Now Reading: Manipur celebrates Mera Houchongba 2023 signifying brotherly bond between communities
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Manipur celebrates Mera Houchongba 2023 signifying brotherly bond between communities
Imphal: “If we don’t protect our land, preserve our own culture and traditions, no one will come to protect and preserve them”, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh, stressing the significance of observing cultural events like Mera Houchongba. The Chief Minister was speaking as the Chief Guest of the State level Mera Houchongba 2023 observation at Kangla on Saturday afternoon.
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Stressing its uniqueness and importance, N Biren said Mera Houchongba, was turned into a state-level celebration in 2017, recognising that there is no other event that celebrates the inextricable and strong bond between the people of the hills and the valley and that could unify the people more. N Biren also stressed the steps taken to bring unity in the State and the discussions with historians and cultural
experts from different communities. He highlighted that the government, after proper consultation with cultural experts and elders, had removed the Kaabak from the Kangla Shas, closed the Western Gate and opened the Eastern Gate of Kangla. He also said that the present situation is very unfortunate, and added that for the government it is an obligation to protect and guard the indigenous communities residing together in the State. The Chief Minister said schemes like Go to Hills and Go to Village were launched to understand and act upon the requirements of the people from the interior parts of the State. He added that the State government had produced a white paper on the allocation of budgets for the hills in 2021-22.
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Further explaining the need to show politeness and courtesy in behaviour or speech towards each other to strengthen the bond between people, the Chief Minister said today the people has largely realised that we cannot live separately. The Chief Minister also explained the ecological imbalance which is affecting the environment and stressed that the government just wants to preserve and protect the Reserved Forest areas. He said the government is not trying to evict the people from their villages. N Biren concluded his speech with a prayer for the Mera Houchongba to bring peace in the State and for all communities to live together in peace.
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The Chief Minister released a souvenir on the occasion. Other highlights included performances by various cultural and traditional troupes from different communities. Gifts were also exchanged, signifying the bond of brotherhood between the different communities of the State. Chief Minister N Biren exchanged gifts with K.Gongrisim, Ningthou Thangal Surung. DK Mothilphun Maring, 81, Chief of Konaltong Village, Tengnoupal District received the Khongleihanba AS Wungnaioyo Zimik Mera Houchongba Award, 2023. Ministers Y Khemchand, Konthoujam Govindas, Dr Sapam Ranjan, H.Dingo, Th. Basantakumar, Khashim Vashum, MP Rajya Sabha Maharaja Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs Irengbam Nalini, Leishiyo Keishing, Sapam Kunjakeswor, Lourembam Rameshwor, Th Shanti, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, village chiefs, village authorities, cultural experts and others attended the event organised by State level Organising Committee on Mera Houchongba 2023.
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M. Luikham
Without prejudice and malice I would like to share my thoughts on the celebration of Mera Houchongba with impressive August attendance and fanfare. This flaunted bonhomie of brotherhood between the hill dwellers and valley dwellers have been given much focus and patronage by the State in recent years. But I would tell you to ask yourself with utmost sincerity how enduring and deep this bonhomie of brotherhood will be in this time of tumultuous events and uncertainty. The time we live in are manifestations of innumerable iniquities, prejudices, discrimination, intolerance and injustice perpetrated over decades and beyond. This are troubling times because of you look hard enough, the signs of Machiavellian ism is discernable. One can sense excessive force, brutality, insensitivity and intolerance by law enforcement agencies in dealing with protest and demonstrations. Freedom of expression is often curtailed and at times harsh punitive action taken by slapping UAPA. Digressing a little, prominent politicians such as Vladamir Putin, Margaret Thacher, Indira Gandhi, etc are said to be machiavellian in statecraft. A few prominent politicians of India may likely have this not so relishing distinction. The need of the hour is understanding ourselves. How sincere, truthful, When apologetic and open minded we are. ” Happy are the people who have no history ” is a quote which I recall many years ago. To me, history is like a field with hidden traps and mines. One has to carefully tread to cross the hazardous field. Findings and perceptions of historical narrative can have similarities and dissimilarities. When there are disagreements about narratives manifesting in public outrage and odious behavior, bigotry takes the stage. Even when there are factual evidences with corroborative accounts, it is hard to conclude the infallibility of historical accounts. A few years ago, Romila Thapar a eminent historian and other like minded eminent historians had vehemently objected to rewriting of Indian history minimising the influence of foreign ideas, philosophy, architecture and culture (muslim) because history has to be written as it had happened. Rewriting history to suit the nuances and preference of a singular community is fraught with bigotry, undermining social values of secularism and tolerance. The ramification of such distortion of historical narrative will be far reaching and become perpetuation of a B Lie for all future generation. Therefore this question – how factual, accurate, consistent and encompassing is the history of our land. History written by non locals and foreigners, perhaps inspite of the lack of incisiveness and structured approach is worth reading. Think again, symbolism of any celebration will be superficial unless the inequalities and disparities in matters of electoral representation local governance, infrastructure, education and health of the hill brother vis- a- vis valley brothers are addressed.