IMPHAL, Aug 23 � The Gangte tribe of Manipur has created a world record in mass Bible reading. Limca Book of Records, Asia Book of Records & India Book of Records have recognised a mass Bible reading session by 7,047 readers during the Gangte Gospel Centenary Celebration (GGCC) at Cheingkonpang, Churachandpur on December 16 last year as record holding reading, according to GGCC Chairman LS Gangte.
Braving the cold December winter breeze, 7047 participants of GGCC read out the whole Book of Romans in standing position from chapter 1 to 16 within one hour 27 minutes time.
Gangtes, settled in Manipur�s Churachandpur district and with a population of 20,000, came to Manipur in the 16th century from Burma. Besides the 54 Gangte villages in Manipur, they are also settled in Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya.
For the Gangtes, setting records is not new to them. They have created a world record amongst others for �swimming the thick cloud (mist), blunting the sharp edge of axe with toes, whipping to death elephants by loin clothes and felling of teak trees from its trunk�, GGCC officials claimed. These records were, though without documentary evidence, passed down to generations through the word of mouth.
�However, the record for mass Bible reading has been properly documented both by print and electronic media�, said GGCC chairman. �The video recordings, media reports, photographs and certificate from the observers were sent to record bodies such as Limca Book of Records, Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records. The record bodies accepted our claim based on documentary evidence after much research, survey and cross-checking�, he added.
The mass Bible reading session was organised with an objective to spread the Gospel throughout the seven sister States of the Northeastern region.
�The achievement is significant not only for Gangte community, but also for the whole of Manipur,� he said. �It�s a moment of joy and happiness for us all as the records have been achieved in the soil of Manipur.�
