At a time when Manipur continues to grapple with social divisions and fractured community relationships, this year’s Ningol Chakouba celebrations carried a message extending beyond family reunions and traditional feasts. The annual observance by the All Manipur Ethnical Socio-Cultural Organisation (AMESCO), in particular, sought to reaffirm the values of mutual respect, togetherness and peaceful coexistence, reminding people that the bonds of affection can transcend community and cultural identities.
AMESCO organised its annual ‘Eikhoigi Eche-Echalsingbu Ningshingba Numit’ (Ningol Chakouba) at Khonghampat Awang Leikai Community Hall in Imphal West on November 11, honouring women, particularly mothers, sisters and daughters, and acknowledging their enduring contributions to families and society.
Continuing a tradition maintained since 1993, the programme seeks not only to preserve the cultural significance of Ningol Chakouba but also to extend its spirit of love and belonging to the wider social fabric of Manipur.
In its message, AMESCO underscored that Manipur belongs to all its communities and that differences of community, clan or group should never stand in the way of mutual understanding. It called for recognition of shared roots and collective responsibility in building a peaceful future for the coming generations, urging women, elders, youths and people from all communities to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence.
The programme brought together a cross-section of social and cultural representatives, including AMESCO president-in-charge Ibotombi Loitongbam, Manipur University of Culture Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kananbala Sarangthem, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur president Ema Soraisam Memcha, social scientist Dr. Dhanabir Laishram, All Manipur Women Volunteer Association president Wangkhem Ibema and MEIPAK NINGTHOU Committee convenor Arshad Basheimayum.
The wider celebrations across the state also reflected efforts to bring people together through shared cultural observances. Programmes organised by AMESCO, the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and state forces at Khonghampat, Kakching, Pallel, Kakching Khunou and Bishnupur saw participation from different communities, including members of tribal communities and residents of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. The gatherings offered opportunities for interaction and fellowship against the backdrop of continuing social challenges.
In a separate observance, Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Chairman Dinganglung Gangmei celebrated Ningol Chakouba with his family at his Babupara residence in Imphal. In a message accompanying the celebration, Gangmei and his family described the festival as an expression of love, respect and togetherness that reaches beyond family ties to embrace people across communities, cultures and backgrounds.
“Different roots, one river of love. No distance can dry it, no difference can divide it. For many waters cannot quench love — This is Ningol Chakouba, where hearts return home,” the family message stated.
They extended greetings to all Ningols, expressing hope that the occasion would deepen family bonds and nurture greater affection, peace and harmony across Manipur.
The festival’s spirit travelled beyond the state’s geographical boundaries as Manipuris living elsewhere, including members of the community in Mumbai, marked the occasion through intimate gatherings. Away from their homes in Manipur, Assam and Tripura, the celebrations offered an opportunity to reconnect with cultural roots, uphold family traditions and pass on the festival’s values to younger generations.
Ningol Chakouba, traditionally observed on the second day of the new moon in the Manipuri lunar month of Hiyangei, celebrates the enduring bond between married daughters and their parental families. On the occasion, married women return to their parental homes, often accompanied by their children, to share a traditional feast and exchange gifts.
Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh also extended greetings to the people, highlighting the festival’s message of family bonding, mutual respect and social harmony.
Ahead of the celebrations, the Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 5.88 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer to 58,863 eligible internally displaced persons, extending support to conflict-affected families during the festive occasion.
While family reunions, traditional delicacies and the exchange of gifts remained at the heart of the celebrations, this year’s observances also brought the festival’s larger social message into focus. In a state where relationships across communities have come under severe strain, the call for shared belonging, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence carried significance well beyond the festive gatherings.