Imphal (DIPR): Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Tuesday declared a two-day long 5th State level Hun Thadou Cultural Festival, 2023 open at Thomas Ground, Kangpokpi. Biren also released a souvenir in connection with the festival celebrated under the theme “Drug-Free Society”.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that the present government is people centric and it works under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas and One Earth, One Family, One Future.
During the last six years, the government has called for preservation of our identities and drug free society, he said, further highlighting that it is the present government which has built traditional huts of all 35 communities at the Sangai Ethnic Park in Moirang Khunou. This is recognition and respect from the government for the different communities residing together in the State, the Chief Minister added.
Manipur is made up of various communities residing together and this is the beauty of Manipur and the beauty of India, he said, hinting at the unity in diversity of the State.
Further highlighting that there are more than a lakh of drug abusers in the State, Biren said that he will continue to fight for total eradication of illegal drugs and stop poppy cultivation in the State.
He said that as the Chief Minister of the State his call is to stop illegal drugs business, poppy cultivation and deforestation.
He further stressed on steps being taken up in the State by the Government and highlighted schemes like CMHT and PMJAY. Biren added that during the last Cabinet meeting, the government decided to launch the Manipur One Family One Livelihood Scheme under which anyone from a family with no source of income can apply for a loan of Rs 10 lakh with 30 percent grant. An amount of Rs. 100 crore had been allocated in the budget for the same, he added
Biren also highlighted the need to screen illegal immigrants from entering the State, so that they don’t eat into the share of the indigenous communities.
He added that a Cabinet sub-committee has been formed with Minister Letpao Haokip as the Chairman along with Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai and Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar Singh to identify illegal immigrants who had fled from strife-torn Myanmar and to set up temporary shelter homes for them so that they can return back to their country again.
The Chief Minister further said that Thadou is one of the biggest communities and has lived in Manipur since ancient times. Biren also appreciated the All Manipur Christian Organisation for their declaration to fight against the drug menace and poppy cultivation in the State.
Further appealing to the people of Kangpokpi to take a pledge against illegal drugs and poppy cultivation, the Chief Minister said that the people will soon get to see some positive changes in the fight to eradicate drugs.
The Chief Minister also appealed to all communities of the State to live together unitedly and urged all to save and preserve the forest cover, screen illegal immigrants and stop poppy cultivation. Biren also lauded the organisers of the festival for celebrating the festival under the theme “Drug-Free Society.”
In her presidential speech, Minister Nemcha Kipgen said the Hun Festival is one of the biggest festivals of the Thadou community. During the festival celebrated at the start of a year, the community offers prayers for a fruitful year ahead, she added.
An important feature of this festival is that the young children pray before their grandparents seeking their blessings, she said. The Minister further highlighted that the theme of the festival is “Drug-Free Society” and to make our society drug free it is important to start from the children.
She further wished that the festival will take an important role in making the State a drug free society and bring more peace and unity among the communities of the State. On their arrival, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries were accorded a warm traditional welcome by the people of Kangpokpi. Traditional songs and dances mark the opening session of the festival.
The opening session was also attended by Minister Konthoujam Govindas, Minister Letpao Haokip, MLA Irengbam Nalini, MLA P Janghemlung Panmei, MLA Kimneo Haokip Hansing, DGP P Doungel, village chiefs, youth leaders among others.
