Annual paddy plantation festival Paoki begins at Purul in Manipur

Paddy plantation during Paoki Festival of Poumai community in Manipur on Wednesday.

Purul (Manipur) May 11 (EMN): Hiimai Paoki, the annual paddy plantation festival, one of the most significant traditional festivals of the Poumai community was held at this picturesque hill village, about 145 km north of Manipur’s state capital after more than 4 hours bumpy ride via Maram hill station in Senapati district from May 8 to the 10th.

After uprooting young paddy saplings followed by entertainment programmes in the evening, the transplantation of young paddy sapling was performed on Wednesday morning. Purul Akutpa village chief Ng Ngaile(73) and the villagers all took part in the activity.

People from far and wide take part in the Paoki festivity at this agriculturally advanced village where paddy cum fish farming practices continuous without chemical fertilizer with the village’s water resources. The traditional wrestling was also held on second day of the festival on Tuesday. Purul wrestlers bagged the winner’s title defeating their rival competitors from other Poumai villages in the district. Autonomous District Council Senapati chairman ML Markson, Bharatiya Janata Party Manipur Pradesh general secretary N Nimbus, Indian Bird Conservation network Manipur unit functionary RK Birjit led wildlife team, North Eastern Council officials,Senapati district students association representatives, village elders and other functionaries also witnessed wrestling and plantation programmes. The visitors were also served with traditional delicacies and local beverages during the festival.