A low profile Naga seed sowing festival, Lui-Ngai-Ni was observed at Sanyi Dahrii Sports Complex, Karong on Monday. The program was organised by Naga People’s Organisation (NPO) under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC) and was graced by Leishiyo Keishing, Chairman, Hill Areas Committee (HAC) as the Special Guest.
This year, the festival is celebrated under the theme “Shared Future.”
Unlike the past years, the celebration of Lui-Ngai-Ni this year was celebrated at different hill districts at low profile following SOP due to Covid pandemic.
In his keynote, S. Kho John, President, United Naga Council (UNC) stated that the seed sowing festival is celebrated by all Naga tribes almost simultaneously on this onset of spring signifying the arrival of season for sowing of seeds.
During this festival, the Gods are invoked for blessing of the seed to give bounteous harvest that would ensure the general well being of the people. The blessing of the Almighty God is beseeched with expression through folktale, folk songs, dances and rituals. The festival is profoundly observed in reminiscence of the olden day’s agricultural lives and spiritual faith of the forefathers to the creator, he mentioned. While observing this day, the President urged to remember the pioneers for consolidating the concept/idea of the festival, the depth of studies and consultation they had put into and christened Lui-ngai-ni in the year, 1986 and formally organised and celebrated in 1987 on February 15 which generally used to celebrate every year under the aegis of the UNC.
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Speaking as a special guest, Leishiyo Keishing, Chairman, Hill Area Committee (HAC) called the festival is an inspiration to all which is the main reason that people are still together in spite of all odds, difficulties, all resistance from all quarters and every nook and corner that made him happy to see people gathering this way. Seeds had already been sown by the ancestors as nationhood. All nations carry their unique identity.
Francis Ngajokpa, former Minister and Paul Leo, former UNC President brought greetings during the program.
The program was attended by a galaxy of dignitaries including the United Naga Council (UNC), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), Naga Women’s Union (NWU), Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), ex ADC members, Naga People’s Organization (NPO), Senapati District Students Association (SDSA), Senapati District Women’s Association (SDWA), tribe Presidents and other invitees.
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