[caption id="attachment_141139" align="alignleft" width="550"]
Preparations underway in Mon for the Lao-ong festival)[/caption]
Dimapur, Sep. 25 (EMN): The Konyak community is preparing to celebrate ‘Lao-ong Mo,’ said to be a post-harvest festival in Mon town on Sep. 28 and the 29th. The Lao-ong Mo Committee issued a press release informing about the event on Monday.
Under the aegis of the Konyak Union, the press release stated, Lao-ong Mo is being jointly organised by the Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong, Konyak Students’ Union, Konyak Baptist Bumeinok Bangjum, Konyak Gazetted Officers’ Union, Konyak Village Council Union, and the Mon District VDB Association.
‘With the need not only to engage with the cultural past but also to accommodate values and virtues which are embedded within this culture, the theme ‘Enculturation’ (has) been adopted as the theme for this year’s festival. Therefore, the concept of this celebration is not to limit to the celebration of agricultural harvest and productivity but more so to inculcate values which are harmonious and constructive in its nature,’ the press release stated.
The two-day event will constitute of various celebrative programmes, the organisers informed.
Chief Minister TR Zeliang is scheduled to attend the Loa-Ong Mo inaugural programme as the chief guest and Noke Wangnao, chairman of DAN as the guest of honour, the press release informed.
“As mark of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest during the current year, all local products ranging from artistic handicrafts to harvested crops will be exhibited and put on sale during the event. All eleven federating units under Konyak Union and twelve federating units under Konyak Nyupuh Sheko Khong will take active part with the spirit of competition in the exhibition and sales,” the organisers informed.
On day-one (evening), EE Pangteang Konyak, Minister for RD & REPA, is scheduled to attend the programme as chief guest while Pohwang Konyak, parliamentary secretary for NRLM & Evaluation will be the guest of honour.
“The programme will also witness recognition and acknowledgement of Konyak individuals and personalities who have excelled in various categories during the current year,” the organisers informed.
On day-two (morning), N Thongwang Konyak, MLA, will attend the occasion as chief guest while S Khoiwang Wangsa will attend the programme as the guest of honour, the press release stated.
“The major event of the morning session will constitute of ‘Wantok Weihpu’ or ‘Indigenous games and sports’ competition in various categories. All federating units under Konyak Union will compete for the prizes with great passion and enthusiasm. Day-2 (evening): In the final order of the event, Shri. Naiba Konyak. Advisor State Lottery & NBDA will grace the occasion as chief guest and with Shri. Honje Konyak DC Mon as the guest of honour,” the press release stated.
An evening session ‘talent night’ will focus on performance of individuals and groups in various categories of talents, the organisers stated. ‘This is imperative not only to encourage and promote the talents of old and young alike but also build a mechanism through which emerging individuals can be identified,’ the press release added.
The Konyak Union has invited all to be part of the festival, the organisers added.
