Call for preserving one's identity rings out on Gaan-Ngai

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 2 : The State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration 2026 was conducted with merriment at Chingmeirong village in Imphal East on January 1.
Organised by the State Level Gaan-Ngai Celebration Committee Manipur, the main highlights of the celebration included the offering of holy wine to Supreme God Tingkao Ragwang, shouting of Hoi (invocation of God), extraction of sacred fire, lighting of the festival torch by chief guest Th Satyabrata Singh, Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly and special Kabui songs and dance numbers.
Other notable dignitaries present at the Gaan-Ngai celebration were Th Arunkumar Singh, MLA, Wangkhei AC; Poucharei Longmei, retd Executive Engineer, PHED and president TRCP Ragailong and RK Dayananda, Additional District Magistrate, Imphal East as the presidium members.
Addressing the gathering, Th Satyabrata conveyed Gaan-Ngai wishes to the people of Manipur, especially the Kabui community.
Pushing for preservation of one's indigenous identity, he stated that no one can erase it if people stay true to their identity and its preservation.
Calling for trust and love between different communities, he expressed hope that the Gaan-Ngai festival will bring prosperity and happiness for Manipur.
Meanwhile, Th Arunkumar maintained that a society that has abandoned its own culture and traditions is comparable to a dead society.
Manipur's identity is made up of the numerous communities that reside in its lands and practise their indigenous customs, ways of life and religions. If these traditions are neglected or abandoned, the future generations might lose their identity, said the Wangkhei AC MLA.
He further urged the youth to adopt the ideals of Kabui leader Haipou Jadonang and follow in the footsteps of the courageous Rani Gaidinliu.
Pushing for preservation of all traditions left behind by forefathers of different communities in Manipur, he said abandoning them would be akin to stabbing oneself in the leg.