UKHRUL, Feb 15: As observed by the Naga community throughout the state, the seed sowing festival of the Nagas (Lui-Ngai-Ni) under the theme “sowing seeds exchange” was held at Tangkhul Naga Long ground at Hunphun (Ukhrul) today.
The festival commenced with a cultural procession attended by the chief guest of the function, Kevilitvo Kiewhuo , president of Naga Hoho . The event is considered to be among one of the most momentous occasion as the function had the record attendance of delegates from the Kuki community and Nagas tribes of Manipur including Anal, Chothe, Inpui, Lamkang, Maring, Meimei (Mao), Monsang (Sirti), Mayon, Poumei, Zeliang and Tangkhul according to the attendance register of the Tangkhul Naga Long , delegates of Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA),Naga Women’s Union, Manipur (NWUM), All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Students Federation (NSF), Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Chandel Naga Peoples’ Organization (CNPO), Kharam Hoho, NPO , Senapati’s highest body and Maram Public Organization, Lamkang Students Union and Zelianglong Students’ Union converged at the festival ground today.
Cultural folk dances were performed by dance troupes from Litan, Kuki area, Sarkaphung and Chekesang(Losami). The mega event was also participated by District Level Officers under the Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar. Some of the important events displayed in the occasion included presentations and introduction, blowing of traditional horns by Poumei Naga Union, lighting of sacred fire by Maring Uparup Assembly, Mao Council and Zeliangrong Baudi, and seeds exchange among all the ethnic tribes. Traditional games and traditional musical instrument presentations were also held.
“Rededicate ourselves to Naga reconciliation process, the persuasion of the alternative arrangement and the Indo-Naga peace process for an honorable settlement”, said Samson Remei, president of the United Naga Council.
The UNC president also cautioned that the “Nagas cultural identity” is under constant intrusion from different quarters in various guises. As a struggling people, determined to be a nation, the Nagas must be fully aware of the threats and give the utmost to preserve the inevitable cultural ethos of the Nagas. And at the same time, there is need to help others who are facing similar plight like the Nagas in Manipur, he said.
Addressing the festival the Naga Hoho president Keviletuo Kiewhuo appealed to Naga community and Naga organizations to strengthen the unity so that they could struggle together for achieving the aspirations of the Nagas.
He also welcomed the presence of Kuki leaders in this festival and appealed to the Kuki Inpi president to carry forward the message of unity of the two communities.
He said that Nagas were suffering for the past many years and divided. “We will not rest till we achieve our goal of integration and an honorable solution to the ongoing peace process and have peace with prosperity and happiness,” Keviletuo said.
The Naga Hoho chief appealed to the Nagas of Manipur to come clear on the demand for a separate administrative arrangement for the Nagas in the state. The demand should not hamper the ongoing peace process and should not close door to Naga unity, he added.
The function was held under a fool-proof security arrangement from the Government and students volunteers who controlled tens and thousands of people at the ground, streets of Ukhrul vehicles remained jammed due to traffic congestion.
ASHA
IMPHAL Feb 15: A 63 member delegate team of the All Manipur ASHA Workers’ Union will leave for the Capital to take part in the “March to Parliament” scheduled for February 23 and 24. The march is initiated by the All India ASHA workers; Federation and other central trade unions to entitle minimum wages to the workers and to provide service security coverage.
The workers of the state representatives taking part in the protest are notified to report to the state office on February 17 at 7 am, stated a press release by the union general secretary N Binodini .
