IMPHAL, November 1: As celebrated annually, the state level Kut 2015 was celebrated today at the 1st Manipur Rifles parade ground organized by State Level Kut Committee Manipur.
However this year due to the present turmoil in the hill districts of the State, the festival was not celebrated in the manner it was celebrated in previous years.
Visibly, the attendance of the people coming to the festival was much lower, compared to previous years.
It can be said that this year the festival was celebrated only for the namesake by excluding almost all the entertainment programmes like music, beauty contest, etc.
The programmes which usually continue till late into the nights in previous years concluded before 3 pm this year.
Addressing the function as the chief guest, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said `let this festival brings peace, harmony and prosperity in Manipur.`
The Kut festival is celebrated by the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community post harvest since earlier times praying and thanking the `Almighty`™ for fruitful harvest.
Even though the festival was celebrated only by the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community, it can be said that as of now the festival has become a very important festival for all the communities residing in the State, he said.
Under the aspiration of live and let live, the festival has once again showed the people of the State to be united keeping aside the differences in religion, culture, tradition, language, etc, Ibobi added.
The today`™s function was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, other cabinet ministers, MLAs, Chief Secretary, civil and police officials.
A two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those departed souls who died in the Churachandpur incident. Tributes were also paid to other Kuki leaders.
Munpi village chief Thangkhohao Haokip was declared `Kut-Pa`™, (host).
Choirs group of Kuki Baptist presented songs, and other artist performed cultural numbers at the function.