IMPHAL, Jan 8 - Gaan Ngai, the biggest post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong tribes of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, got under way in the Zeliangrong-dominated areas of Manipur and the North East region today. On the occasion, a sacred fire was made to purify the entire community and a colourful dance was performed by troupes representing numerous Zeliangrong communities,
The formal inauguration of the festival in Manipur, heralding the arrival of the New Year, was marked by an invocation to god, congregational prayers and dance performances.
Forest and Environment Minister Th Shyamkumar Singh, who was present in a function held at Ramji Kabui village, assured that the State Government would take up necessary development works in the village in consultation with the Chief Minister. He also called for the preservation of the age-old traditions of the community.
H Chaoba Singh, Director of the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, N Rajendro (Boi), Adviser to the Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur, and key functionaries of the Tingkao Ragawang Chapriak (TRC), who were present in the function, also spoke on the occasion.
Revenue Minister K Shyam, accompanied by MLA Ksh Biren (Lamlai) and noted entrepreneur Th Arun Kabui, besides village elders, attended another function at Sawombung Kabui Khunjao in Imphal East district.
There are also reports of celebration of the Gaan Ngai Festival across 85 Kabui villages in the valley areas.
The Gaan-Ngai Festival was declared a restricted holiday in 1976 and it was upgraded to a public holiday on January 10, 1998 when W Nipamacha was the Chief Minister.
�We celebrate the festival to thank god for blessing us,� said Chunkeirung Kamei, vice president of TRC Assam, Nagaland Manipur.
Manipur Governor Dr Najma Heptulla and Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Speaker Y Khemchand, ministers Th Biswajit (Works), K Syam (Revenue), Th Shyamkumar (Forest) have wished the people of Manipur, particularly the Zeliangrongs, on the auspicious occasion of the festival.
In her message, the Governor said: �Let us all join the celebration of Gaan-Ngai in a spirit of friendship and brotherhood with traditional gaiety and devotion and ring in the New Year for peaceful and prosperous Manipur.�
