2007 MISS KUT PARTICIPANTS

It was a good Kut

By Donn Morgan Kipgen


The Kut-2007, held at the 1st MR Ground, did turn out to be a good Kut. Thanks to all the Kutters, organisers and beautiful young ladies, both the day and night programmes were watched and enjoyed by the distinguished Guests, the media boys and other special invitees. It was really worth participating in since it took off smoothly, cruised along with colourful manoeuvres and successfully landed on time as scheduled by the hardcharging State Level Kut Committee.

With the unceremonious last minute cancellation of the night’s programme last year and the ever confusing ‘Yes-No’ by various UG militant outfits, the fate, future and credibility of the most auspicious CHIKIMS’ Kut festival were at stake; but, fortunately like the famous British 8th Army, the Kut Committee admirably had the last word against all odds. When one prepares to stay committed, one should stay committed honourably and stand steadfastly- there is no such thing as half measure.

The success of Kut-2007 has to be credited with the performers, Kut-ters and the distinguished guests too since they are the ones who came to make it successful!

The vibrant Kut festival is actually a symbol of unity, integrity and understanding, it’s for all and sundries. The fact that Kut- 2007 was staged successfully is an indication that it had come to stay. Since lots of tips, suggestions, advices, etc for much better future Kut celebrations had been made by both distinguished guests and senior media persons, it would be much better if all those suggestions be made in written form to the State Level Kut Committee directly. Success is all about unity and understanding.

When it comes to Kut committee, there is no designation nor official status and hence one can approach them directly should there be any favourable suggestions since the Kut is there for all and to be observed by all. It is an open forum. It is most unfortunate and highly undesirable that some Kuki Mothers’ organisations tried to ‘ban’ the Kut celebration in high security Imphal area. As of this ground situation, if the State Level Kut festival is held at some hill-areas, there would be a coup d’etat and counter-coup procession at the stage, or even a real fireworks between rival UG militant outfits to ‘dominate’ the Kut celebration. It would really be hard for the Miss Kut contestants to walk around with bullet-proof vests!

Even though the Kuki Artistes Assn (KAAM) boycotted the Kut-2007 for a very much debatable reason, the musical entertainments were quite lively and watchable. The most unexpectedly entertaining musical performance was presented by a school boy named Hitangshu Sarmah, the son of Brig BC Sarmah, DIGAR, 27th Sector, Churachandpur area. Three of those ‘father-son’ composed English songs were far much better than those pirated songs howled and groa-ned by long-haired local street rockers. Real talents and originality always pay. Master Hitangshu Sarmah could go a long way up if he keeps up his good performance. It was a pleasure to witness all round colourful display of songs and dances by almost all cultural troupes of the CHIKIMS society. The spirit of socio-cultural unity shown to the whole world at the Kut festival is always a matter of pride and honour. Apart from the chief guests and guests of honour, it was heartening to see the eager presence of Mr & Mrs (Brig) Kayastha, DIGAR 9th Sector; Mrs S Gupta, wife of Colonel-General Staff Officer, HQ IGAR(S); Mr & Mrs (Brig) BC Sarmah, DIGAR, 27th Sector; Mr Gill, DIG (Ops) CRPF, LGC, among others who graced Kut-2007 to make it a grand success. It would be highly desirable if both the IGAR(S) and the GOC, 57th Mtn Div, be invited as Special Guests of Honour the next time around. And it would certainly not do any harm if the Kut Committee specially invite all the most prominent members of all sections of society as a sign of social bond.

The absence of anti-social elements on Kut-2007 was an achievement by itself since the call for ‘No Intoxicant’ was honoured in good spirit. The dryness of it was compensated by brief heavy raining. It’s everybody guest who the hardest hit party were in this ‘no intoxicant’ dry Kut! They had to take the abundant spirit of the Kut festival itself as an abstract alternative. They have to lead by example to show that it can be done high and dry.

This year’s beauty contestants were lookable and some did look pretty. One Mr Karthik (Indian Express) was right in saying that Miss Congeniality, i.e Miss Kimboi Vaiphei, was quite beautiful and charming. It is unfortunate that such beautiful lady like Miss Kimboi Vaiphei did not get what was expected of her, hard luck, shall we say? Well, there’s always next time and new opportunity. But then, all the judges are human beings and as such everybody has his own taste, perception, judgment, style and ideas. At present, the most important thing is the preservation of the CHIKIMS socio-cultural heritages for generations to come through his precious Kut festival for all the years to come. Any person or NGO who tries to discredit the Kut festival is an anti-CHIKIMS. Period.

Li, Li, Li, Ho-Ho-Ho!


The Sangai Express

Covert Dialogues in Politics

By : B. A. Sharma/IFP

The fictitious political atmosphere of Indian Democracy is superseding the analysis of cricket match, with the third umpire soiree, after the match is over, which been defeated. In like manner, the impinging dialogues in the parliament sessions, and aftermath; the party spokespersons tried to filter the filthy exchanges, like alum loaded down the dross particles at the bottom of the vessel, in the water. But, the issue of nuke deal is pulling elongate time and the audience is humming in the crowds of billions, without positive decision.

There is a clear outlook of the deal as it is guided by USA, under the vested interest of the Congress chunks. Moreover, the covert impinging dialogues in between Congress and Left parties in the Manmohan led UPA Govt. seems consuming prolong time by pulling out layer of meets with its allied parties, with intention to cover up the monsoon session, the next year; so that, UPA could complete the tenure, could be enjoying the allied parties in full length. The people of the nation have drooped into the sagacity, even been impediment to economic growth. Furthermore, the inebriated political pontiffs in UPA Govt. have forgotten the responsibilities to be destined the public services, but engulfed into the selfish deal in politics.

The allied UPA Parliamentarians are witnessing, but could not assimilate a new trend rising in Indian politics. The Value of parliamentary democracy is deviating by the new tradition orienting in Congress. The Party President of the ruling Govt. became supreme in the administration, as the Gen. Secretary of the Communist Party do; which is new tradition but harmful to the parliamentary form of Govt. When Smt. Sonia Gandhi’s succession as President of AICC. Shri L.K. Advani has predicted that; the party President is lowering the position of the Prime Minister, is now righteously appearing. Smt. Sonia Gandhi became branded Ambassador in all political affairs of the Country. She is all in all in UPA Govt. and above the Prime Minister. Left parties are adhered to proceed on the policy and programmes of the Congress leadership. Sonia is also the Chief agent for the nuclear deal, with the strictures endorsed by USA. Whereas, the left alliance is showing by covert dialogues but full of vested interest buried.

It is true that UPA Govt. has no free hand deal, acknowledged to the public about the outcome consensus in the parliament. Trying to maintain a secret table deal, which normally a deal has to table in the parliament for open consensus. What an ineffable strictures of USA is in the deal. No one is aware of the deal except Congress which is horrible, by which convert behavior has muffled the solitude of the administration.

On the other hand Honourable Prime Minister claimed the deal is on the right foot, besides blaming the parties other than Congress are not allowing the Country to footage untoward progress. Rather, he tried to conceal his weakness, in turn he tried to convey the message of his Party President to the parliamentarians, which is unfortunate to the nation. Further, the sand grinding speech of the Congress Supremo Smt. Sonia Gandhi is more unoccasional.

A BJP delegation led by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Prime Minister and predecessor of Shri Manmohan Singh with his associate Shri Jaswant Singh, Yaswant Sinha, the former External Affairs Ministers and existing Party President, Shri Rajnath Singh have discussed with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in regard of the Indo-US Nuke deal on 26.10.2007. During the two hours meet have not been allayed completely. Though it is true that BJP has no distrust to Prime Minister in this context, subject to go through the text of the draft agreement. Further Congress tried to assure that the agreement would have no impact on own weapon programme and three stage nuclear programme of fuel have been taken care of; Shri Sinha asserted. Shri Sinha who called the meeting consensus-building on the frozen agreement said his party would examine the text, when it is made public, in context of the US 1954 Atomic Energy ACT and the Hyde Act. However, he expressed his doubt about the language of the text for its interpretation thereof.

On the other hand, in context of the Nuke deal the statement of the former U.S. Secy. of State Henry Kissinger is showing his outbreaking language of bargaining the Indo-US Nuke deal with the India’s Permanent Membership in U.N.S.C. (United Nation Security Council). Because the treaty in between Manmohan Govt. and Bush Govt. will push back the strategy of George W. Bush, if failed to implement the treaty.

