The National Identity Protection Council (NIPCO), Imphal West, has appealed to the people of Manipur to uphold the traditional sanctity and cultural values of the Ningol Chakkouba festival, which will be celebrated on October 23, 2025. The council called upon citizens to preserve the festival’s true spirit of familial love, peace, and unity, cautioning against modern distortions and excessive commercialization.
In a statement signed by Secretary (IPR) Bijando Yumkhaibam, NIPCO emphasized that Ningol Chakkouba is not merely a ritual celebration but a cultural institution deeply rooted in Manipuri society, symbolizing the sacred bond between brothers and married sisters. The council urged the public to maintain traditional customs, attire, and practices, while celebrating the festival with modesty and dignity.
Expressing concern over the growing commercialization and social excesses associated with the festival, NIPCO warned that extravagant celebrations, external influences, and cultural neglect could erode the festival’s original meaning and undermine Manipuri identity. It called for simplicity, mutual respect, and adherence to ancestral values during the observance.
Significantly, NIPCO also appealed to traders and market vendors not to hike the prices of essential commodities in the run-up to the festival. The council noted that exploiting public demand during Ningol Chakkouba for unfair profit is socially irresponsible and unethical, urging authorities to keep strict checks on market prices so that all families can celebrate the occasion without hardship.
The organization further called upon government departments, local authorities, and civil society groups to remain vigilant and ensure that the festival is observed in line with Manipuri cultural values. It cautioned that the uncritical adoption of foreign customs and neglect of community discipline could weaken social harmony.
Concluding its statement, NIPCO reaffirmed its guiding motto of Integrity, Peace, and Unity, urging every household to celebrate Ningol Chakkouba as a reaffirmation of Manipuri identity and togetherness, while exercising social responsibility and economic fairness during the festive period.