CM calls for peace and harmony on Kut day

IMPHAL, Nov 1: The post harvest festival of Kuki-Chin Mizo group, `Kut` was celebrated in various parts of the state today.

The main celebration of the day was observed by the State Level Kut Committee at the 1st MR ground Imphal this morning with chief minister O Ibobi Singh as chief guest of the function.

Cultural dances and folk songs by the artists from different communities of Kuki-Chin Mizo group marked the observation.

Chief minister O Ibobi Singh while inaugurating festival this morning at 1st MR ground Imphal said the celebration is not for the Kuki-Chin Mizo alone.

Such festivals can bring peace and communal harmony in the state he said.

The chief minister further said Kut was once celebrated by the communities of Kuki Chin Mizo at their respective villages during this season choosing a convenient time, but considering the value and impact of the festival the state government brought it up to a state level festival and November 1 has been recognized as Kut day.

The festival is today recognised by the Union ministry of tourism.

The chief minister also extended his greetings to the people of the state on the occasion and mentioned that as a post harvest festival of Kuki-Chin-Mizo group of people, `Kut" symbolizes compassion, gaiety and gratefulness.

It is also a thanks giving to God for a bountiful harvest, he said.

Setting aside the barriers of all castes, creeds and religions, the festival provides a good platform to every human being to introspect on his own thoughts and values he added.

There is confident that the Kut festival will be celebrated in its true spirit and reaffirm our resolve to strengthen peaceful coexistence among various ethnic groups, which is an age-old glorious tradition of the people of Manipur, the chief minster said.

MP, Manipur Outer Parliamentary Constituency, Thangso Baite and power minister T Phungzathang attended the function as president and guest of honour made their wishes to the people of the state for bringing peace and harmony with the celebrations of Kut festival.

The chief minister also released the Kut souvenir.

The inaugural function this morning was enlightened by the performances of cultural dances and folk music performed by various artists from different communities.

On the other hand, the second session of the Kut festival organized by the state Level Kut committee this afternoon attracted large crowds from different parts of the state to witnessed the Miss Kut, 2009 contest.

The show was enlived further by a music bonanza and other cultural items.

Kut celebration was also conducted today at Henglep, Churachandpur, Sita in Chandel district and other interior parts of the state where Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities are settled.