On the eve of the German Chancellor Angela Markel’s visit to India, the visit of Special Envoy of India Shri Shyam Saran to German speaks the following:

1. German is NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) member therefore has asked India to sign CTBT and FMCT (Fissile Materials Cutoff Treaty) before he initiative of the deal.

2. Also India has to step more, to strengthen non-proliferation system but German is worrying. Because NSG has to reform the rules if deal being entered.

3. German has been reluctant to support the Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal, because, such initiatives might harm to non-proliferation system.

4. Germany Ambassador Bernd Muetzelberg expressed to mindset when the parameters of the treaty being discussed. Also Angela Markel asserted her opinion to take more time. Further she advocated that India should be given access to nuclear fuel and technology for peaceful uses of energy, but in the way that does not effect the NPT system.

Which of the position of the national status, being country of a Parliamentary democracy BJP, Manipur Pradesh has deep concern about the future of the Country. The arguments over the Nuke deal, eventualities of the tussles with the policy; the analysis brought forwarded, awaiting since prolonged time has shown the weakest Govt. under the dictate of the aboard countries, where to be coated the verse of Angela Markel, Chancellor of German, underlined above. BJP has the programme, but not like concealed behavior. BJP, Manipur Pradesh claimed that Manmohan led UPA Govt. has legerdemained the people in the dark for the sake of the benefit of the limited chunks. BJP worried for such dilogy in the deal.
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(The writer is the media in-charge BJP, Manipur)

Source: The Imphal Free Press

Vision 2020 hearing ignores civil society leaders

IMPHAL, Nov 2: The ‘public hearing’ on the Vision 2020 for the North Eastern Region document, held today at the State Guest House, Imphal, proved to be a sore disappointment for civil society leaders and interested members of the public who went to attend, as most of them were not given an opportunity to be heard.

The hearing, organised by the state planning department in association with the North Eastern Council proved to be almost entirely a government one, with mostly government officials turning up to participate, and those few representatives of civil society organisations and members of the public who were there not being given any chance to air their opinions or make representations on the Vision 2020 document on the excuse of lack of time, thereby leaving most of the latter fuming and angrily questioning the public nature of the ‘public’ hearing.

The hearing was formally opened by chief minister O Ibobi Singh who (rather ironically, given the outcome) urged all present to take the opportunity of the hearing to make sure that their opinions and views are incorporated in the Vision 2020 document, which he pointed out, is given the highest significance by the ministry for DONER as a roadmap to bring peace, progress and prosperity to the north eastern region.

Ibobi also wondered how and when the Vision 2020 would be implemented, pointing out that though it has been some years since the Look East Policy was initiated, it has had little impact in Manipur.

Ibobi in his address, also cited disadvantages of roads and connectivity infrastructure as one of the reasons for the state not being able to make greater strides in terms of development.

Stating that the state government has been pressuring the Central authorities in this connection, he disclosed that night landing facilities will soon be installed at Imphal airport so as to improve the state’s connectivity.

After the opening, senior economist Dr. Gautam Naresh, of the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi, which framed the draft Vision 2020 document, made a lengthy exposition on the document, thereby taking up much of the time meant for the hearing.

In the technical sessions that followed, only the government officials who attended were able to give their opinions, after which things were quickly wrapped up because of paucity of time.

The Imphal Free Press

Bu Vui Laitah | Lunghel Huoi .....

Source: e-pao

NIT AND CHANCES SQUANDERED

-Thangkhanlal Ngaihte


That there is a deep divide between the ‘hill people’ and the ‘plain people’ in Manipur is well understood, or is at least, undeniable. The plain people, the Meiteis, became obsessed with the state’s ‘territorial integrity’ since around the year 2000. The extension of the ceasefire between the NSCN (IM) and the Central government ‘without territorial limits’ raised the issue to fever pitch and we are familiar with whatever happened at Imphal subsequently.

Every demand and voice of dissent from the hills came to be looked upon with suspicion and with the preconceived notion that these demands are all attempts to break away from the state. The hill people, comprised of various tribal communities, on the other hand, feels neglected, suffocated and discriminated within the state in all spheres. That the state, and the predominant community, seemed intent on suppressing or suffocating all the demands, many of which are legitimate, instead of listening and accommodating them, accentuated the feeling of alienation.

Much of the reasons for this alienation are political. But, one very visible grudge the hill people always hold against the state is in regard to the ‘over-concentration’ of infrastructural projects and institutions (including those relating solely to tribal affairs) in the Imphal valley. Imphal is home to the Manipur University, Central Agriculture University (CAU), Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), JN Hospital etc apart from all key government offices while the hill districts did not have even one institution of renown. While the capital city and its suburbs are well endowed in terms of civic and health amenities and sports facilities, including a full-fledged stadium, the state’s second town, Lamka, did not even have a proper football field. All it has is a ‘public ground’, where all events ranging from republic day parades to musical concerts to football tournaments are held. A ‘peace ground’ was recently constructed at Tuibuong, but the disparity is all too palpable.

When the government first proposed to set up CAU in the state, there were demands that it be located in the hill districts. Major institutions like this are believed to bring with them collateral benefits to the area. When the state hosted the National Games in 1999, there was expectation that some of the sporting events will be hosted in district towns other than Imphal. After all, as many as 27 sports events were played during the tournament. But these expectations were never realized.

This naturally leads to disaffection. The skewed picture, development-wise, of the hills and plains may not yet have been such a polarizing factor had the inter-community relations in the state been not so bad. In a situation in which the hill tribals do not identify themselves–ethnically, socially and religiously–with the state’s dominant community and structure and felt left out in all spheres, the mismatch is all the more telling. And becomes more explosive.

Under such a circumstance, it seems fair to expect that the government would be accommodative of the hills’ demands and would bend over backwards to assuage their hurt feelings. After all, it ought to be interested, most of all, in preserving the state’s famed ‘integrity’. Demands for better representation and a more proportionate share in the development pie are integrative in nature. It is a demand to be accepted, to be part of the mainstream and integrate within it. But not all people apparent saw it that way.

Take the case of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) proposed to be set up in Manipur. This was part of the package promised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Manipur in December 2006. As the central government okayed the project, whose construction cost was pegged at around Rs 35 cr, the state government started looking for its suitable location. Naturally, it prefers the plains over the hills, citing security reasons and administrative convenience. It somehow, comes to the conclusion that Imphal is the most peaceful part of the state. And naturally, demands came from the hills that the institution be housed, for a change, in the hill districts. Out of the 20 NITs scattered all over the country (they are earlier called RECs), 14 are not in state capital cities but regional towns. Only 6 are in state capitals. This was not an accident, but a deliberate policy because part of the aim of NITs is to bring about regional development.

Ibobi Singh and the wisemen around him must have known these simple facts. But they just cannot lift their gaze up beyond the Imphal plains. A peculiar situation arose, however, when the locals of all the 3 or 4 localities in the Imphal valley where the government want to locate the Institute vehemently opposed it, as it will encroach on fertile lands and settlements. The locals of all the proposed sites–Kyamgei, Lilong and Lamphelpat/Langol–organized strikes, set up committees and pleaded with the government to locate it somewhere else.

In the meanwhile, the proposed Institute has provoked another round of agitation in the hills, due to the opposite reason. The people of Lamka (CCpur district headquarters), the state’s second town and situated 60 kms to the south of Imphal, have organized bandhs and strikes demanding that the Institute be set up in the district. The Churachandpur District Students Union (CDSU) said that they had already identified at least two possible sites for the Institute. An online signature campaign, spearheaded by people from the district living outside the state, is also on to press the government to locate the Institute in Lamka.

But the state government, inexplicably, remained unmoved. The state cabinet, last Wednesday, approved the revenue department’s proposal on rates in which the land for the Institute will be acquired, at Langol.

So, this is what’s happening. The institute is being denied to those who welcome and demand it; and is being forced down on those who don’t want it. In the process, Ibobi Singh and his friends achieved a rare feat of antagonizing both the parties, as The Imphal Free Press put it.

