Gaan-Ngai greetings

IMPHAL, Jan 14 : Governor La Ganesan and Chief Minister N Biren Singh led in greeting the people of Manipur on the occasion of Gaan-Ngai.
In a message to the people of Manipur, especially the Zeliangrong brethren, the Governor said 'Gaan Ngai' is the festival of winter season for paying obeisance and homage to those departed souls who left this temporal world in the year before.
The festival also symbolizes bidding adieu to the old year gone by and heralding a New Year full of hope and aspiration, he added. The Governor added that the festival has become a major cultural event of not only the Zeliangrong community but of other communities as well.
In his message to the people, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said  'Gaan Ngai' is the biggest cultural and religious post harvest festival of the Zeliangrong community. During the festival, the community offer thanksgiving to Tingkao Ragwang (Supreme God) for the good harvest and pray for wellbeing in the coming year, added the message.
Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Y Khemchand also extended wishes for 'Gaan Ngai'. In his message to the people, the Speaker prayed for prosperity, wealth, peace, unity and love with the coming of 'Gaan Ngai'.
The Indigenous People's Association of Kangleipak (IPAK) also wished the people of the State on the occasion of 'Gaan Ngai'.