MBC Centre Church celebrates Ningol Chakkouba with valley tribal women

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 9: Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) Centre Church Imphal welcomed tribal women, who are married to Meiteis, to a grand Ningol Chakkouba celebration today.
The 18th Ningol Chakkouba celebration was held at the complex of MBC Centre Church with Mission Department Manipur Baptist Convention organising the event. Tribal women of different communities took part in the celebration.
Speaking on the sideline of the event, Alani Shongsir, Mission secretary, Manipur Baptist Convention said as tribal women married to Meiteis are left out of the festival as their paternal homes have no Ningol Chakkouba festival as per their tradition and custom, the event was organised to compensate the void. "The celebration aims at showering love and affection to the women and renew the bonds between all communities," Alani said.
"Ningol Chakkouba is a beautiful aged celebration of love between brothers and sisters. May this celebration brings peace and prosperity. MBC Centre Church believes this celebration will renew and strengthen relationship between all communities in Manipur," he Alani said.
MBC Centre Church Imphal former women chairperson Sanyaola Raman expressed happiness as the event gave the tribal women a chance to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba. She urged all the women to thrive for peace.
During the celebration, a 55 year-old, Sorensangbam Ongbi Shanti Devi (Adin Newmai), married to S Nabakumar of Haobam Marak Irom Leikai, recited a poem which captivated the hearts of the gathering.
"Tamgi eyumsu khambi meihoure, Chinggi epaamsu khambi meihoure, Chingme ningol oibi eidi pukning leitapham khangdre, Eikhoi mashelgi marakta engthaba purakpiyu, Eikhoi mashelgi marakta nungsiba purakpiyu, He Eshwar nahakna thoujanbiyu...." these lines of her poem touched the hearts of all present.
Shanti alias Adin Newmai married to Nabakumar in 1984 and now she has four grandchildren.
The women present were presented gifts as token of love. MBC Centre Church Pastor Rev Zuankamang Daimai performed prayers for peace.