Kut festival celebrated with usual fervor
IMPHAL, Nov 1/IFP: The Kut Festival, 2013 was observed today amidst much fanfare and fervor at the Parade Ground of the 1st Manipur Rifles.
The Governor of Mizoram, Vakikom B Purushothaman appreciated being invited to Manipur to witness and take part in the Kut festival as the chief guest.
It may be mentioned that for the first time in the history of the celebration, a dignitary from another state has graced the function as the chief guest.
Besides the Mizoram Governor, the morning session was also attended by Dr Ashwani Kumar, the Governor of Manipur and Nagaland as the chief host. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and MP of Lok Sabha, Thangso Baite also attended as the guests of honour with Health Minister, Phungzathang Tonsing presiding over the proceedings.
Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, DGP MK Das, senior officials of various government departments were also present at the festival.
The Kut 2013, was formally inaugurated by Governor B Purushothaman who also released the Kut souvenir.
The ‘Kut Pa’ was accorded to Solenki Chothe and the ‘Kut Personality’ was conferred to Veradin Selsi Lamkang.
It may be mentioned that the Kut festival, the post harvest festival is the biggest celebration of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities and celebrated by more than 21 different tribes.
The festival was marked by traditional dances from several ethnic communities inclusive of Hmar, Maring, Paite, Aimol, Anal, Chote, Kom etc.
Ten contestants walked the ramp for the main attraction, the Miss Kut contest for the traditional round exhibiting ethnic wear with a modern design.
Mizoram Governor, B Puroshothaman in his address mentioned that Manipur is blessed to have a rich cultural bounty and the display of dances by different communities is a joy to behold; before adding that the Kut festival is an expression of harmony, hope and peace and a moment of unity, a celebration of conciliation and an expansion of the tribal legacy.
He stated that such festival could promote tourism and reverberates across cultural boundaries.
“It is a platform to bring people together,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, Governor of Manipur and Nagaland, Ashwani Kumar noted that the festival is recognized by the nation and is an opportunity to witness the rich culture and tradition of the different communities of the state.
Voicing his satisfaction with large participation of youths in the festival, he said that it is a different flavor to see the energetic youths exhibiting their tradition.
He also lamented that the state witnesses different violent acts inclusive of threats and extortion. However, he assured that the scale of wanton violence had come down and the law and order situation in the State has improved.
“Tension between communities has reduced but hatred may return unless firm action is taken to prohibit violence, weapons and bombs. People have to remain vigilant and join hands to ensure that peace and harmony continues to prevail,” the Governor said.
Lhingjanei Kipgen was crowned Miss Kut-2013 beating off the challenges of Chakpram Purnima (first runners up) and Salam Kalpana (second runners up).
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Kut preaches idea of live & let live: CM
IMPHAL, Nov 1: Kut festival, the harvest festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo, is no longer restricted to the original communities. Nowadays, it has become an important festival for all the communities inhabiting the state, said Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while addressing the afternoon session of the celebration today.
State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said he was overwhelmed to learn that it is being celebrated by the Kuki-Chin-Mizo settlers in other parts of India and foreign countries as well. Moreover, the Indian government has given recognition to the festival and has classified it among the tourism festivals of the country, he stated.
He described the festival as one of the event in India which has risen above communal segregations and promotes the idea of live and let others live. Kut festival has played an important role in rekindling the age-old bond of peace and brotherhood in a land which is inhabited by communities speaking different languages and having different religious practices and costumes, he added.
On the occasion of Kut, I pray to the Almighty that the festival will bring peace, prosperity and contentment, he added.
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“Kut observation overshadowed by beauty contest”
LAMKA, November 1: The Kut festivity did catch up with the people of Sangaikot TD Block in CCpur district.
The festival was celebrated at the Sangaikot village public ground with active participation from the village chiefs of the area today.
The celebration started at 11 am today attended by member of Autonomous District Council, 21 Sangaikot as chief guest, Lhunpai Mangte as guest of honour, Zamkholian as functional president and Tongkholet Lhungdim as the Kut Pa.
Presenting the key note address on the occasion, the chairman of the Kut celebration committe, Sangaikot block Pumtulthang expressed his hope that this celebration will not be the last celebration in the Sangaikot area.
Speaking at the function, as chief guest T Baite said, “it’s high time that we retrospect on our recent past Kut celebrations as the celebration has been in recent times, overshadowed by the beauty contest and the Chavang Kut, of the fore fathers, has become Miss Kut or Zuu(alcohol) Kut”.
