items of daily need to the IDPs.
Taking to Facebook, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated the sanctioned sum will cover Rs 1,000 financial assistance to each IDP.
The amount would be distributed before Diwali and the ‘Ningol Chakkouba’ festival, Singh had said earlier.
The CM also flagged off the ‘Run for Unity Marathon’ on the eve of the National Unity Day.
Organised by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, the unity run covered a distance of around 4 km.
“This run is a powerful reminder of our commitment to unity and harmony. Let every stride today reinforce our shared bond as one nation, one people. Jai Hind!” Singh said in a post on X, reports India Today NE.
On the other hand even as the ongoing ethnic clash shows no sign of being resolved, it has not stopped people from stepping out and rushing to Khwairamband Keithel to do the much needed shopping ahead of Ningol Chakkouba which falls on November 3. A scene which is very different from last year when the people as a whole decided not to observe the day in solidarity with all those killed as well as the displaced folks.
From early morning till late in the evening today, people were pouring into the market and buying fruits, clothings, and all kinds of items for the festival.
Ningol Chakkouba is one the biggest festivals of Manipur which is celebrated on the 2nd of Meitei lunar month Hiyangei every year. On this day, married women visit their parental home for a feast. The festival strengthens the bond of love between brothers and sisters and the parents.
Ahead of the festival at the largest women run market--Khwairamband, there is huge traffic of people and vehicles thronging the market.
People were seen thronging every vendor in the market to buy sweets, fruits, clothings and many other items.
Fruits were sold like hot cakes.
Vendors were seen selling the fruits at different prices.
While many were selling apples at Rs 180 per kilogram, others were seen selling the same as low as Rs 150 per kilogram.
The rate of oranges ranged between Rs 150 and Rs 170.
Married women who were at the market shared their thoughts on the festival and expressed their enthusiasm to this reporter.
One newly wed woman said she was feeling excited that this would be her first Ningol Chakkouba after marriage.
She, however, opined that people should not spend money extravagantly on buying gifts.
"Ningol Chakkouba should be celebrated and preserved in its truest form. Spending too much money on buying gifts--competitive buying--undermines the essence of the festival," she said.
She also stated that the feast on the day doesn't need to be lavish.
"What really matters is we visit our parents, brothers, share some quality times with them and seek their blessings. Sharing a simple meal, and giving them a lot of wishes for good health is what the festival is all about," she added.
Another married woman in her mid 30s said she is happy that the festival will be celebrated this year.
"We couldn't celebrate Ningol Chakkouba last year due to the ongoing violent conflict. I'm happy we are celebrating the festival this year," she said.
The woman, however, opined that the Ningol Chakkouba this year should be toned down considering the crisis and hardships it has caused to thousands of people who are now taking shelter in relief camps across the State.
She said the festival should be celebrated in a simple but meaningful way.
Buying some apples and oranges, another woman said the prices of the fruits are reasonable considering it is festival time.
"Usually, prices are hiked during festival times, but the prices of the fruits at Khwairamband are reasonable," she said.
The more than a year long conflict has displaced thousands of people and the whole of Manipur is suffering. When people are facing such hardships, the prices of all commodities shouldn't be hiked, she said.
The conflict has made many young women widows. People are still mourning the loss of their loved ones. The festival should be toned down, she reiterated.
People will truly celebrate Ningol Chakkouba and all the other festivals when normalcy and peace return, she added.
Thiyam ongbi Thadoi (52), who sells Rani Phee (clothings) said the shops and vendors are selling more products compared to the previous year.
The market last year was recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but then it suffered another blow from the conflict, she said.
There were hardly any sales last year as Ningol Chakkouba was not celebrated. This time, people are coming out and buying goods, she said.
Thadoi said she has not raised the prices of the clothings she is selling. People are facing economic hardship due to the conflict. It is not wise to hike prices, she added.
As footfall increases in the market, she said, police are taking up appropriate security measures.
The Traffic police are also managing the flow of traffic, she added.
She also advised people to celebrate the festival in a meaningful way.
As November 3 approaches, many civil organisations too have appealed to the people to tone down the Ningol Chakkouba this year.
They have also urged people to buy products made in Manipur to improve the local economy.
The Government's Fisheries Department too is organising a fish fair on November 2 at Hapta Kangjeibung.