Hareshwar Goshwami gi mayumda sakhangdabasingna ngarang nongmeina kapsillamba
Source YENDA NEWS AGENCY
Hareshwar Goshwami gi mayumda sakhangdabasingna ngarang nongmeina kapsillamba Read MoreDay: February 12, 2023
The Katak Stones of Willong
By James Khangenbam 12 Feb 2023 Imphal :
In the ancient time, it is believe that the Maram Tribes erect stone to show their wealth and might. When one stone is named after one man he has to offer the whole villagers a non-vegetarian meal. The custom of burying a piece of Iron at the base of the Monolith speaks of putting off the life spirit of the stones, as it is believed that every stone erection during a person’s life time is considered to be alive. In this regard the people of Willong speaks of the calling of Names among Monoliths at midnight such as Kanga, Hinga, Hiila, etc for the same reason only few dare to go to this site during night time.
“ Kanga, Khala, Thila are some of the female stone “ and Numdulung, Hiwa, Kaba, are some of the male stone at the Katak Site of Willong Village. To own a stone they split local wine at the foot of the erected stone and sleep with longings for owning a stone in the Katak stone site of Willong. If it appears that the stone belongs to him in his dream the dreamer owns the stone. Such is the ritual of owning a symbolic stone in Willong.
The Katak Stones of Willong
The Katak stone site in Willong stands tall to the natural site of a very greenish tree and red soil. The village is resided by Maram tribes and is 40 kilometre drive from the Maram main road (National Highway 39). In the old practice while erecting a ceremonial big stone they also keep a small stone adjacent to the big one as a tradition of accompanies. The stone symbolises strength and sportsmanship. As a good practice people use to put up weed on top of the erecting stone and try to take it down with their toes. Rock climbing competition in a run mount after a short pace and stone jumps from one roof of a 10 feet tall stone to another at a gap of 3 to 4 feet is another adventure they enjoy.
People of Willong still believe that the stone protects them. Perhaps drawn from the idea that the stony hills protect them from storms and natural disasters. They also have a fear psychosis that if they do not appease the stone the boulders might run after them. The stories associated with the Katak Stones also narrates a lot of cultural and traditional practices of the ancestors of Maram Tribes. Among the stones, there are also pairs whom the people of Maram believe that they were lovers but forbidden for certain reasons. If a child attends a height based on the marked parameter at the Katak stones he is considered to be matured. The cultural associations with the stones makes the Katak Stones unique. The centuries old historically associated stone of Katak lies naked to the Sun and is protected with barb wire fencing by the villagers. The public regarded it as a heritage site. Many people have paid visit to the Site for its uniqueness and historical importance to the people living around.
The Katak Stones of Willong Read MoreAs part of G20 summit around 100 foreign delegates visit Assam
India’s plan for portraying the northeastern part of the country during its ongoing presidency is going well. Recently around 100 foreign delegates from 20 countries and other dignitaries in India for G20 summit visited Assam and crossed the mighty Brahmaputra river to experience the rich heritage and vibrant culture of the state. The Assam Tourism department played the perfect host to an evening full of culture and tradition.
The delegates went to Sandbar Island by boat where they watched traditional Gayan -Bayan, Bihu dance, Siphung and other folk dances, performed by 700 artists on the island. They also got a chance to have a first-hand experience of the vivid tribes of Assam at the ethnic village especially curated to display the state.
The ethnic village gave a glimpse of the various tribes of Assam including Mishing, Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, Rabha and Hajong alongside six various folk-dance performances and traditional drums (Doba, Mridanga), Xonkho (conch), Bhortal (cymbals) of these communities. Centuries-old classical dance “Sattriya” created by the 15th-century social reformer vaishnavite saint Srimanta Shankardev was also performed for the G20 delegates.
“Cultural diplomacy is a unique way to pursue economic benefits into the state and boost tourism. We are hopeful that the G20 delegates visit in Guwahati was unique and our efforts to enthrall the delegates with the rich and vibrant performances besides presenting the culinary traditions of the state get them connected with the roots and regional flavour of Awesome Assam”, said Shri Kumar Padmapani Bora (IRS), Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Cooperation.
