Manipur violence: Public abstains from Ningol Chakouba celebration in solidarity for affected victim

In an act of solidarity, the public has decided to abstain from the Ningol Chakouba celebration, showing support for the affected victim. 

As the first ever of its kind in the history of Manipur, Meitei society willingly abstains from celebrating one of its biggest festivals "Ningol Chakouba" showing solidarity to the affected victims of the ongoing crisis. 

People from all corners of the valley areas stages sit-in protest instead of feeling the joy of this festival expressing stark condemnation against the government for their complete failure to bring an amicable solution. 

Traditionally, the Ningol Chakouba festival that celebrated on the second lunar day of Hiyangei (Meitei calendar), married women used to visit their paternal home for a feast doled with beautiful dresses, jewelleries and make-up. As this festival signifies unbreakable bonding between brothers and sisters, to give profound blessings by sisters to brothers after lunch makes the festival more significant.  

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Sadly, the scene of today's Ningol Chakouba is totally different owing to the present crisis. Ningol Chakouba which is considered a day of joy and happiness that every woman eagerly waited has become a day of disappointment and heart-wrenching moments. Society is filled with pain and brims with tears on this auspicious day. Unlike previous years, the road is completely deserted.

On this auspicious day of Ningol Chakouba which comes once in year, women organisations, and civil society organisations unanimously decided to forgo the Ningol Chakouba solving the pain of affected victims is very grateful.

She said that Ningol Chakouba is one much-awaited day for every woman. Every woman loved to cherish this day with their brothers, siblings and parents but due to the crisis, they couldn't even think about Ningol Chakouba as their minds were engaged with the devastation given by the ongoing crisis. 

All the displaced children want to go to Ningol Chakouba however they struggle to stay in relief camps. The state government should end this war at the earliest and restore peace, she appealed.

It may be mentioned that as a mark of solidarity with the affected victims of the ongoing crisis, various sections of society unanimously decided to stop celebrating Ningol Chakouba.