Bangkok, Nov 20: Essence of Manipuri culture still runs to the blood of almost all Manipuri living outside the state as well as those living abroad far away from home. On Saturday, November 19 Manipuri Diaspora living at Thailand gathered at Bangkok and enthralls the taste of Ningol Chakouba the biggest and most significanct festival of Manipuri that strengthen the bondage between sisters and brothers. Ningol Chakouba is originally celebrated on the 2nd day of Hiyangei (Manipuri traditional lunar calendar) which falls on November 1. But as Manipuris living in Thailand hardly get time to gather with their busy time scheduled as they are working at different sectors living at different part of the country.
November 19 was indeed a blessing for the Manipuri sisters and brothers living in Thailand. They spare their scheduled programme to meet their brothers and sisters to enhance the biggest Manipuri Culture.
“As we live in different parts of Thailand, working in different professional fields, and sadly unable to manage vacation, we couldn’t celebrate Chakouba on the same day as our brothers and sisters do in Manipur. Feeling nostalgic of missing the season at home(Manipur) but with great joy that we are able to get the opportunity of our traditional festival and blessing from our senior-most of the group, Tamo Chinghem, who has been living for 30 years in Thailand, with about 20 Manipuris altogether, had this Chakouba to keep the tradition among Manipuris here in Thailand, too. We, brothers (Pipa) are very happy to see our sisters feeling joy, being able to join this annual celebration, able to catch this rare occasion far away from home(Manipur); we always called home even if some of us have settled here permanently”, said Chingakham Dina.
Dina is presently working in Thailand and is one among the man behind the formation of Manipuri Global Platform (Thailand). The platform was established last year during the visit of Editors’ Guild Manipur (EGM) to facilitate the Manipuri who are visiting the country. The platform also aims to provide guidance to Manipuri living across the globe for better opportunity if desire to start business.
Chingakham Dina and his colleague have been contributing various writings to newspapers in Manipur telling on how life here in Manipur can be improved taking lessons from the Thailand.
Being an educationist Dina has been imparting his experience on how the education system is improved at primary level and elementary level too.
