Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, February 14
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]anipur Governor Dr K K Paul, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya have extended warm greetings to the people of the State, particularly Naga brethren on the auspicious occasion of Lui-Ngai-Ni festival, the traditional ‘seed sowing festival’ of Manipuri Nagas. The festival will be celebrated at Senapati district headquarters, 60 km north of Imphal on Sunday.Lui-Ngai-Ni is one of the biggest festivals of the Naga community. The festival assumes much significance among the people of North East as it appeals for peaceful co-existence and at the same time spreads the message of ‘live and let live’ cutting across the barriers of caste, creed and religion.
Lui-Ngai-Ni is a cultural festival and is marked by a plethora of cultural displays and events. The main highlights of the Lui-Ngai-Ni celebrations are lighting of the sacred fire, blessing of the seeds to be sown for the season, traditional log drum beating, traditional folk dances and songs and traditional fire making.
Governor Dr Paul wished for the celebration of the festival in its true spirit while Chief Minister wished that the celebration would strengthen the bond of oneness and brotherhood among the different communities co-existing in the State.
Deputy Chief Minister also conveyed hope that the seed sowing festival would sow the seeds of peace, brotherhood and unity amongst the various tribes of Manipur.
Lok Sabha MP Dr Meinya wishes that the festival would bring love, peace, prosperity and happiness to the people of Manipur and that the celebration would strengthen the bond of unity among the different communities of the State.
