Manipur PWD/Works minister Th Biswajit Singh distributes Ningol Chakkouba gifts in Imphal on Saturday.
Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 21
Ningol Chakkouba festival was celebrated today in Manipur. It is one of the most important festivals of the Meitei community celebrated every year either in the month of October or November. Basically, the festival is to promote bond between brothers and sisters.
On the occasion, married women are invited to their paternal or brothers’ homes for grand feasts. The married women go to their parents’ or brothers’ homes with sweets and other edible items accompanied by their children. After food, the sisters and their children receive gifts from the brothers. The sisters in turn bless the brothers.
In his message, Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh said Ningol Chakkouba is one of the biggest festivals of Manipur “which celebrates the unbreakable bond of love between brothers and sisters.” He also said that the festival reinforces the “care and affection of the parents for their daughters.” The Chief Minister also said that Ningol Chakkouba was originally celebrated by the Meitei community but now the celebration has extended to other communities in Manipur. N Biren Singh also said the festival "promotes the feeling of peaceful co-existence and harmonious social life by reaffirming our faith in the traditional values of love and protection.”
Meanwhile, while addressing a grand Ningol Chakkouba christened as Eikhoigi Iche-Ichalsingbu Ningshingba Numit Ningol Chak-Kouba at the Iboyaima Sumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound in Imphal today, Manipur PWD minister, Th Biswajit Singh said peace will bring development to the society. He also said Manipur is a place where several communities reside together, "and development is possible only if there is peace."
Urging the people to be united, the Minister said "we can find peace only when we understand and respect each other." Minister Biswajit also greeted the women folk from more than 20 different communities attending the function and wished them joy and happiness.
The function was organised by the All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation along with the Naath Kanba Lup, Manipur State Shumang Leela Council and All Manipur Arts and Culture Students’ Union. Manipur Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Minister, Karam Shyam also attended the function. A feast was also organised as part of the function.
