A one-day discussion on the topic ‘Umang Laigi Laipungda Laipung Kanaba Khanaba’ was held on Friday at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal, during which certain resolutions were unanimously taken for maintaining responsibilities by following certain traditional norms during Lai Haraoba festival.
The resolutions included starting of the Lai Haraoba festival from the first day or full moon of Ingen (lunar month) while it was also resolved that the remaining should be decided by the respective Lai Haraoba organising committees.
The respective institutions related to Lai Haraoba need to be promoted, said Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba while attending as the chief guest.
He said, Meitei community seems to be strong and happy from outside but it is becoming vulnerable. With the increasing number of non-locals in Manipur, demographic changes in Manipur are becoming visible, he said.
The Meitei community has started following the culture of family planning and therefore, the population of the community has started decreasing. Manipur was being protected by the forefathers of the community, he further said.
If the population of the community becomes less, then the territorial integrity will be affected automatically, said Leishemba.
A gathering place is needed to avoid miscommunication among the Meitei community, he said. During the Lai Haraoba festival, the community gets a chance to gather among themselves. It is hard to gather and discuss constructive ideas after the festival, he mentioned.
If a gathering place for the Meitei community where people can gather weekly to discuss constructive ideas and thoughts is set up, then the community could be more strengthened, he added.
