Our Correspondent
Imphal, Nov. 1 (EMN): Chavang Kut, a post harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo community was celebrated across Manipur on Tuesday.
The state level festival was celebrated on the theme ‘Unity through culture’ at Tuibong in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh along with his council of ministers Nemcha Kipgen (Commerce and Industry), L Susindro Meitei(Consumer Affairs Food and Public Distribution), H Dingo Singh(Social Welfare), Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, officials and leaders of civil society organisations were present during the festival.
Greeting the people on the occasion of Kut, Biren Biren urged the people of Churachandpur to get ready for the state’s extravaganza Sangai Festival which will be celebrated later this month.
This year, various events will be held as part of Sangai Festival at places like Khoupum and Behiang in Churachandpur, where the Chivu Chandrakirti Memorial Park was inaugurated, Biren Singh said. Sangai Festival will not be confined to only Imphal, he asserted, further appealing to the people to join the festival.
Highlighting the recent initiative towards developing the Henglep road with a budget of about INR 130 crore, he reiterated that the government will take development to all corners of the state and highlighted the plan on developing Behiang as a commercial hub like Moreh.
Biren Singh said that the people can bring any issue of discontentment before the government through their representatives or to him directly. He further announced the INR 1.5 crore required will be provided for completing the stadium at the Peace Ground, Churachandpur adding that sports is necessary for a healthy society.
The Chief Minister concluded his speech with a call for peaceful co-existence as citizens of Manipur and India.
In her presidential speech, Commerce and Industry Minister Nemcha Kipgen stated that Kut is the biggest and the most popular festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribes.
She continued that over the years, celebrations of the Kut had become even more important, relevant, and meaningful as it promotes the essence of brotherhood among different communities.
Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba, addressing the gathering, said that Kut is a beautiful festival where one offers thanksgiving to the Almighty for a good harvest and appealled to all to continue living together in peace and with unity and to bring development to Manipur.
During the programme, cultural dances by cultural troupes of different tribes were also showcased apart from the traditional round of the Miss Kut beauty pageant with participation of 18 belles belonging to different communities.
Later, Biren Singh visited INA Complex at Moirang and the site at Moirang Khunou where the Sangai Ethnic Park is being constructed and took stock of the ongoing construction work.