The Ibobi Singh government was presented with a golden opportunity to assuage the feelings of alienation pervasive in the hills without it having to exert itself, and defanged some of the anti-state campaigns in the process. But it has already squandered that chance. Instead, it helped provide yet another powerful rallying point to all those disintegrative forces who claim all the time that ‘Manipur is Imphal’ and the hill districts, ‘outer Manipur’. For starters, it was none other than the sitting Tipaimukh MLA, Ngursanglur who cited the NIT episode in Lamka last week to highlight the step-motherly treatment of the hills by the state government. More are on the way, and the government has nothing, but itself to blame for it.


Source: www.zogam.com

CCPUR DISTRICT GOSPEL CENTENARY CELEBRATION ELECTED OFFICE BEARERS & DEPARTMENT SECRETARIES

The following is a list of Members and Conveners set up for the preparation of Gospel Centenary Celebration in 2010. This list is prepared according to the names submitted by their respective Church executive heads.


Chairman : Elder Prof. L. S. Gangte,
Vice Principal
Churachandpur Government College

Vice Chairman : Rev. Dr. Luaichinthang,
Director, Ministries,
Evangelical Baptist Convention.

Secretary : Rev. Lalrosiem Songate,
General Director
Evangelical Congregational Church of India.

Asst. Secretary : Rev. Vanmmawia
Sr. Executive Secretary
Manipur Presbyterian Church Synod.

Fin. Secretary : Rev. Thangkhopao
Finance Director
Evangelical Organization Church (ECCI).

Treasurer : Rev. Saithanglur Joute
Secretary Development
Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Information Secretary : Rev. Dr. H.S. Hatzaw
Secretary, M & E
Chin Baptist Association

Department of Publication

Convener
Rev. Vanmawia.

T. Chinzakhup
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Mr. Lamthiengin
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

K. Paukhansuan
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Upa Nang Sian Pau Suante
Chin Baptist Association

Upa Suankhanmang
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Shri T. Kamkhanlian
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pu L. Howpu
Gangte Baptist Association

Rev. G. K. Siema
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Rev. Robert H. Vaiphei
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

Upa K. Laldawngliana
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Rev. Lalhmuoklien
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Capt .Chhuanliana
Salvation Army

Pastor Hranghmingthang Varte
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Pastor H. Thiansong
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

Pastor Lamkhochinlal
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Mr. L.C.Kima
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Rev. K. Neihsial
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Rev.S. T. Kaia
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

Department of Finance

Convener

Rev. Fimchawnthang

Pu T. Gouzalal
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Mr. S. Hentinlien
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

H. Shinzalam
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Sianu Thangpui
Chin Baptist Association

Upa Chinkham
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Mrs.Vuvung
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pastor T.C. Goupi
Gangte Baptist Association

Rev. Khamkhokhai
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Rev. Thangkhopao
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

Upa Lalramhluna
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Rev. T. Lalhmunmawi
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Pu M.S. Dawngliana
Salvation Army

Mr. Selthangvel Selate
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Rev. T. L.Dousel
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

Th. Thangchinlal
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Rev. Tlanghmingthang
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Rev. Laltingen
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Upa Vungminthang
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

Department of Publicity

Convener

Rev. Dr. Ginkhanmung Zou
Executive Secretary, Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Upa Chinzahau
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Evan L. Minthang
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

H. Jemkhanthang
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Sia H. Kham Suan Lun
Chin Baptist Association

Upa Sianzahau
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Rev. Jangkholun Mangte
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pu Khailalmang
Gangte Baptist Association

Elder Demmang Haokip
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Evan Thianneilal
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

Upa Vanlalrinliana
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Rev.Lalkhamlien
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Pu Lalfakzuala
Salvation Army

Pastor Lalthlunglien
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Pastor Dalchin Tonsing
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

Th. Pumzakham
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Mr. Joel Songate
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Mr. Nenglalthamuan
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Upa S. T. Liana
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

Department of Construction & Transport

Convener: Rev. K. Jama Vaiphei

Pu Suankhothawng
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Mr. Letkhokam
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

H. Vungzamang
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Upa Zam Khua Cin
Chin Baptist Association

Upa Khamchinzam
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Evan Khamsuanmung
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pu S. T. Solomon
Gangte Baptist Association

Pu D. Khaipao Haokip
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Mr. Pauben
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

Upa P. C. Thangchhuana
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Mr. Simon L. Hrangchal
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Pu K. Lalbiaksanga
Salvation Army

Rev.Varlienthang
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Pastor K. Ginzalian
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

L. Paozamung
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Mr. Ngulthakhum
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Mr. S. Lamneithang
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Upa Thiankhomang
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

Department of Music

Convener

Rev. T. Janglhun Haokip

Rev. Hausuankap
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Rev. G. S. Gangte
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

N.Ginzakham
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Upa Pau Za Cin
Chin Baptist Association

Rev. P. C. Manga
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Rev. Khaikhanthang
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pu H. Kailalmuon
Gangte Baptist Association

Rev. Ngulzathang
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Mr.Ginlalsang
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

T. Upa B.Lalramsanga
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Mr. Laltlansang
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Mr. Barjohn
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Deacon V. Nunlian
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

S. Biaklal
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Mr. Joel Vanlalhrat
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Mr. Genlallian
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Rev.B.Lala
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

Department of Prayer & Hospitality

Rev. Khamchinkhai
Rev. Thanglienkham
Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church

Miss Chinbawi
Evangelical Synod Church/ECCI

Thiankhanmuan
Evangelical Baptist Convention

Sianu Nuam Lam Cing
Chin Baptist Association

Rev. H. Nengzatun
Zou Presbyterian Church Synod

Mrs. Ginngaihching
Thangkhal Bible Church

Pu H. Songgo
Gangte Baptist Association

Rev. D. Jangkholam
Evangelical Churches Association/ECCI

Upa Zamlal Vaiphei
Evangelical Organization Church/ECCI

Upa S. Vanlalruala
Tuithaphai Presbytery

Pastor Roparlien
Evangelical Assembly Church/ECCI

Capt. Laldawngliana
Salvation Army

Pastor Ngurrolawm
Reformed Presbyterian Church

Elder Langkhanpau Guite
Presbyterian Church in India (Reformed)

Th. Lianzahau
New Testament Baptist Churches Association

Elder Lalropui
Wesleyan Methodist Church, East India.

Rev. Khupneithang
Evangelical Organization Church (P)

Rev. H. L. Vena
Khuga Sadar Presbytery

KUT FEST SHINES ALL OVER MANIPUR STATE

The 2007 "Miss Kut" winner - Ranchan M (Center), First Runner up - Anoushka Sharma (Right) and Second Runner up - T Sitlou lining up for the victory pose on Nov 1, 2007.

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IMPHAL, Nov 1: The biggest harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo-Zomi communities, KUT was celebrated along with tradi- tional fervour and gaiety all over the State today.

The main celebration was organised under the aegis of State Level KUT Committee at Ist Bn Manipur Rifles ground here.

Presentation of cultural dances and folk songs, special numbers by popular singers, speeches on the significance and essence of celebrating KUT were the main highlights of the morning session of the cele- bration inaugurated by Go-vernor Dr SS Sidhu as chief guest along with releasing of balloons attached with a banner inscribed with ‘KUT, 2007’.

Rev Dr Hawlngam Haokip rendered the opening prayer of the session which was followed by sounding of KUT trumpet, observing one minute silence in memory of departed KUT leaders and introduction of KUT- Pa of the year.

In his address as KUT-Pa of the year, former Minister Holkholet Khong-sai wished that the celebration may strengthen the bond of unity among the people and instil the spirit of tolerance and goodwill in all.

Explaining the significance of celebrating KUT festival, Holkholet said among the three KUT festivals being celebrated by Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi people, namely Cha- wang KUT, Chaphou KUT and Nim KUT since time immemorial, the biggest and the most important one is Chawang Kut, which was celebrated today as thanks giving to Almighty God for bumper harvest and his abundant blessing throughout the year.

Beginning his speech with KUT Chivai (traditional KUT greeting), Governor Dr SS Sidhu hoped that the festival would be celebrated in its true spirit and help in strengthening the age-old glorious tradition of peaceful co-exist- ence among various ethnic groups of people living in Manipur. KUT festival is now not only an important social and cultural heritage of Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi people but also of all the people in the State. That is why the day has been officially declared as a gazette holiday by the State Govern- ment, he said, adding that KUT has indeed become a State festival, a festival of joy, peace and prosperity.

Besides, releasing a souvenir at the occasion, Dr Sidhu also donated a sum of Rs 50,000 to the organisers of the State Level KUT Committee.

