Senapati, Dec 13: The 3rd State Level Barak Festival, 2022 was inaugurated by Th. Biswajit, Minister, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Power, Agri, Science & Technology as the chief guest, Govindas Konthoujam, Minister, PWD, Youth Affairs & Sports as the functional President and J. Kumo Sha, MLA, 47-Karong AC as the host of the festival respectively.
Celebrated under the motto, “Save mother Earth,” Senapati district DC, Mahesh Chaudhari, IAS stated that the festival is organized after a gap of two years due to pandemic. The DC while welcoming everyone wished the festival to be a grand one by asking everyone to enjoy.
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Solomon Arow, President, Naga People’s Organization in his keynote stated that Barak River is the “Nile of Manipur” and the gift of Mother Earth which originates from the lofty hills of Liyai village, Senapati district. It flows along Manipur-Nagalnd border along hilly terrains and enters into Assam and Bangladesh. The Barak River is called the second richest River in the northeast India in terms of biodiversity as it is the home to more than 2000 aquatic species. People in the region being agrarian depend on the water bodies of Barak for agricultural and other activities. The various aquatic species found in the river’s ecosystem also provides the people with a source of income. Celebrating the Barak Festival, 2022 under the motto, “Save mother earth” and with the theme, “Celebrating Endowment,” the NPO President urged all to realize the necessity of adopting and nurturing collective consciousness, love and protect nature and realize the necessity of Barak River for the wellbeing and survival of the region.
Works and YAS Minister, Govindas Konthoujam in his speech stated that human being cannot live without water who pointed the need to protect and preserve it. Human civilization starts with river adding how important the rivers are. Barak River is rightly called as the “Nile of Manipur” which originates from the district. Everyone is responsible to protect and preserve so as to let the river survive. The minister further mentioned the ill effects when the river water dries up from the region.
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Speaking as the chief guest, Minister Biswajit Singh stated that peace has restored in the state with the efforts and communication of the state Govt which the minister called as the biggest achievements. Manipur is a beautiful region with beautiful biodiversity as the state falls under the Myanmar diversity and Himalayan range diversity. The River Barak is very important part of the biodiversity who also urged the need to preserve it. The previous festival was celebrated under the theme, “Sustaining peace and harmony.” The objective of the motto of the current year celebration is to protect the environment and keeping the Barak River clean. While the forest department and environment department are taking all steps to protect and preserve forest and environment, the minister sought the cooperation of all to achieve the dream of saving the nature.
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Later part of the program continued with Traditional Car Race for 4 wheeler and 3 wheeler respectively. The Zeliangrong tribe bagged the first, Mao tribe in the second and Thangal tribe the third position in the 4 wheeler traditional car race. Mao tribe bagged the first position, Thangal in the second and Zeliangrong in the third position in the 3 wheeler traditional car race. Best traditional car design was awarded to the Poumai tribe in 3 wheeler traditional car race and Thangal tribe bagged the best traditional car design for 4 wheeler.
The guests were accorded a warm traditional welcome to the celebrating hall. Different traditional songs and dances were presented during the program. The evening program would continue with Barak Rock Concert featuring local, state and national artists.
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