Ukhrul: In a significant move towards ushering eco-friendly environment and promoting tourism, Paorei village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, around 28 kms from Ukhrul headquarters celebrated the 1st edition of Cosmo flower festival on Friday with elan.
The villagers accorded warm reception to the visiting guests.
Addressing the public, Sanatomba Singh, advisor to minister Biswajit Singh lauded the Village Authority of Paorei for initiating the Cosmo festival which aims to bring attention to the village’s rich cultural and natural beauties. “It is also good to learn that this festival is aimed at promoting domestic tourism which will play a key role in enhancing the economy of the local people,” he stressed.
He expressed hope that the festival will grow and would be held in bigger manner in the coming years and assured of extending every possible assistance in achieving the same.
Responding to a memorandum submitted by the VA to minister Th Bishwajit for construction of a tourist house in the village, Sanatomba said that the village’s proposal is genuine and justified in the interest of promoting tourism. He then assured of conveying the needs of the village to the minister as well as the chief minister to the best of his capacity.
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As part of the festive entertainment, Felix Pheirei, blowed traditional trumpet, while Paorei Shanao Long, NLM English school and Nimzim enthralled the public with cultural display, choreography and special no.
Robust Pheirei, chairman Paorei village welcomed each and every one to the auspicious Cosmos festival and wished them a joyous occasion. “Like Cosmo that blooms beautifully, adorning the village in colour, let us work towards ushering a peaceful society,” he said.
He continue that four localities of the village have started conducting Cosmo competition where the locality that painstakingly grows the Cosmo were awarded. Our main objective was to make Paorei a Cosmo village through the intervention of state government and promote tourism, he said, and appealed the state government to support the village initiative.
Paothing Vashum, ex-executive member, ADC Ukhrul who attended as guest of honour said that in the years gone by, October is a month where youth celebrate glory day with pomp and gaiety. While celebrating dignity of youth, we also take up various youth oriented activities. Flowers are associated with youth.
Raingam PA to minister Biswajit; Suranjoy Singh, SDO Ukhrul, Nabakishore Sharma, Co-ordinator Art and Culture Manipur, Sulvia Adaphro Mrs Asia Pacific 2019, Wungnaongam Horam, headman Phungcham, Paorei, Varangarai, neighbouring villages and scores of visitors and dignitaries attended the event.
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Nobert Khayi, joint electricity regulatory commission also a member of MSPDCL and guest of honour of the occasion stated that the beauty of Cosmo signifies peace, harmony and unity. “If we are to bring holistic development, we have to shape and promote youth and give due importance to education.”
Moderated by Zikia Khaleng, Paorei village secretary, the programme began with prayer announced by Revd. Jonah M Solo, local pastor.
The one day festival also saw evening extravaganza where artists including Oshimwo, Thangmeiso Shanglai, Jeanpui Kamei and SP Shonshon entertained the public with their special hits.
Paorei village is a greater part of Phungcham village, considered to be the oldest village in Ukhrul district is flanked by Longpi and Lunghar village in the east; Peh in the north, Ukhrul and Halang in the south and Talui in the west, according to Paorei village authority.
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According to the oral history of Phungcham, a Longnao (group of people) migrated from Makhel village and rested at Longsam (resting place for Longnao) and disperse at Mount Longathan (dispersing point). The term Phungcham means old settlement in Tangkhul dialect. It is evident in the name of the village itself and various historical places that the Tangkhuls who migrated from Makhel, people dispersed from this village to their present settlements.
Shimreishang and Maitomphi (Ashang and Aton) the protagonist in the famous Tangkhul romantic folk tale were from this village. The epic love story of Shimreishang and Maitonphi has typical tragic ending with the later being married off to the son of Halang village chief in secret. Shimreishang was grief stricken and died after getting the chance to bid goodbye to Maitonphi. Maitonphi also died shortly after. However, substantiating the Tangkhuls belief of life after death, the two lovers are believed to be re-united in the afterlife called as Kazeiram in Tangkhul dialect. Lengthui, a legendary prankster whose adventures exist as folk tales among the Tangkhuls also hails from Phungcham. Today, the village is well known in the district for its scenic beauty and the significance of its contribution to the history and folk culture of the Tangkhuls.
Cosmo bloom in the first week of October having eight pedals in four colours.
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