Tribal Development Minister DD Thaisii, who attended the celebration as guest of honour, exhorted all to join hands and work together in the true spirit of celebrating KUT together.

Minister of PHE, IPR & Tourism TN Haokip presided over the morning session of the celebration.

In the evening session, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and YAS Minister N Biren graced the occasion as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In his address, the Chief Minister called upon the people for praying to God together for ushering in peace and harmony in the State while celebrating KUT festival in the spirit of camaraderie

In recognition of the significance of KUT, the State Government has declared holiday on KUT day so that everybody can participate in the celebration, he aid.

The Chief Minister also donated a sum of Rs 1 lakh to the State Level Kut Committee.

Ministers Phungzathang Tonsing and TN Haokip also donated a sum of Rs 50,000 each to the organising committee. Apart from other entertainment programmes, the main attraction of the celebration in the evening session was the Miss Kut Contest, 2007.

Our Jiribam correspondent adds: The district level KUT festival was celebrated at Kaimai, Tamenglong district today. DC Tamenglong T Pamei; president of Kuki Inpi, Tamenglong Thongsei and SDO Tousem Ditanang Pamei were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the celebration marked by traditional dances, songs, beauty contest among other entertainment programmes.

Source: Picture - e-pao.net; artcles - the sangai express

Rantanmawi | Miss Kut 2007

Winners of the Miss Kut contest from (left to right) 2nd runners up Tingneivah Sitlhou, Miss Kut 2007 Ramtanmawi and 1st runners up Laimayum Anuska Sharma. The beauty pageant was held Thursday at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground in Imphal.

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Gala events mark Kut observation


IMPHAL, Nov 1: 24-year old, Rantanmawi of Churachandpur was crowned Miss Kut 2007 tonight at around 11 pm, culminating day-long Chavang Kut celebrations today at the 1st Manipur Rifles grounds.

Laimayum Anuska Sharma, 17, of Nagamapal Laimayum Leirak, and Tingneiuah Sitlhou, 20 were crowned first and second runners-up in the pageant, the highlight of the Kut celebrations, the biggest harvesting festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes.

The title winner took home a cheque of Rs. 50,000 while the first and second runners-up won cash awards of Rs. 35,000 and Rs. 25,000 respectively.

The beauty pageant, culminating a day-long cultural extravaganza, began later than scheduled because of an unexpected shower in the early evening. Apart from the pageant itself, the evening’s celebration was enlivened by a variety of song and dance performances by several young artistes before an audience numbering in the thousands.

Chief minister O Ibobi Singh was present for the early part of the evening’s celebration and donated a sum of Rs. 1 lakh to the organisers.

Among the 33 contestants, first runners-up Anuska Sharma won the Miss Catwalk, while Miss Beautiful Eyes title went to Mashuma Qureshi, Miss Congeniality title to Kimboi Vaiphei, Miss Photogenic to Olivia Huidrom, Miss Beautiful Smile to Savina Oinam and Miss Beautiful Hair to Phoireikim.

Earlier, the Kut celebrations began at around 10:30 am the morning, with Governor of Manipur Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu in attendance as chief guest and former minister Holkholet Khongsai acting as Kut Pa.

A day-long cultural extravaganza, cutting across community lines, followed after the Governor formally opened the functioning by formally releasing a multitude of colourful balloons.

Folk and traditional dances performed by cultural troupes of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes and other communities were interspersed with modern music numbers performed by up-and-coming artists in the day’s programme, culminating in the highly popular Miss Kut beauty pageant in the evening.

Chantoi Chongom, vice president AMESCO and ST Susa, social worker were also feted as Kut personalities of the year for 2007.

The Governor, in his address at the gathering, observed that the Kut festival symbolizes compassion, gaiety and gratefulness. It occupies a uique position not only for the Kuki-Chin-Mizo people, but amongst all as it carries an appeal to reason and to heart. In the celebration of Kut, the edifice of oneness and friendship get strengthened, he said.

The Governor, who also released a souvenir published on the occasion, contributed a sum of Rs. 50,000 to the organising committee.

Tribal development minister DD Thaisii, in his address at the morning’s function, stressed the basic unity of all communities living in Manipur which is reaffirmed by the Kut festival, and urged all to bury their antagonisms.

IPR minister TN Haokip, several other MLAs and top police and civil officials were present at the morning’s function.

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Kut tradition and modernity

IMPHAL, Nov 1: The Chavang Kut, a festival of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group once again brought together all the different tribes of the group on a single platform in a most harmonious environment today.

It seems that the traditional structure of the festival which is closely related with harvesting has changed but the theme of the traditional event is still preserved as Holkhmang Haokip in his vote of thanks at the celebration said, “We are one.” This festival will bring together all as one, not only the Chin-Kuki-Mizo but also Meiteis and Nagas in Manipur.

However, it is sad to observe that the people who observe Kut as their grandest festival can not really use it for promoting the desired goal of bringing back unity and fraternity amongst the one-time united ethnic group, many writers on Kut have said in their write-ups.

It is not exactly known when and where the festival started but it is believed that Kut is one of the earliest known festivals recorded as one Pu ‘Chongja’ performed before he left for ‘Chunggam’ and is ‘Chon’, a kind of feasting over an accomplishment, Ngamkhohao Haokip said in his article “Kut: Its essence and significance.”

Therefore, in its primitiveness lies its traditional values, the unexplored side of which the younger generation needs to unearth and harness to foster fraternity and unity among the Kut-celebrating-people, he writes.

Kut as a traditional celebration: Firstly, Kut is Kut. There are not any names that can befittingly take the place of Kut. It is a word common to all Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups of people.

Kut implies nothing less than traditional celebration of joyfulness over the bountiful harvests.

Kut is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. Since the very beginning this festival has been variously described at different places amongst different tribes as Chavang-Kut or Khodou etc.

The people celebrate this festival as a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is bountiful after a year of hard labour. They enjoy feasts with songs and dances in merriment and joviality for all, in honour of the giver of an abundant harvest.

In short, Kut is a festival, primarily to remember the creator God and to give thanks to him for his abundant blessings. All sections of people whether rich or poor enjoy themselves on such occasions forgetting all their anxieties and worries on this day.

Traditionally, Kut day is a day that is eagerly awaited by those debtors to the village or to any individuals for on this day their burdens of debts are written-off.

In addition, all kinds of unsettled cases like fights, disputes and the likes are settled for peace. It is indeed a day of peace and harmony in the village that is celebrating Kut, writers have said.

In due course of time, Kut of today is progressing toward being less inviting in its style and significance to the people who celebrate it, but on the other hand, Kut has become a celebration of nothingness for non-celebrators, anti-traditionalists, many observe.

Now items like fashion show, beauty contests have been added which have assumed not only regional significance but also an international significance in the sense that its impact is no more confined to the state alone.

It is pertinent to mention that on the ground that adding of the fashion show, beauty contests has affected the traditional structure of the Kut festival, militants outfit serve diktat to ban these items and the organizers have suspended this item in the last two consecutive years.

But this year, the militants lifted the diktat and once again added the items to the observation.

Source: The Imphal Free Press

KUT CHIBAI | Kut greetings pour in | Collection of Kut related articles

KUT PRESENTATION

kut chibai
A VERY WARM KUT GREETINGS FROM THE TEAM OF ZOKUOMTHAWN AND ITS DOMINANT LINKS

GREETINGS FROM OTHERS

IMPHAL, Oct 31: On the occasion of Kut festival, MPCC president Gai-khangam has extended his best wishes to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups.

Gaikhangam wished that the Kut festival may bring peace, harmony and prosperity to the State.

IG AR (S) Maj Gen BK Chengapa and all ranks of Assam Rifles greeting the people on the occasion of Kut festival wished joy, happiness and prosperity for the CHIKIMS in particular and all other tribals in the days to come.

The AMSU has also greeted the people of Manipur, particularly the Chin-Kuki-Mizo group on the occasion of Kut.

On the occasion, AMSU prayed that all the hardships and miseries of the land may end with the arrival of Kut festival.

Extending its best wishes to the people, particularly of Chin-Kuki-Mizo group on the occasion of Kut festival, the Thadou Students’ Association (TSA) has appealed to all to shun violence, hatred, enmity and to work together towards peace, unity and development.

The United Committee Manipur has also extended its warmest greetings to the people on the occasion of Chavang Kut.

