Laii villagers begin Vafiimai day celebrations

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 11 (EMN): Commemorating the bountiful blessings, the Laii (Vafiimai) day celebration with theme “Our Culture, Our Identity" has begun at the local ground of the village, located about 145 km north of Imphal in Senapati district.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by the Rajya Sabha MP Maharaj Leishemba Sanajaoba, Consumers affairs food & public distribution minister L Susindro, MLA L Dikho of Mao assembly constituency attended the celebration.

During the celebration, Biren Singh inaugurated a monolith at the village.

Biren said, ‘we are working day and night and today we are able to provide potable water to atleast 70-80 percent in the district.’

Further, calling on the people to be united and live together, he urged all to forgive and forget the past mistakes and move forward unitedly.

Seeking the people’s support on ‘War on Drugs’ campaign and appreciating the people of the district including the Poumais, Thangals, Maos, Maram, Liangmais for coming out voluntarily and pledging against poppy plantation and illegal drug business, he said the poppy plantation not only helps in production of drugs like opium but also destroys forest and environment. It causes massive deforestation, which is adversely affecting the climate, he said.

Highlighting that the proposal for upgradating the Laii-Tusom via Kharasom road to national highway status was not included in the proposal sent to the centre earlier, Biren Singh assured that he will also look into other points included in the memorandum submitted by the villagers.

On certain similarities between the Poumais and the Meiteis, he explained that he wants to fully understand these similarities.

He also explained the need to visit the interior villages and said the government has to understand the necessities and needs of its entire people including those living in the interior villages.

Highlighting the launching of the ‘Go to Hills’ and ‘Go to Village’ schemes in the earlier term, the Chief Minister said the government understands the difficulties of life in the far-flung villages and so in its second term, the government is giving first priority to the interior villages and border areas under the leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Earlier in his welcome note, the village chairman Th Kapani said the day is celebrated after every five years to commemorate the innumerable blessings the people have received since time immemorial, and also to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the village.

Inauguration of a monolith, whooping by three keels, hoisting of village flag, special items, cultural item by the Laii Women Society, Bee Dance by Laii Village Men folk are the main highlights of the day’s event.