Imphal, Feb 20 NNN: The 64th Zomi Nam Ni (Zomi National Day) was celebrated at Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre (Boat) in Imphal on Monday with colorful cultural events of traditional dances performed by six cultural troupes from different parts of the State which was organized by State level Zomi Nam Ni celebration committee 2012.
Chief Minster Okram Ibobi Singh, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam, tribal minister, MLAs, ADC chairmen and members and Power/ Horticulture and Sceince and Technology Minister, Phungzathang Tonsing attended the celebration as chief guest, function president, guests of honour and chief host respectively.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said, “We must promote and preserve our beautiful rich culture, tradition and heritage and we must work hard so that we are not divided on the line of religion.
Ibobi Singh also lauded the Zomi people for being able to keep their culture and heritage intact for a long time and even during the British rule.
“The 2012 edition of the State level Zomi Nam Ni celebration is also being celebrated in different towns and cities of the world like Singapore, Kualalumpur, Tokyo, Wangshiton DC, London, Vancouver (Canada), Chiangmai, Kalemyui, Mandalay, Tedim, Rangoon, Delhi, Shillong, Chennai, Bangolore, etc.,” L.B. Sona, chairman, Zomi Council said in his keynote address.
He said the Zomi, like many other communities want peace and development and added, “We aspire to develop according to our genius and the Zomi of this State dream of a “glowing Manipur” and that such dream can only be realized once the different communities of the 38 recognized tribes living in the State learn to understand and appreciate each other’s unique culture, custom, tradition, past history and aspiration.
The Zomi Youth Association submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibibi Singh to impress upon the State Government to declare the February 20 as one of the State’s official holidays, Sona reminded the gathering.
Noted folk singer, Guru Rewben Mashangva, Zomi Artistes’ Association and many famous singers from Mizoram presented different melodious songs at the event as guest artistes and in the meantime Hmar cultural dance, Kabui cultural dance, Mizo cultural dance,
Thadou cultural dance, Tangkhul cultural dance and other Zomi tribe’s cultural dance were also prformed.
Zomi Nam Ni is celebrated by the Zomi tribe every year to commemorate the end of colonialism and imperialism and to mark the liberation of Zoland.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/zomi-nation-day-observed-let-us-live-together-cm/