The United Naga Council (UNC) and Lok Sabha MP from Outer Parliamentary Constituency of Manipur Mani Charenamei have greeted the Chin-Kuki-Zomi community on the auspicious occasion of the Chavang Kut festivals.

UNC while terming the Chavang Kut as one of the greatest festivals of all times, has prayed that the message of love, peace and fraternity shall prevail throughout to ensure the bliss of life amongst all the communities of the state by bringing mutual understanding.

Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei while giving his greetings to the people of the Chin-Kuki-Zomi community on the Chavang Kut celebration, has said that let love, peace and prosperity reign among the people.

Mani Charenamei also prayed that happiness and joy should be with the Chin-Kuki-Zomi community with the coming of the Chavang Kut festival of the community.

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Kut fest to fan out to dists from ‘08

IMPHAL, Oct 31 : The Centre Committee of the Kuki Women Union, Manipur has decided that the State level Kut festival will never be celebrated at Imphal from next year due to many inconveniences faced by the Kuki people.

In a statement, Rose Manshi Haokip on behalf of the KWUM said that due to financial constraints, many villagers are deprived of participating in the State level festival and to address this, Chavang Kut shall be celebrated at district levels from next year, adopting the basic principals of custom, culture and tradition of the Kukis.

The KWUM has also extended its warmest gree- tings to all Kutters of Kuki-Chin-Mizos and added that Kut is a secular and liberal festival of Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities. The main significance of Kut is peace, unity, integrity and fraternity among the Kuki-Chin-Mizos.

The KWUM has also appealed to the Government to release the Kukis from custody so that they may take part in the festival as well as not to harass young Kuki boys and girls who come to Imphal from flung areas to participate in the festival.

Special treatment should be extended to the youngsters, said KWUM and added that Kutters should not indulge in anything that harm others and the festival.

The statement further said that despite the various oppositions, the State Level Kut Committee should carry on this year’s programme as scheduled.

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Kut and its people

By: Sominthang Doungel *

There is it group of people who have never been able to find out their nomenclature by which they can collectively identify themselves as an ethnic group.

Prior to 1937 these people lived in Indo-Burma.

However, in 1937 Burma was separated from India and the people living in Chin-hills and upper Chindwin have gone to Burma. Again in 1971 Chittagong Hill Tracts have gone to Bangladesh.

Thus, these people have been scattered into three different Independent countries creating a lot of predicaments for communications and personal contacts from one country to another.

Gradually some of these ethnic groups lost their identity and tend to identify themselves with their neighbouring group who influenced them either politically or through their religious and social activities.

A bulk of their population is found in the Chin State of Burma while other members are dispersing in Manipur, Tripura, Bangladesh, Assam and Mizoram.

The tribes found in some parts of North-East India like Manipur. Tripura were called Kuki by the Enling their cognate tribes found in Burma were called Chin and those found in Mizoram, Assam, Bangladesh and Bengal were called Lushai. So, they became Kuki, Chin and Lushai.

However the different tribes or clans inhabiting the entire perimeter of the present Mizoram have completely succeeded in disowning the term Kuki, Chin and Lushai and have adopted an inborn word Zomi commonly known as Mizo.

These ethnic groups were given various names by the people with whom they are living together by observing their demeanor and way of living.

No common name exist till to-day which can comprise all these Kuki-Chin Tribes, mainly due to lack of centralized authority-an authority that could unify and integrate all the group into a well knit nation. These group of people are not eager in forming a sub-nation.

Instead, they prefer to be identified individually by the name of their specific tribes. These ethnic groups are divided into clans. Most of the tribes are now Christian.

Before they were imbued with Christian faith, they were worshipping various spirits, the spirit dwelling in different places like the precipice, water, woods rocks etc.

About 95% of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo have now professed Christianity. They have therefore discarded many of their customs and tradition. Yet, they still retain the majority of their customs and practices which are not contradictory to their new faith. These Chin-Kuki-Mizo people loved social intercourse and bustles, and accordingly.

Kut is a common feature of their social life but not because of its pomposity, merriment and gaiety of the celebration, but because of its religious aspects. Kut is a festival, primarily to remember the creator God and to give thanks to him for his abundant blessings.

One of their cultural heritages which they eagerly looked forward to is Kuts because all sections of people whether rich or poor enjoyed themselves on such occasions forgetting all their anxieties and worries.

There were three kinds of Kuts, though their exact origin were lost in oblivion. They are, Mim Kut, Pawal Kut, and Chapchar or Chapphou Kut.

Mim Kut : Mim Kut was said to be the oldest of the three. It derived its name form a plant called Mim the grain of which is eaten. This Mim Kut was held in honour of the dead and was also known as "Thitin" meaning "Departure of the dead spirit".

The Chin-Kuki-Mizo people believed that the spirit of the dead frequented its home for 3 Lunar months immediately after death. The origin of Mim Kut is connected with a couple who fell in love and got married.

But soon after the wife died. The husband lacked sufficient emotional, Psychological or spiritual resources for bearing the trauma of the sudden death of his beloved wife and wept and wept.

One day while weeping he fell into a state of trance and said to have visited "Mithikho", where he met his beloved wife but found her famished.

When the husband enquired about the reason she replied that she could not procure enough food to eat, and implored her husband to go back and collect maize, cucumber, vegetable etc., from the Jhum and make offering to her so that she might get foods to eat to her satisfaction.

The husband did everything as told. After some months the husband was again in a state of trance. This time he saw his wife fat and stout. When he asked the reason his wife told him that she became stout and lovely because of the offerings he made for her.

After recovering from his trance, he told his friends all what had happened in his trance. It is said that from that time onwards offerings to the dead became a common practice.

During Mim Kut, fresh vegetables, maize and bread prepared from sticky rice (Changman) were offered to the spirit of the dead persons of their respective families. This kut was also known as "feast of weeping".

Normally it lasted for three days during which "Zu" country made liquor were served and songs were sung. Mim Kut is usually observed at the time of germination of maize, millet, cucumber and other green vegetables so as to celebrate the coming of fresh and vegetables.

Pawl Kut: Pawl means "Straw" hence pawl kut means kut held soon after the harvest. Some people hod the view that it originated with the catching of pawl Zu or Zu pawl (rats) found in heap of straw.

Others connect it to the famine which visited them for three consecutive years.

When they were in the Kabaw Vallley (Myanmar) on the fourth year, when they were relieved of the disaster their chief suggested to his Upas (village elders) that they should prepare a public feast, in which all the people might enjoy meal to their heart's content.

This was agreed and public feast was arranged by killing fowls, pigs and goats. Thus, the pawl kut came into existence.

Chapchar Kut : Chapchar Kut is a festival observed in the intervening period between the felling of trees for Jhum and the burning of Jhum. The Chin-Kuki-Mizo people usually went for hunting to celebrate the occasion.

While the Chief and Upas engaged themselves in preparing Zu to last the feast. Every family of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo also prepared Zu to cover the whole feast which usually lasted for about a week.

The Chapphou or Chapchar Kut was usually held in the jhum field. The felling of trees and bamboos for jhum cultivations were normally carried out during the month of January every year and left for drying to be burnt subsequently in the month of March of the year.

Drinking feasting, dancing etc are usually performed during the short leisure period available to them. The three kuts however today cannot be celebrated in its own due season due to the change of time, belief and style of the social life of the people.

Thus the three kuts had been merged into one called Chavang Kut (Autumn festival) for the sake of convenience, which is celebrated on 1st November every year.

The Chavang Kut is the only traditional institutions which bring together all the different tribes of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo on a single platform in a most harmonious environment. It is one of the festivals identified by the Central Government and it has introduced a new elements of going with the modem times.

Attractive items like Fashion Show. Beauty contests have been added. The Chavang Kut has now assumed not only a regional significance but also an international significance in the sense that its impact is no more confined to the state alone.

Kut is a pride for the Chin-Kuki-Mizo and is a means through which the outside World could identify who they are.

It should also be on the anvil of the organisers to make attempts to bring outside journalists as well as TV, Net Works like Zee TV so that wide publicity is given to Kut and that the rich cultural heritages of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribe could be exposed.

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Sominthang Doungel wrote this article for The Sangai Express . This article was webcasted on November 17th, 2006
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Kut: Its essence and significance

By: Ngamkhohao Haokip *

Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins, it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols. — Thomas Mann

The onset of autumn has once again heralded Kut time. While preparation for Kut-celebration is going on in full swing, it is hope that occasional opinion like this may have its positive significance in celebration of Kut.

