TMB Correspondent
Kangpokpi: The biggest cultural festival of the Thadou tribe, Hun 2023 culminated in style with former Miss Universe, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu as a showstopper for International designer Robert Naorem at Brig. M. Thomas ground, Kangpokpi.
Significantly, the 5th state-level Hun 2023 was the first celebration of Thadou’s biggest cultural festival after it was declared a restricted holiday by the incumbent BJP Government of Manipur.
The two-day-long event at Kangpokpi District Headquarters witnessed two Union Ministers, namely, Arjun Munda, Union Cabinet Minister for Tribal Affairs, and Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education apart from the state Governor Ansuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, and many other Ministers and MLAs attending the auspicious occasion.
Various Thadou folk dances, songs, and music, handloom and handicrafts, indigenous games and sports, tastes of Thadou cuisines, Thadou traditional attire, Thadou modern songs, Mister and Miss Thadou contest were held during the two-day event.
The presence of former Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu as a showstopper and the Mister and Miss contest apart from the Thadou indigenous games and sports were the main attraction of the people.
The closing ceremony which is also the sixth session of the event was attended by RD&PR and MAHUD Minister Yumnam Khemchand as chief guest while PHED/CAF&PD Minister L. Susindro Meitei alias Yaima and Saitu MLA Haokholet Kipgen attended as the Guest of Honour and Functional President respectively.
MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha, who is the Chairman of Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, MLA Sagolsem Kebi, who is also the Chairperson of Manipur State Women Development Corporation Limited, Chandel AC MLA, SS. Olish and Saikul AC MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing attended the event as special guests apart from the Textiles, Commerce, Industry and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen and various other senior bureaucrats of the state.
Minister Yumnam Khemchand who was accompanied by his better half in his short address to the mammoth crowd said that tonight we are more enthusiastic about the entertainment so I would not shorten my speech by saying that our culture is our identity.
Minister L. Susindro Meitei alias Yaima steals the hearts of thousands of people with his rocking performance by singing a famous Manipuri song, “Leplone Nangna” with a renowned Manipuri singer Uttam on the stage. The minister was later joined by Minister Nemcha Kipgen, MLA Olish, and others on the stage.
Adorning with Thadou traditional attire with a touch of Manipuri handloom, former Miss Universe Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu walked the ramp as a showstopper for well-acclaimed designer Robert Naorem with a host of modelers displaying the well-designed different handloom products of a renowned fashion designer Robert Naorem.
The former Miss Universe while interacting with a host of media at El-Shaddai, the blessed home before her show said that the respect among the women of Manipur, the pure hearts of the people, the handloom and its weavers, and the heritage of Manipur make me so impressed.
“I am truly impressed by the Ema Market as it is purely run by the women (mothers) of the state, which shows how women are respected in the state of Manipur”, said the former Miss Universe.
She also said that the people of Manipur are so kind, loving, and pure heart which really impressed me.
Harnaaz Kaur Shandhu also thanked Robert Naorem, the international designer for giving her the opportunity to perform at the Hun festival as a showstopper to support the Thadou community of the state and also to promote the state Handloom and its weavers.
She further said that she also got the opportunity to learn so many beautiful things about Manipur which she could bring back at her home.
Paomonsang Khongsai and Daisy Kimdeihoi Doungel, both from Vengthah Ward No.3, Kangpokpi won the Mister and Miss Thadou coveted title bagging a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh each.
While Lenminthang and Seigunthang Misao bagged the first and second runners of Mister Thadou, Nengthenkim and Nengchamkim bagged the first and second runners of Miss Thadou.
The subtitle award of Best Physique, Best Costume, Mr. Active, Mr. Congeniality, and Mr. Photogenic in the Mister Thadou contest was bagged by Dominic Paolallom, Haominlun, Letkhoson, Paolenhao, and Haolunthang Misao respectively.
In the Miss Thadou contest, the subtitles award such as Miss Photogenic, Miss Congeniality, Miss Active, Best Catwalk, and Best Costume were bagged by Melody Tinngaineng, Lhaineilhing, Jennifer, Chonghoikim, and Lhingneihoi respectively.
