Meitei’s Ningol Chakouba today

Our Correspondent IMPHAL,NOVEMBER 12 Manipur was filled with festive mood on the eve of Ningol Chakkouba, the biggest festival in Manipur, chocking most of the important routes passing though the historic Khwairamband Keithel, the main market in the state capital on Thursday.Ningol Chakkouba to be celebrated on November 13. Thousands of shoppers mostly women folks coming from various parts of the state thronged the Khwairaband, the busiest market place here for the last minute shopping for the Ningol Chakkouba. Ningol means daughter and Chakouba means invitation for a lunch in their parent’s house. To meet the demand for fish for the festival, a fish fair cum fish crop competition was held by the State Fisheries department at the Inter-State bus terminus complex which is yet to be made operational here this afternoon. On Ningol Chakouba married daughters visit their mother’s place wearing their finest and bring fruits and sweets for the family. The daughters have lunch with the family members. The daughters are also presented gifts by the parents and brothers. Meanwhile greetings for the greatest festival of Manipur are pouring in from various quarters.Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar and Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray have extended greetings to the people of the State on the occasion of the Ningol Chakkouba.In his message to the people of the State, the Speaker wished that the spirit of love and affection of the celebration would spread across communities for peaceful co-existence and a better Manipur. The Deputy Speaker in his message prayed that the celebration would strengthen the bond of love and unity among all communities living in the State. Many civil society organizations besides politicalparties including Communist Party of India, Manipur State Council, All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association,Meetei International Civic Action Network, Khurai, All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation have also extended heartfelt greetings the people on the occasion of Ningol Chakkouba. Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) Major General VS Sreenivas and all ranks of Assam Rifles and also GOC Red Shield Division Major General PN Rao in their separate statements extended warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Manipur on the auspicious occasion of festival.