Origin: It is not exactly known when and where did the Kukis (in their undivided sense) started celebrating Kut as a post harvesting celebration.

However believes are that they have inherited it from their ancestors, whose progenitors are possibly, as believed by some scholars, the descendants of Manasseh, one of the lost tribes of Israel. The second theory is that they began to celebrate it while reigning in Burma, especially in the Chindwin valley region.

One of the earliest known feastings in record is the one Pu 'Chongja' performed before he left for 'Chunggam' which is rather recorded as 'Chon' a kind of feasting over an accomplishment.

Whatsoever it might have been as to its genesis, it is undoubtedly very clear that Kut is one of the oldest inherited traditional festivities of the Kukis.

Therefore, in its oldness lies its traditional values wherein smear the unexplored side of it which younger generation needs to unearth and harness the intrinsic values that can definitely foster fraternity and unity among the Kut-celebrating-people.

Kut as a traditional celebration: Firstly, Kut is Kut. There are not any names that can befittingly take the place of Kut. It is a word common to all Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups of people.

All this groups of people equally gives importance to Kut. Besides, it being one of the most important Kuts of the Kutte family, it has undoubtedly become the most accommodative festival of our state Manipur.

Moreover, Kut of today has also progressed toward being less inviting in its style and significance to the people who celebrates it, but on the other hand, Kut became a celebration of nothingness for non-celebrators, anti-traditionalists.

In essence, Kut implies nothing less than traditional celebration of joyfulness over the bountiful harvests. Here, the word 'tradition' has connotative intent.

Things of the far past that are handed down to the succeeding generation should bear to us non-simplistic social behaviour that cannot be denied in the course of our struggle for social survival. Sans that characteristic learning, the worthiness of remembering the undying past would prove futile.

Breaking with tradition of Kut in its celebration will do more harm that the celebration itself in the present ways and methods of wrongful glorification.

By inheritance, either the village chief with the lift given by his council of minister - 'Semang-Pachong' or the Priest - 'Thempu' initiates the magnification of year-end collection of the fruitations of labour.

After satisfying himself that harvesting along the village is over and that, there is no epidemic neither in the village nor in the neighbouring villages, which can dwindle the festive mood of the people, the village chief, in consultation and with knowledge of his council of ministers and the Thempu would ask the village 'Crier' to announce the arrival of Kut and that every villagers should prepare for the same.

The interests of the aged, young, widows, widowers, and orphans are not in the least of importance in the celebration. Any quantity of harvest and whatever amounts of contributions are made for the celebration is considered bountiful in the sense of the celebration.

The distinctiveness or singularity of Kut lies in the fact that routine (customary) barriers, but not the kind of customary barriers that we hope to get the license for preventive pronouncements of the village Priest relating to sacrifices and other encumbrances that are believed to have definite expediencies are untroubled on Kut day.

By chanting, the Priest invoked the Supreme God - 'Chung Pathen' for his blessings upon the villagers and for all humankind. The Thempu also chants for all kinds of prowess for the villagers.

Not only these, Kut day is a day that is eagerly waited for by those debtors to the village or to any individuals for on this day their burdens of debts are written-off of their shoulders.

In addition, all kinds of unsettled cases like fights, disputes and the likes are settled for peace. It is indeed a day of peace and harmony in the village that is celebrating Kut.

Traditional Kut is also an annual session of village assembly wherein members of the Chief's Council if necessary, are scrutinised according to their yearlong performances thereby enabling the village council to drop any unaccountable members. In that process, better and honest, say competent, members are put to the council of the chief.

It is in this assembly that programmes, policies and plans concerning the village, including agriculture, water, forestry, health and customs are discussed.

Moreover, sometimes-even matters of inter-village relations are tabled for discussion. Tradition has that the occupations of each individuals is taken into account while featuring the welfare and developmental issues of the village.

Kut tradition v/s modernism: It is needless to repeat saying that Kut is a long-established event of the 'Eimi' society. It's attractiveness and its binding force among the people were so enchanting and peaceful that lobbying for its recognition as a state festival was readily consented to by the State Government.

However, it is sad to observe that the people who have Kut, as their grandest festival could not really use it for promoting the desire goal of bringing back unity and fraternity amongst the one-time united ethnic group.

The convention of Kut celebration, as pointed out above, is bringing together all and sundry at the same level of festivity and equality in the fostering of love, closeness and perhaps, all the social cohesions desirous of any civil society. This is the virtue that our Government, especially in democratic society today, likes to cultivate as a long-term purpose of all efforts.

Unlike the Kukis, conversely, in today's world different ethnic groups seems to have revived their attachment to their traditional ways of life so as to foresee a ray of hope of cementing on a stronger basis their common goals by such a step that is also appearing to be coming into the light of the day.

The Kut-people, in their effort to strengthen their bone of oneness did felt the need to preserve the culture of Kut as far back in 1980s. Those leaders, it is believed, were more or less convinced that socialization of Kut can proved worth doing in view of the then prevailing wave of balkanising the unified Kukis on the theory of divide-and-rule policy.

Later on, it became less local and its celebration became wide spread. But as time passed and when the reign of control of Kut celebration shifted mainly to the so-called politicians and bureaucrats, the custom of it being a social forum was swiftly changed to become more a political forum.

The ideals of the revived initiators for social platform for bringing about social change for good future became marred till today and in its stead comes what not. Now, it has been transmuted as a platform for canvassing and propagation of one's ego and all kinds of social evils.

What Kut should and should not be: It is not apropos unhappiness on its being recognised as a state festival coming together with financial assistance either from the State Government or particularly from tourism department, but the fact remains as to why Kut is a festival for celebration.

Not at any time was it a celebration of English fluency and it were never an observation of half-naked materialistic skins of beauty with an objective view as object of lust.

Kut is also neither a Christian conference despite the fact that it is, to a greater extend, a ritualistic and religious one.

To the taste of subscribers of neo-modernism, if one likes it, Kut can be a celebration of achievements like the recent recognition of Kom dialect as one of the Kut-people's dialect.

Similarly, gold medallist MC Mary Kom, and other such achievements, can be equally fittingly featured as part of Kut celebration. Her achievement can be called up to date or modernism.

In the traditional games of Kut wrestling used to be an exclusive game for the man. This turning is modernism in the little true sense of the term.

Total deviation like the one we do now from traditional to non-traditional and non-modernism is not the modernity we thought to be and therefore that can never bridge between the past and the present. Presentation of a few cultural items cannot be an excuse of non-total deviation from tradition.

There are nobler lessons unexplored on the other face of Kut's coin.

It is good to learn unity, love, morality, sincerity and honesty that Kut of our forefathers left for the posterity and us. It is worthless to observe Kut in the present manner if it's not going to be worthwhile to learn from tradition of our great past.

Are the shows of today's Kut worth implanting in the minds of our youths who we expect to lead us next?


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Ngamkhohao Haokip wrote this article for The Sangai Express . This article was webcasted on October 30th, 2006
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State level Kut Festival 2002

By: Atom Samarendra

Kut - a post harvest festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of people, was celebrated all over the State on November 1 last. The festival was being celebrated in all the districts of Manipur while the grand state level Kut festival was held at the 1st Manipur Rifles ground with a colorful cultural extravaganza and the most-wanted Miss Kut beauty pageant

Kut is a festival where the Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes offer prayer after the harvest. Ministry of Tourism, Government of India had already recognized the festival as tourism festival of India. State level festival is being celebrated under the financial assistance from the ministry and State Government. Of late, the festival has broken all ethnic and religious barriers and become one of the most popular festivals of Manipur.

Veteran social worker and politician Paoneikhai Suantak (81) was chosen the “kut pa” (master of the ceremony) for the state level festival. Despite his old age, Suantak came here to meet the young people. He told the crowd, which was mostly comprised of young people, that the need of the hour was peaceful co-existence of all communities.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh opened the festival and was attended by other ministerial colleagues. Cultural troupes belonging to different communities from various corner of the State staged cultural items.

