A walkathon spreading the message of the 6th Singju Festival to begin from December 28 was held on Monday.
The walkathon was flagged off by Dr Kh Hillary, founder of RM School Kwakeithel at 8 am from the holy place of Hiyangthang goddess. The RM School is a partner of the 6th Singju Festival.
The walkathon reached Marjing Polo Comlex Heingang where the festival will be conducted.
The walkers were received warmly by presenting with garlands by festival committee chief convenor L Boby, advisors Konjengbam Jayanta, Naoroibam Khamba Luwang, Keke Wahengbam, Convenor Rakesh Naorem, co-convenor Sobita Maibam, Boinao Maibam and members of Ibudhou Marjing Khubam Kanba Lup and others.
Flagging off the walkathon, Dr Hillary stated that besides Singju is an indiginous food item gifted by our forefathers since time immemorial, it is also closely related with ritual culture of Meiteis.
Singju symbloises unity. We should promote Singju and also support the festival, he said and pleaded all the cultural organisations of both hill and valley, meetei pangal to show their valuable cultural items at the 12-day long event startign 11.30 am on December 28.
Keke Wahengbam, Advisory board member of the festival committee, taking part at the flagg off event, expressed his encouragement to Johnson and Sunita for their courage. A developed and peaceful Manipur can be brought only when our youths come forward without any fear and participate in such an unity promoting event, he maintained.
Everybody has a great role in preserving and promoting our rich culture, tradition and feature, we should join hands to promote Singju, he said.
On the occasion, Rakesh Naorem, Convenor, Festival committee stated that the Singju festival message bearing walkathon was conducted aimed at the youths to keep themselves away from illegal drugs and other intoxicated items and live a healthy life.
Rakesh informed that on Tuesday, at least 10 mothers who sold Singju for a long time will be honoured by presenting them with a winter gift each.
Moreover, as a promotional event of the festival, a solo cycle rally to spread the message of Singju Festival will also be organised on December 21. Solo walker Manikanta Mutum will ride in the said rally and it will be kick-started from our sacred and historical place Kheba Hillock, Khongjom, Thoubal district and will conclude at Ibudhou Marjing Polo Comlex Heingang. Wangjing-Tentha AC MLA Paonam Brojen will flagg off the solo cycle rally at 8 am onwards, Rakesh announced and requested one and all to support the 6th Singju Festival.
It may be mentioned here that Festival Committee Advisory Board members Keke Wahengbam, Convenor Rakesh Naorem, Finance Secretary Waikhom Bihari, Assistant Finance Secretary Kunjeshwor Mangsatabam, Media Co-ordinator Ojit Sorokhaibam and Executive Members P. Rajendro and Boinao Maibam and others also took part at the flagging off event.
