IMPHAL, January 25: The state level Gaan-Ngai 2013 celebration was held today at Tarung village ground in the presence of the state Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh and Dy Chief Minister Gaikhangam. The celebration was organized by the State Level Gaan-Ngai 2013 Celebration Committee.
The Chief Minister, O Ibobi inaugurated the celebration which was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister Francis Ngajokpa, Works minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, Agriculture minister Md Abdul Nasir, former Union Minister of State (Home) Prof M Kamson and several Parliamentary Secretaries and MLAs, and leaders of various community groups.
Speaking at the observation, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said Gaan-Ngai is the biggest festival of the Zeliangrong people and that the day is celebrated not only in the state, but also in Assam and Nagaland, he said. Elaborating further, the Chief Minister said the festival is celebrated as an act of praising and thanking the Tingkao Ragwang- the deity for a good harvest in the past year. The CM also prayed for peace and unity amongst the people of the land as children of the same mother. Other than the state level function, the day is also observed in all villages inhabited by the community with offerings for the local deity. The internal idea of the celebration, the Chief Minister said is love, peace and forgiveness. The Chief Minister also urged the people not to allow selfishness to breed amongst the different communities residing in the state.
The CM also assured 30 bundles of GI sheets for the construction of a Zeliangrong office in reply to a memorandum submitted during the function.Regarding to other demands mentioned in the memorandum regarding repairing of the road from the village leading to the New Manipur Legislative Assembly and to the Lamphel Super Market, the Chief Minister said that he will consult the concerned Ministers and see how it can be taken up in a phase wise manner.
Dy Chief Minister, Gaikhangnam said the Zeliangrong Inpui people are a peace loving community with a rich culture. The Zeliangrong Inpui celebrates a festival every month and as such has 12 festivals in a year.
Of all the festivals, the Chakaan Gaan Ngai is the most important and biggest festival and is generally celebrated for a week, the Dy CM said, before adding that now the festival is observed for only five days.
While greeting the people on the occasion, the Dy CM also said the festival is observed to pray for a prosperous, peaceful and united Manipur.