Imphal, Oct 29 : In spite of the commodity crisis in Manipur due to the ongoing economic blockade on NH-2 and NH-37, the state celebrated Ningol Chakouba, the biggest festival for its women, on Friday.
Thousands of Manipuri ningols (women), especially the married ones, visited their parents' homes in their choicest attire with sweets, meat and fruits and enjoyed various fish dishes with their siblings and parents.
People thronged the fish stalls in the markets of Imphal to buy fish for the grand feast in the morning. Due to the bulk production of local fish, the rate of certain fish reared locally remained unchanged but the price of fish brought from outside the state was somewhat high.
Owing to the festival, most business establishments were closed after noon. Various civil bodies including women organizations celebrated the day at different parts of the valley with women from different communities.
The ningols returned home in high spirits with blessings and simple gifts like clothes, kitchenware and small amounts of money from their parents and brothers.
"The festival revives family ties and strengthens the bond of love and affection, mainly between married women and their brothers. It ultimately helps in preserving and promoting unity and integrity in the society," governor Gurbachan Jagat said on the occasion.
"The festival reinforces the fraternal and protective bond that exists between siblings and parents and daughters since time immemorial," chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.
"Though the festival was originally celebrated by the Meitei community, other communities of Manipur like the ethnic tribal groups and Manipuri Muslims have also been celebrating Ningol Chakouba for the last one decade, promoting emotional integration and unity in the state," the CM added.
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