The main attraction of the state level Kut festival at 1st MR was the 'Miss Kut' beauty pageant. Fashion parade and beauty contests which are held as part of the festival has become extremely popular over the years. In fact, Miss Kut has become the medium of popularizing the festival. Altogether 20 young beauties belonging to different communities vied for the prestigious Miss Kut 2002 title. The beauty pageant was held in the evening which was witnessed by hundreds of audience mostly youngsters.

There were three rounds in the contest namely traditional, casual and question-answer rounds. Inter-round break was filled with different musical bands presenting their numbers to entertain the crowd. As the venue of the festival is a high security zone, police personnel and commandos could easily control the crowd. There was not much unruly audience there.

Ten beauties were singled out for the question-answer round (final round). Each contestant was allowed to choose a judge by picking the name from a box.

Based on proficiency of their replies, Chinminchong (Boinu) Haokip was declared Miss Kut 2002 while Miss Uttambal Devi Ningthoujam was adjudged first runners-up. Miss Themboi Kipgen was adjudged the second runner-up.

Miss Chinminchong (vital statistics: 34”-27”-34”) a resident of Langol Spring Villa, Lamphelpat during the question-answer round said that she is most inspired by the life of Florence Nightingale. Nightingale’s dedication towards the cause of the ailing soldiers is an inspiration to her, Chinminchong said. Miss Kut 2000, Santoshini Devi, crowned the title to Miss Chinminchong. With the title, she pocketed a cash prize of Rs 25,000. A sum of Rs 15,000 and 10,000 were awarded to the first runner-up and second runner-up respectively.

A cash prize of Rs 1000 each were awarded to the winners of various subtitles. Winners are: Nengthem (Best Hair), Khamnehoi Kol (Photogenic), Indubala Devi Sagolshem (Radiant Skin, Perfect Ten), Uttambala Devi Ningthoujam (Lovely Smile).

Source: E-Pao

KUT - the festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo

BEAUTY CONTEST!! IS IT THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM?

2007 Miss Kut Contestants

It is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. The festival has been variously described at different places amongst different tribes as Chavang-Kut or Khodou etc. It is a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is boundiful after a year of hard labour. The festival is a thanks giving featsts with songs and dances in merriment and joviality for all, in honour of the giver of an abundant harvest, it is observed on the 1st of November every year.

KUT SIGNIFICANTS IN ACTION

Blowing the victory trumpet

UN Security Council Resolution no. 1325

Security Council Resolution 1325 was passed unanimously on 31 October 2000. Resolution (S/RES/1325) is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women’s contributions to conflict resolution and sustainable peace

The Security Council, Recalling its resolutions 1261 (1999) of 25 August 1999, 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999, 1296 (2000) of 19 April 2000 and 1314 (2000) of 11 August 2000, as well as relevant statements of its President and recalling also the statement of its President, to the press on the occasion of the United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace of 8 March 2000 (SC/6816),

Recalling also the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (A/52/231) as well as those contained in the outcome document of the twenty-third Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the twenty-first century” (A/S-23/10/Rev.1), in particular those concerning women and armed conflict,

Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the primary responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security,

Expressing concern that civilians, particularly women and children, account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by armed conflict, including as refugees and internally displaced persons, and increasingly are targeted by combatants and armed elements, and recognizing the consequent impact this has on durable peace and reconciliation,

Reaffirming the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace-building, and stressing the importance of their equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision- making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution,

Reaffirming also the need to implement fully international humanitarian and human rights law that protects the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts,

Emphasizing the need for all parties to ensure that mine clearance and mine awareness programmes take into account the special needs of women and girls,

Recognizing the urgent need to mainstream a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations, and in this regard noting the Windhoek Declaration and the Namibia Plan of Action on Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Support Operations (S/2000/693),

Recognizing also the importance of the recommendation contained in the statement of its President to the press of 8 March 2000 for specialized training for all peacekeeping personnel on the protection, special needs and human rights of women and children in conflict situations,

Recognizing that an understanding of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, effective institutional arrangements to guarantee their protection and full participation in the peace process can significantly contribute to the maintenance and promotion of international peace and security,

Noting the need to consolidate data on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls,

1. Urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict;

2. Encourages the Secretary-General to implement his strategic plan of action (A/49/587) calling for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes;

3. Urges the Secretary-General to appoint more women as special representatives and envoys to pursue good offices on his behalf, and in this regard calls on Member States to provide candidates to the Secretary-General, for inclusion in a regularly updated centralized roster;

4. Further urges the Secretary-General to seek to expand the role and contribution of women in United Nations field-based operations, and especially among military observers, civilian police, human rights and humanitarian personnel;

5. Expresses its willingness to incorporate a gender perspective into peace-keeping operations and urges the Secretary-General to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations include a gender component;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to provide to Member States training guidelines and materials on the protection, rights and the particular needs of women, as well as on the importance of involving women in all peacekeeping and peace-building measures, invites Member States to incorporate these elements as well as HIV/AIDS awareness training into their national training programmes for military and civilian police personnel in preparation for deployment and further requests the Secretary-General to ensure that civilian personnel of peacekeeping operations receive similar training;

7. Urges Member States to increase their voluntary financial, technical and logistical support for gender-sensitive training efforts, including those undertaken by relevant funds and programmes, inter alia, the United Nations Fund for Women and United Nations Children’s Fund, and by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other relevant bodies;

8. Calls on all actors involved, when negotiating and implementing peace agreements, to adopt a gender perspective, including, inter alia:

(a) The special needs of women and girls during repatriation and resettlement and for rehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflict reconstruction;

(b) Measures that support local women’s peace initiatives and indigenous processes for conflict reso-lution, and that involve women in all of the implementation mechanisms of the peace agreements;

(c) Measures that ensure the protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls, particularly as they relate to the constitution, the electoral system, the police and the judiciary;

9. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict to respect fully international law applicable to the rights and protection of women and girls as civilians, in particular the obligations applicable to them under the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, the Refugee Convention of 1951 and the Protocol thereto of 1967, the Convention Security Council - 5 - Press Release SC/6942 4213th Meeting (PM) 31 October 2000 on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women of 1979 and the Optional Protocol thereto of 1999 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989 and the two Optional Protocols thereto of 25 May 2000, and to bear in mind the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court;

10. Calls on all parties to armed conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, and all other forms of violence in situations of armed conflict;

11. Emphasizes the responsibility of all States to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes including those relating to sexual violence against women and girls, and in this regard, stresses the need to exclude these crimes, where feasible from amnesty provisions;

12. Calls upon all parties to armed conflict to respect the civilian and humanitarian character of refugee camps and settlements, and to take into account the particular needs of women and girls, including in their design, and recalls its resolution 1208 (1998) of 19 November 1998;

13. Encourages all those involved in the planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration to consider the different needs of female and male ex-combatants and to take into account the needs of their dependants;

14. Reaffirms its readiness, whenever measures are adopted under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, to give consideration to their potential impact on the civilian population, bearing in mind the special needs of women and girls, in order to consider appropriate humanitarian exemptions;

15. Expresses its willingness to ensure that Security Council missions take into account gender considerations and the rights of women, including through consultation with local and international women’s groups;

16. Invites the Secretary-General to carry out a study on the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the role of women in peace-building and the gender dimensions of peace processes and conflict resolution, and further invites him to submit a report to the Security Council on the results of this study and to make this available to all Member States of the United Nations;

17. Requests the Secretary-General, where appropriate, to include in his reporting to the Security Council, progress on gender mainstreaming throughout peacekeeping missions and all other aspects relating to women and girls;

18. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Source: The Sangai Express

NSCN (IM)’s directive threatens to derail Jiri-Tupul rail line | NEFR asks State Govt to provide foolproof security, longest tunnel of 8.5 kms.....

NSCN (IM)’s directive threatens to derail Jiri-Tupul rail lineNEFR asks State Govt to provide foolproof security, longest tunnel of 8.5 kms, bridge over Barak river on rail map.

IMPHAL, Oct 30 : Even as the North East Frontier Railways has intimated to the State Government that it plans to start work on digging up a 8.5 km long tunnel between Tupul and Imphal for the proposed railway line from November this year, the NSCN (IM) has issued a directive banning all activities related to the laying of the rail track.

The directive issued on August 24 this year by the Ministry of Chaplee of the NSCN (IM), makes it clear that the IM group has decided to ban all contract works related to the Jiribam to Tupul rail line with immediate effect.

