IMPHAL, January 3: Three-day Poumai Thounii, festival of New Year or the festival of dawn, one of the oldest and most popular customary festivals of Poumai tribe will begin from Monday at Senapati mini stadium.
In the introductory session the declaration of Thounii celebration and dedicatory prayer would be led by executive secretary PNBA P. James.
On January 5- the inaugural session, minister for tribal Affairs government of India Jual Oram would be the chief guest , minister of state (tribal affairs) Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava and parliamentary secretary higher and technical education Nagaland Deo Nukhu would be the guests of honour and MLA Manipur Dr. V. Alexander Pao as the functional president.
Other dignitaries to address the gathering includes director (crop and trade) department of Agriculture ,cooperation and farmers welfare govt. of India S.J. Chiru IAS, President Naga Hoho P. Chuba Ozukum, Chairman Autonomous District Council Senapati M.L. Markson, commander 59th Mnt. Bgde Senapati Brigadier Jeetendra Ohri, Manipur chief secretary Nabakishore Singh IAS, principal secretary for tribal affairs Manipur S.K. Dev Verma IAS, secretary for Arts and culture Manipur K. Radha Kumar Singh IAS and Senapati DC Jacintha Lazarus IAS.
Competitions like wrestling, Miss Thounii contest, whooping, folk dance, folk song, yodelling, horn blowing, etc. would be held on January 5and 6. Around 10,000 delegates from more than 80 villages would be participant in the celebration.