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The 49th Karbi Youth Festival (KYF), one of the oldest ethnic festival of Northeast began on Wednesday at Karbi People’s Hall in Taralangso.
The festival is hosted by Karbi Cultural Society (KCS).
The five-daylong mega cultural extravaganza which began on Feb. 15 will conclude on Feb. 19.
The festival will witness various traditional and modern dance and song competitions and demonstrations. Altogether 31 KCS units are being part of the festival.
The inaugural programme was held on Thursday at Hemphu Mukrang Achetai. The programme commenced with Rongketong – a procession by artists from the Zonal camp to the inaugural ground where a tribute to Rangsina Sarpo -- the divine Karbi musician -- was performed followed by paying homage to the departed leaders and members of KCS, led by the president, Karbi Rong Asar Amei, Dharma Teron, after which it was followed with the hoisting of the KCS flag.
Inaugurating the festival, chief guest Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang said that there should be unity among the Karbi tribe and should maintain the spirit of brotherhood.
The CEM said, “Let there be unity among us and let not decisive take place among us, rather maintain brotherhood.” “The tradition and culture that brings the bond of oneness, likewise we should maintain peace and harmony into our life,” he added and appealed to all the tribes and communities living in Karbi Anglong to be one and stay united for the cause of Autonomous State.
Ronghang also mentioned that next year i.e. 2024 will be the golden jubilee year of the KYF and for the grant celebration, an extra budget provision of INR 10 crore will be made by the KAAC.
The KYF was first organised at Karbi Club, Rongnihang, Diphu in 1974 and since then, the festival became an annual affair with the prime objective of developing and promoting the Karbi language, culture and traditions.
Read: Five-day KYF 2022
He mentioned that between 1994 to 2000, leaders including former MP Dr. Jayanta Rongpi; former MLA and now president of Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), Chandra Kanta Terang; late Dr. Sarsing Terang; former CEM, KAAC and now general secretary, ASDC, Jotson Bey; former MLA, Dhorom Sing Teron and late Robinson Kro contributed toward promoting the KYF through active participation in KCS. He also mentioned that the disbanded armed organisations -- the United People’s Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) and Karbi Longri and NC Liberation Front (KLNLF) – have been giving support to the KCS and KYF.
The inaugural function was attended by MLA Bidyasing Engleng, who is also the president of the 49th KYF Reception Committee and Dorsing Ronghang and Executive Members, KAAC and MACs and Deputy Commissioner, Madhumita Bhagawati; Principal Secretary, KAAC, Mukul Kumar Saikia and SP, Karbi Anglong, Sanjiv Kumar Saikia. (Diphu, EMN)