The directive issued under the signature of K Among, secretary to the GPRN, said, “As per the decision of the Government (GPRN), I am to inform you that the contract works for Jiribam to Tupul (Railway tender) has been banned with immediate effect until further order. The concerned implementing agencies are directed to stop and vacate the work site immediately.”

The directive warned that failure to comply with the order will result in the work site, materials/ machines being burnt down while labourers would be arrested.

The directive was issued under the instructions of the Kiloner of Chaplee, GPRN.

Significantly, the directive of the NSCN (IM) came against the backdrop of the plans of the State Government to set up a number of important infrastructure at Jiribam, such as the FCI godown.

Following the directive issued by the NSCN (IM), the North East Frontier Railways, which is the implementing agency, has asked the State Government to provide foolproof security so that the work can progress smoothly, said a reliable source while talking to The Sangai Express.

The State Government on its part has already assured full security, said the source and added that the NEFR intends to start work on a 8.5 km long tunnel from November this year.

Elaborating, the source said that the 8.5 kms long tunnel will come up between Tupul and Imphal and will be the longest rail tunnel in the country.

Other than this, the NEFR has also informed the State Government that a 4.5 km long tunnel will come up between Okoklong near Khongsang and Irang.

Besides this, a bridge will also be constructed over the Barak river.

The NEFR has already intimated to the State Government to provide the necessary security cover so that work on the tunnels and the bridge can start from November this year.

The two tunnels will be dug from each side simultaneously, said the source.

It will take about four years for the NEFR to complete the tunnel work as well as constructing the bridge.

Talking about the progress made for the rail line, the source said that the process of acquiring land on the Jiribam side has been finalised.

Process to lay tracks over a stretch of ten kilometres in Tamenglong district is also more or less finalised, said the source and added that for the 10 km stretch the land has been acquired from Phaiton, Tatbung and Lhangnom villages.

The process of working out the compensation has also been finalised, said the source and added that the needed materials are being brought to the site.

Over and above this, the survey work for the rail line has also been finalised over a stretch of 5 kms from the said three villages. The compensation rate is currently being worked out.

The deadline for completing the Jiri-Tupul rail line is 2012 and it will be extended up to Patsoi by 2014. From there the railway line will be extended to Bishnu-pur, Thoubal, Chakpi- karong and finally Moreh.

The rail line is being taken up as a National project and the foundation stone for the Jiri to Tupul rail line was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to the State in 2004.

The rail line was initially scheduled to be completed by 2010.



Source: The Sangai Express

WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA | CALIFORNIA AH MEII LEH KAAT TUNG

- S. Thangboi Zou
NEHU Campus, Shillong

“I looked outside my house and I thought I was in the middle of HELL!!!.” (Joe Wronowicz, Rancho Cucamonga resident)

California state akichi chieng in atangpiin Hollywood Los Angeles khopi a um khu ilung ah ahing kilou masa pen hi. ‘Muonna leh bitna um e na chi laitah un natung uah sietna ahing tung ding’ chia Bible in agen dandeu in tam State miten zong agintat phahlou lai un October 21, 2007 ni in atung uah thakhat in mei leh kaat hing kuong in agam uh acre 500,000 (nuoi nga) sanga tamzaw leh inn 5,500 val kangtum dimdem a, mi 14 shi a tualeh mi 15,000 val in innmun-loumun taisan uhi.

Tam gammang-meileng(wildfire) bang hingchi kipat e chi thei chien chet hisih nanleh, Oct. ni 20 (Kiginni) a gamvah khat gammangh in alawite signal pieh nadinga mei adetkuong ahileh agam a huihat zieha akim-apam teng man/pe a, meikuong lien hing suoh dan in kigen hi. Tam gam-mei khu Cedar Mei zong kichi a, San Diego county a hing kipan ahia, tami khokimvel ha suhsiet pen hi. Agam a National Football League tu leh tu a um nasan zong Arizona State ah kituon vawt hi.

Oct. 24, 2007 Sepkiani apat in hui leh meikuong kithuo hat mama in south California a ziel den a, tampen silsuimiten agam leitang, hampa leh singte agaw seng leh huinung ahat seng zieh ahi dan gen uhi. California gam khu eilang bang lou a U.S gam ading a climate chi tuom vilvel nei ahi. Tuakhu Mediterranean Climate kichi hi. Tuhun khu amau ua din gamgaw hun ahia, eilam a March-April ha gamgaw leh huilan hun bang chet ahi. Tualeh, December chieng in guotui ake zing hi.

Kho-gaw/gamgaw leh huigaw chikhat Santa Ana Winds kichi toh ang kithuo chieng un meikuong hatsah mama a, feet 100 val a sang(high) in meikuong kileh vapuol zou hi. Tam meikuong in amun atuom jel bang in mintuom nei a: Cedar Fire, Old Fire leh Grand Prix Fire chin kiminvaw vate hi. Cedar Fire pen kum 2003 in natung zou ta a, California tanchin adia meikuong nasah pen ana hi dan hi. Kum 4 zou chet tukum in hing tung kia hi. Mallam a Simi Valley (Ventura county) apat simlam a San Barnardino leh suolam a San Diego county tan sung meikuong in ahal tum dimdem hi.

Meikuong suol pawl (fire fighters) mi 800 val in in theitawp in lei lam pan leh vanlam apat Helicopter zang in sumit tum nan ulehzong 20% vel chouh aphel zou giep uhi. Mitamtah meiphel ding in kipumpieh uhi. Sharon Robinson kichipan “kum 35 vingveng ka inn uah kana khosa ua, kumchin in meikuong in gam-mong tan a’ng pha zing a inntan hing tung ding pen kana gingta kha vawt sih uh” chiin agintatlou tah a sil tung ahi dan gen hi. Wronowicz kichipan amangbat dan gen uong mama a “ka inn pulam uh thakhat in ka en a, Meidil li-lai a um ka’ta de aw.. kachi man hi” chi keei hi.

President Bush in tam gamteng ‘suh siet a um’ (disaster area) ahi chiin puong a, panpina mipite leh a govt. pepai ngal ding ahi dan gen hi. US Govt in pan nasah tah a alah dan pen eigam toh kikhe mama a, media(tanchin saipawl) ten zong patat na lientah pie ua, “Ahi… hichi ding ma hie… bawlhoi uchie…(‘how to do things right’) chi uhi. “Meilipi phel ding in kang panpi ding ua, tuamai hilou in, tam vangsietna naphuh pailet zou nading uleh maban a na hinkhuo uh nalam zou kia na ding un ka hing panpi ding hi” chiin Bush in amite chiem hi. Eigam ah solkar in athu in hingchiem nanleh, atahsuona hun in koima kiel alap man sih hi. “Mipiten maban ah ni hoizaw a um hi chi athei ding uh deisah ing – tunin ihinkhuo uh genthei nanleh, zing chieng ni hoizaw hing suoh ding hi” chi henem na thu gen hi.

Climatete expert ten tam meikuong khu Global warming (Vannei Lumna) zieh ahi chin ngaw uhi. Global warming in gamgaw hun sausah deu deu a, tuaziehin meikuong jauhuoi sem maban ah hing tung thei ding in gingta uhi. “Tam meikuong apat in Climate Change ‘gimnamtui’ ing chiem pan nabou uh khuh..” chiin San Diego State University a Biology Professor, W. Oechel kichipan eng gen hi. Hinanleh global warming zieh ahi pumping sih chia niel kal pawl tam veve hi.

Abangpen a hing kipan hita leh, tam silting in lunggeel khat ahing guon hi. Bible ah Sodom & Gomora khopi tangthu itheichiet ding uh gintat ahuoi hi. U.S gam adieh in California State Sodom-Gomora toh bang akikhietna a um ei? Oleh, amaute sang in zong huoise mama zaw ta ding uoi? Khovel a numei-pasal thangtatna huoise pen, porn/blue movies kikapna munlienpen, numei & numei (lesbianism) leh pasal & pasal (gay couple) kipawlna uong pen (5.2% of the population) khu California State ahi. Californiate bang hituom la? Eite zong 1990s lai in I gam(CCPur) uah tuol-gal natung a, meii leh kaat in ‘baptised’ ina tang ua itum bei phiel uhi. Maban izop sawt ule…!!! Californiate neepte.


Sources: www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/26/california.wildfire/index.html
46kwww.esri.com/disaster_response/sbfires071506.html
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=97083
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/5D1DBB22-7F91
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_village