Brotherhood celebrated at Kangla

IMPHAL, October 30: The Kangla Religious Committee, Kangla observed the Mera Hou Chongba at Kangla also known as ‘Ariba Konung’ today.

The observation was attended by Chairman Hills Area Committee, Manipur Dr Chaltolien Amo, Parliamentary Secretary MI & IPR and member, Kangla Fort Board, Keisam Meghachandra and member, Kangla Fort Board, Prof Sairem Nilbir as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Dr Chaltonlin Amo in his address expressed that people of the hills led by their leaders come down to the valley on this auspicious day of Mera Houchongba to celebrate the age old love and brotherhood amongst the people.

He elaborated that the day was observed in a very colourful manner during the times of Maharaj Chandrakirti with people of all communities participating the celebration.

Hinting at the present law and order situation in the state today, he expressed that though Hou Chongba was observed without any fear in the past, today people of the state try to reach their homes before the sun goes down.

He also said that after the Anglo-Manipur war, the Mera Hou Chongba celebration was shifted to Sana Konung from the Kangla Fort.

Participation from the public during the Mera Hou Chongba celebration dwindled after the war, he continued before adding that it was only during the era of Maharaj Okendra that the observation of Mera Hou Chongba was regenerated and public participation increase again.

The Hills Area Committee, Chairman also expressed that the observation is supported and acknowledged by all communities residing in the state and as such the state government had recognised it as a state festival and announced the day as a state holiday.

He further viewed that the celebration could be observed in a much better way with more participation from the people of the state.

An important part of the festival, the tradition of Mera Chanoutangba- a feast shared by both the people of the hills and the valley waned out after the introduction of Hinduism in Manipur during the reign of King Pamheiba and the subsequent restriction on consumption of meat amongst the Hindus, he said.

He however added that people of both the hills and valley could still celebrate together and respecting each others’ religion.

He also viewed that the brotherhood relation between the hills and valley could improve if we adopt the culture of love and unity by abandoning the present culture of gifting bombs and drugs.