Some time ago, in its bid to rejuvenate tourism and hospitality sector in northeast India, Aizawl, capital of the state of Mizoram hosted 10th International Tourism Mart for the first time. The International Tourism Mart brought together tourism business fraternity and entrepreneurs from the eight northeastern states of India to the state.
“We have to use this occasion (G-20 meetings) to showcase our cultural richness. Our focus will be to increase the global Investments not only in the hospitality industry but also to promote entertainment centers, adventure tourism, cruise tourism, and wellness tourism,” G. Kishan Reddy, India’s Tourism Minister had said.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 27 said that assuming the G20 presidency was a huge opportunity for India and that the country must utilise it by focusing on global good.
Reddy said that the northeastern region has great tourism potential, which is yet to be explored.
India’s participation in the G20 process stems from the realisation that as a major developing economy India has a vital stake in the stability of the international economic and financial system. India has been actively involved in the G20 preparatory process both at the Sherpas Track and the Financial Track since its inception.
According to a paper by Observer Research Foundation, ‘G20 in 2023 Priorities for India’s Presidency’, the presidency will provide India with the opportunity to steer one of the more effective multilateral forums for global governance. India’s presidency is momentous for several reasons. The critical challenges confronting humanity today are global in character, not confined by national boundaries, and require collective action. Solving these challenges demands multilateral initiatives.
As part of G20 summit around 100 foreign delegates visit Assam Read MoreDistrict Skill Mela 2023 held at Kakching District
By James Khangenbam 12 Feb 2023 Imphal :
District Skill Committee, Kakching District organized a District Skill Mela, 2023 at JNURM Hall, Kakching Sumak Leikai under the aegis of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
The programme was attended by Shri LN. Kashung, IAS Mission Director, Manipur Society for Skil Development as Chief Guest, Shri Somorjit IAS Deputy Commissioner, Kakching as President and Shri Kh. Bobby Singh, Chief Operating Officer- Skills, State Skill Mission, Smt. Anuradha Oinam SRA/NRL, Shri Amarjit Rajkumar, Jt. Director Manipur Society for Skill Development as Guest o Honour respectively.
Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Shri LN .Kashung stated that bringing awareness of skill development in our society is very much in need. Even the educated persons should keep themselves trained and fit. We must equip with skills that are required to meet the demands of our rapidly growing economy. We should be very clear to what is skill and for what it is.
In his presidential speech, Somorjit Salam Deputy Commissioner, Kakching said that in Manipur there are many educated unemployment. In future, educated would not survive without possessing unique skill. If unemployment figure kept on rising lots of crisis will follow. He further said that to generate employment, skill development with hard work and efficiency is a must in our society.
District Skill Mela 2023
Adahrii Maheo, Additional District Magistrate, Kakching in his welcome and keynote address point out that the development of skills can contribute to structural transformation and economic growth by enhancing employability and labor productivity. Skill development has been considered as one of the critical aspects for job creation in our country. Everybody must try to get benefit and opportunity from the Skill Mela happening in the district.
Basically, the District Skill Mela was organized for generating awareness and selection/ enrolment of interested persons for skill development training in different sectors under the various skill development schemes of Central and State governments. The programme was designed to associate with different line departments of the district, Training Providers, employers across the state, banks etc. for overall sensitization of various aspects of Skill Development. Reputed training providers from across the State have participated in the event. The dignitaries of the function also inspected the stalls. A total of 22 stalls were opened in the Mela by various departments of the Government and entrepreneurs.
As part of the Mela, a Talk Show was moderated by Shri Anil Haorokcham, Managing Director,
SYNAPX and participated by Shri A. Athias, LDM, Kakching. Shri Moirangthem Muktamani, Proprietor, Mukta Shoes & Padmashri Awardee. Smt. Hanjabam Subhra Devi, Proprietor, Meira Foods. Shri Pradeep Meitram, CEO/Co-Founder, Elle’s group and Dr. Pibarel Meetei, Founder/Managing Director, Medilane.