KANGPOKPI, May 16: The Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council apart from organising the Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition yesterday organised a Cultural Meet as part of the exhibition programme today at Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi.
The meet was attended by Haokholal Hangshing, Chairman ADC Sadar Hills, all EMs, Member of ADC-SH, Chongpu Kipgen, MCS, Chief Executive Officer, SH-ADC,Kangpokpi, Pastors, Revd., local civil bodies leaders, village chiefs within Sadar Hills and cultural troupes of 10 different ethnic tribes .
While speaking at the meet, Haokholal Hangshing said that apart from organizing the Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition under the theme “Peace and Harmony”, the Cultural Meet has also been organized solely for Peace and Harmony among all ethnic tribes within Sadar Hills.
Hangshing expressed, “The rains today cannot stop us from striving to achieve peace and harmony. The success of today`s meet solely depends upon the cooperation rendered by the participants and the general public besides leaders of civil bodies organizations, church leaders, NGOs, village chiefs and the state government.”
“The turn up is less than expected due to rainfall. Though less, the love of peace and harmony shown by these few participants give us a new hope that we have realized our theme. For, these few turn up are those who really care and love Peace”, added Hangshing.
Mention may be made that the amount for the first prizes was donated by Haokholal Hangshing.
Hangshing appealed to all participants and the state govt besides the general public to extend their fullest support when such programs are organized again in future and also expressed hope that today’s few peace loving participants would multiple the next time.
The organising chairman Haokholen Guite, who is also the Executive Member of ADC Sadar Hills said, “We are one, though we have different names. We live in one and the same land and therefore we are all brothers and sisters”.
“Displaying our respective unique cultural dance while bearing miserable hardship cause by the rain together in one place signifies our oneness and brotherhood”, noted Guite while elaborating that it also signifies our eagerness to step in together in the field of positive development.
Guite also appealed to the state government to sanction better amount while organizing such an encouraging and effective program for promoting peace and harmony the next time since the current year sanction amount of Rs.3 lakhs is too less for the management.
Leilon Vaiphei Cultural Troupe was adjudged winner of the Cultural meet while Sandang Senba Maring Cultural Troupe was the 1st runner up and Thangkanphai Cultural Troupe the 2nd runner up.
The winner were awarded Rs.15,000 with a certificate of appreciation while the 1st and 2nd runner ups were awarded Rs.13,000 and Rs.12,000 with certificate of appreciation respectively.
Other participating cultural troupes were given Rs.10,000.
The closing ceremony of the two day long Handloom and Handicraft cum Cultural Meet organised by Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council will be held tomorrow informed the organizing committee.