Manipur minister of Horticulture & Soil Conservation and Forest and Environment, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, attended the second day of the ‘Luira Phanit’ celebrated under the theme ‘Luithot Yameisa’ at the Mission Ground Alungthang, Hunphun town in Ukhrul on Saturday.
Speaking as the chief guest of the Luira Phanit function, Th Shyamkumar lauded the organizers for celebrating the festival with pomp and gaiety and preserving the age-old traditional culture of the community.
He also said the Luira Phanit festival will further strengthen the bond among the people through participation in various events which includes traditional games, folk dance and folk songs.
Luira Phanit is the traditional seed sowing festival of the Tangkhul community. Hundreds of locals from the Tangkhul community, both young and old attend the celebration in their traditional attire with great enthusiasm.
Twenty-seven localities of Hunphun town compete in different events including traditional games, folk dance and folk songs as part of the festival.
A beauty contest will be held later today where young girls of the community will compete for the ‘Miss Hunphun Luira 2018’ title.
Alfred Kanngam Arthur, MLA Ukhrul Assembly Constituency, Khashim Vashum, MLA Chingai Assembly Constituency, M Ashnikumar Singh, vice-chairman of Manipur Infrastructure Development Agency, HA Vareishang, Ukhrul ADC member were also present at the celebration on Saturday.
Second day’s highlight was the ‘La khanganui’ or ‘virgin dance’ which was enjoyed by the dignitaries apart from hundreds of locals who have gathered at the celebration ground.