“We must make sure that we leave a legacy of which the next generation will be proud of the way we uphold the Kut spirit which is one big day of joy for all of us.”
The chief guest also say that as a member of the district council, he had nursed a plan where the people of his constituency will get all possible assistance, but that is not possible in one go; and further asked the people for patience.
Sangaikot block had been unfortunate due to its location as the place between two Assembly Constituencies but now the MLA of Saikot A/C and Singat A/C have started working together and the area will get benefit very soon, he said.
Thunpau Mate, the guest of honour also said that Kut is a time for celebration where all communities irrespective of difference in language and way of life, come by shunning their problems so as to enjoy.
SP Zou, a social worker, on the occasion praised the unity of the different communities in the area which he term ‘impressive’ and informed the gathering that as a reward for the unity, the chairperson of the AICC, Sonia Gandhi had recently gave, in writing, her assurance to take a step to settle the Kuki issue at the earliest possible.
During the celebration at Sangaikot today, cultural troupes from different communities viz Kuki/Thadou, Paite,Kom Gangte, Zou , Vaiphei etc. showcased their traditional dances.
The main highlights of the program include traditional rock song presented by NES Band and showcasing of traditional dresses by students of Agape high school of Sangaikot.
One negative aspect that was witnessed today in the Sangaikot TD Block area was the poor connectivity, be it the road connectivity or communication which has cut off the area from the district headquarter.
IFP had, in the past, reported about the pathetic road conditions in the area but the condition still is a pity sight.
Source: Imphal Free Press
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Kut soothes frayed nerves, warms early winter chill
IMPHAL, Nov 1/TSE: Kut, a post-harvest festival and perhaps the most popular festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities was celebrated today at 1st Bn Manipur Rifles parade ground at the State level.
Unlike the previous years, the Kut function was graced by Mizoram Governor Vakkom B Purusothaman as chief guest while his Manipur counterpart Ashwani Kumar was the chief host of the occasion.
Traditional dance and music, modern music and Miss Kut Contest 2013 were the main features of the Kut celebration.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing presided the function while Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and MP Thangso Baite were also present as guests of honour.
Mizoram Governor Vakkom B Purushothaman opened the festival by striking the traditional Shembung (cymbal) three times and releasing a balloon attached with a banner embossed with the words ‘Kut 2013’.
The Mizoram Governor also released a souvenir.
Speaking at the occasion, Purusothaman remarked that Manipuri people celebrate numerous festivals and Kut is counted among the most popular and significant festivals.
Kut festival always brings a sense of unity besides propagating a message of peace and progress.
Kut festival can certainly attract tourists and is a fine example of preserving and promoting tribal legacy.
Traditional dance and music presented at the Kut festival are messengers of peace and progress, stated Purusothaman.
For this year’s Kut, Solengki Chothe was given the prestigious title of Kutpa while Beradin Silsi Lamkang was adjudged the Kut Personality.
There was never a dull moment throughout the celebration as the rhythm and lively performance of traditional and modern tribal music and dance kept the audience enthralled throughout.
A number of Ministers, MLAs, MDC Members, high ranking civil and police officials, Church leaders and people from different walks of life attended the grand function.
In his speech, Manipur Governor Ashwani Kumar said that the Kut festival celebrated by not only CHIKIMS people but also other tribal groups has been recognised by the Government of India as a tourist festival.
The festival provides a perfect platform to highlight the rich cultural heritage and musical tradition of the CHIKIMS people to the international community.
Stating that he felt privileged to be the chief host of this year’s Kut festival which is his first participation in a Kut festival, Ashwani Kumar conveyed that he was impressed on seeing the zeal and dedication of the young organisers.
Apart from the declining trend in crimes and violent activities, communal conflicts have come down considerably in Manipur as compared to the last few years, he asserted.
Nonetheless, the situation still demands that people remain vigilant. The Governor further wished that the Kut festival may bring peace, development and unity in Manipur.
Later in the evening session, Chief Minister O Ibobi who attended the function as the chief guest called upon the people to live up to the spirit of Kut, which is about brotherhood, peace and stability. Let the festival usher in an era peace, communal harmony and brotherly co-existence, he exhorted the gathering. In between different programmes of the grand event , the gathering observed one-minute silence in memory of the departed souls of leaders of the State.
Later in the evening, Miss Kut Beauty Pageant was held with Chief Minister O Ibobi as the chief guest.
Notably, it was in 1982 when the State Government recognised Kut festival as a State festival and declared State holiday on November 1.
Source: The Sangai Express