Poumai Thounii, the biggest traditional festival of the Poumai community was held under the aegis of Poumai Naga Union (PNU) and Thingba Khunou at Thingba Khunou (Shomai) village in Manipur’s Senapati district on Friday.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, State Power Minister Th Biswajit, Tribal Affairs and Hills Minister N Kayasii, Public Health and Engineering department minister Losii Dikho, Chairman ML Markson of Autonomous District Council Senapati, President L Soloni Pao of PNU, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Vineet Joshi, media advisor to Chief Minister Arun Irengbam, members of ADC Senapati and others attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that a heritage complex of the Poumai community would be developed by the State Government at Saranamei village to preserve and protect the historical elements and antique items associated with the community.
Promising to put forward the request of broadcasting Poumai dialect programmes in between 6.20 to 6.50 pm in All India Radio, Imphal,he also assured the Poumais to discuss the demand for declaring Poumai Thounii as a restricted holiday of the State.
Highlighting the new initiatives of the Government in various fronts, Biren said his Government would launch two different welfare schemes commemorating the Statehood Day on January 21. ‘Hakshelgi Tengbang’ (Manipur Health Protection Scheme) will be launched on the day and it would become functional from the next day. The scheme would provide cashless benefit up to Rs 2 lakh per year per for BPL/AAY/poor families on floater basis.
Moreover, 10 well-equipped ambulances would be put in service at hill district headquarters from this day onwards in order to reduce the inconveniences faced by the people of the hills and interior areas in bringing patients to health centres and hospitals, he said and added Rs 11 crore had been earmarked to construct a guest house for the chiefs of different villages of hill districts inside the complex of Royal Palace in Imphal.
In his address, Power Minister Biswajit Singh said to bring an inclusive development in the State, ‘we need to improve our road connectivity, water supply, communication and uninterrupted power supply’. The Government is trying its best to improve road connectivity in hill areas of the State, he added.
Various cultural songs and dances were showcased during the function. On the occasion, the dignitaries were presented traditional shawls and gifts.