Manipur Governor La Ganesan, Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Textiles Minister Nemcha Kipgen conveyed warm greetings and wishes to the people of Manipur, particularly the Zeliangrong community on the auspicious occasion of Gaan Ngai festival.
In his message, La Ganesan stated that the Zeliangrong community celebrates Gaan Ngai festival which is the ‘Festival of Winter Season’ for paying obeisance and homage to those departed souls who left this temporal world the year before. The festival also symbolises bidding adieu to the old year gone by and heralding a New Year, full of hope and aspiration, it stated.
“I am also happy to know that one positive development of this year is that the festival along with its religious fervour has become a major cultural event of not only the Zeliangrong community but of other communities as well,” it added.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh also conveyed his greetings in his message which stated Gaan Ngai, the biggest cultural and religious post-harvest festival of the Zeliangrong Community marks the end of the year and the farmers have stored their foodgrain in their granaries. “The festival also marks the heralding of the New Year and new fire is produced by rubbing of dry wood and split bamboo pieces and distributed to every household. During the festival, the community shows their gratitude with offerings to the almighty for the good harvest and prayer for a better and prosperous life in the coming year,” he added.
Textile Minister Nemcha Kipgen extended her wishes by stating that the Chakaan Gaan Ngai festival is the most colourful ritual festival of Kabui/Rongmei. In her message, she stated that the festival is the time of expression of artistic talents and physical strength through martial arts, dance and music. Gaan-Ngai promotes the spirit of brotherhood, peace, happiness and prosperity for all the people of Manipur, she added.
