IMPHAL, September 20: The Mera Hou Chongba Thousil Lup today announced that the Mera Hou Chongba will be observed on October 18 at the Royal Palace and Kangla.
This year, the Mera Hou Chongba will be observed on October 18 and a day before on October 17, the Manipur titular King, Leishemba Sanajaoba will receive the participants coming from afar including from the hills at the Royal Palace, said convener Mutum Churamani while addressing media persons during a press conference at the Uttara Sanglen today.
As expenses to be incurred during the observation is speculated to be huge considering the accommodation and fooding of the participants who will be coming from across the state cutting across communities, the Thousil Lup will be accepting donations in kind or in cash starting tomorrow, he continued.
Mera Hou Chongba encourages brotherhood, integrity and unity amongst the indigenous people of the land, he opined.
He said that this year, the celebration will witness the participation of civil societies of the state and people from all communities.
Zeliangrong Union, advisor, R Chandrasing Haomei who is also a co-convener of the Thousil Lup said the Mera Hou Chongba which encourages participation of people from all communities, religious and ethnic groups without any differences is one of the biggest festivals of the state.
He further expressed happiness over the observation of such festivals in the state.
Acknowledging that the celebration of the festival has today lost most of its sheen, he elaborated that in the past, the Mera Hou Chongba was celebrated on a large scale under the patron of the King.
Participation from different communities in the festival has also become less which has adversely affected the love and friendship amongst the different communities, he continued.
He further appealed to the government to set up a policy and sanction grants for the annual observation of the festival.
He further appealed to the people of the state to participate in the celebration of the festival and encourage unity and brotherhood.