IMPHAL, February 13: The 22nd State Level Khurpui-Lam festival 2013 was held today at the Manipur Film Development Corporation`s Auditorium Hall, Palace Gate with state Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Olympic Bronze medalist MC Mary Kom in attendance as the chief guest and special guest respectively.
The festival is celebrated by the Kom community, organized by the Khurpui-Lam Organization.
Addressing the celebration,Gaikhangnam said the Kom community is a unique and a blessed tribe. He elaborated that the contribution of the Kom community to the society has been outstanding considering the fact that the community’s population in the state is limited to residing in only a few villages.
Praising, MC Mary Kom who is from the community, the Dy CM said she is the dream role of the public and epitomises the hope to bring another medal from the next Olympic.
He further appealed to the community that they should not only celebrate the day but should also highlight it before the outside world so that people may understand the festival and the community.
One of the most prominent individual from the community, boxing star and Olympic Bronze medalist, MC Mary Kom expressed her appreciation that the celebration has been made a grand success by the organizers with support from the Ministers, MLAs and the people.
IFCD Minister, Ngamthang Haokip in his presidential address apprised the gathering that he had already requested the state Chief Minister to consider naming a road in boxing star Mary Kom’s name to which the CM had assured to take up the issue with the State cabinet, which is still awaited.
MLA TN Haokip, also an adviser of the organizing committee as the chief host of the day said there are similar musical instruments and dance forms of the Kom community in countries like Laos and Cambodia.
Identifying the tribe to be a unique community, he elaborated on the need to preserve its customs, traditions and other aspects of the tribe.