Zomi convention echoes with calls for peace
IMPHAL, October 25/IFP: The 3rd World Zomi Convention was inaugurated at Lamka Public Ground today under the theme “Marching On” and will continue till October 27.
The function was inaugurated by lighting up of the inaugural lamp by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and featured various cultural items performed by many communities.
Addressing the gathering, Gaikhangam lauded that this convention will help in building integrity, mutual respect, unity and solidarity not only among the Zomi communities but with other communities.
The message of the convention is to spread love and brotherhood for its prevalence not only in India but all over the world, he said and added that the showcasing of a variety show by various communities will help in spreading the message of unity.
He further stated that Zomi have specific talents in various field and are residing all over the globe occupying high ranks in different establishments, and expressed his desire that the Zomi convention should be organized in future too.
Speaking at the function, Health and Family Welfare minister, Phungzathang Tonsing appealed to the civil society organisations and security personnel not to create unwanted problems in Churachandpur which is known as the second town of Manipur.
Chairman, Hill Area Committee (HAC), Dr Chaltonlien Amo said that the convention has been organized in the aftermath of many untoward incidents that happened recently with the hope of restoration of peace and harmony in the state.
He continued that the convention will successful in its mission and instead of perpetrating crimes, organization of such programmes will be beneficial to the state.
Delivering his speech, chairman of Zomi Convention LB Sona stated that the necessity of organizing World Zomi Convention became necessary from the consideration that thousands of Zomi are scattered across the globe professing Christian faith, yet preserving their true national identity.
“It was felt necessary that they gathered together, reason together and discuss the emerging issues, challenges and opportunities of the Zomi,” he said and continued that to strive for building a stronger nation, one cannot ignore the importance of maintaining the spirit of peaceful co-existence with neighbouring communities.
He further said that in this globalised village no community can effort to exist in seclusion, pursue an exclusive agenda and remains further isolated, neither can survive forever with the bitter past, and added that it is in the backdrop of this fact that the 3rd World Zomi Convention is being organized with the theme “ Marching On”.
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Zomi Convention kicks off amid razzmatazz
LAMKA, Oct 25/TSE: The opening ceremony of the 3rd Zomi Convention kicked off amid pomp and gaiety here at Lamka Public Ground (south Manipur) on Friday with the ground transforming into a huge cultural party venue as cultural troupes from various ethnic communities of the State, including Myanmar show-cased colourful programmes enthralling the crowd.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam inaugurated the function while Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Md Nasir, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Chaltonlien Amo, Chairman, Hill Areas Committee shared the dais.
T Manga Vaiphei, Chairman, MTDC, Vungzagin Valte, Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture and CADA, Ginsuahau Zou, MLA, Singhat Constituency, Lang-khanpau Guite, Chairman, ADCC, Churachandpur district, Mannuamching, CEO, ADCC, Jacintha Lazarus, Deputy Commissioner, Mangokhin Haokip, Superintendent of Police among others were also present at the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Gaikhangam said that the 3rd World Zomi Convention brings a message of love, peace and harmony, brotherhood and impartiality among the different communities in Manipur.He released the souvenir and journals of the convention during the function.
LB Sona, chairman, Zomi Council in his speech said the Zomi Council during its general assembly on April 23, 2013 unanimously decided to organise the World Zomi Convention taking into consideration the fact that there are thousands of Zomi scattered across the globe, professing Christian faith and therefore it is felt necessary that they gathered together, reason together and discussed the emerging issues, challenges and opportunities of the Zomi.
He said, “This year’s edition of the three-day long convention is being oraganised with the theme “Marching on…” and I sincerely hope and pray that the series of worship programmes, seminar and cultural events to be conducted during the convention serve its intended purpose and become a milestone in the annals of the Zomi history.”
Union minister of Road Transport and Highways, Oscar Fernandes who was invited to the opening function of the convention was not present. In a letter to LB Sona, Oscar Fernandes said he would not be able to attend the convention due to the announcement of election to the state assembly in five states in near future and urgent matter cropping up in his ministry to attend to.
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3rd World Zomi convention begins in Manipur; Zomi’s from various contries to take part in the three day event
NETV Bureau
Oct 25, Manipur: The 3rd World Zomi Convention kicked off in South Manipur at the Churachandpur Public ground with all ethnic communities living in Manipur participating in the grand inaugural program, featuring a grand cultural exchange & cultural exhibition. For the Zomi who are spread geographically in three different countries - India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, as well the Zomi diaspora in 35 countries, the three day socio-cultural exchange is a rare and a special event that aims at bringing the Zomis together in one platform to march ahead as a blessed nation.
The colourful inaugural function of the 3rd World Zomi Convention kicked off in a flying start with Manipur Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Gaikhangam lighting the inaugural lamp as Chief Guest of the grand cultural event, followed by spirited cultural performances by all the different ethnic communities living in Manipur, litting up the 3rd World Zomi Convention. Along with all the communities of Manipur, cultural troupes from Mizoram, Myanmar and Bangladesh gave enthralling cultural performances. The Zomi Council Chairman and the Presider of the Convention spoke to NETV about the program.
As planned the 3rd World Zomi convention provided unique opportunity for the Zo descendants living in different parts of the world to come together and deliberate on their future. Health Minister Phunjathang Tonsing, who was presiding over the inauguration function claimed Churachandpur district is the most peaceful district of the Manipur and appealed to all including civil societies and security forces posted in the district to keep in that way and called on the Zomi people to working together for communal harmony, integrity and peace in Manipur in particular and the world as a whole.
Shri Gaikhangam, deputy Chief Minister who attended the function as the Chief Guest, replacing Oscar Fernandes, who couldn’t make it to the convention because of his Lok Sabha election engagement, congratulated the Zomi Council, the organizing Committee, for conveying a grand event and bringing all the different communities of Manipur as well as bringing the Zo descendants of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Mizoram under one platform.
After the grand cultural exchange, as the second and third event of the Zomi Convention, ‘Issues, Challenges and opportunity of the Zomi’ were deliberated in the YPA HQ Hall in Lamka followed up by the workshop program with ‘be a blessed nation’ as its theme in selected churches in Churchandpur district
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‘No outsider will give us peace and progress’
Morung Express News
Lamka | October 25: Nine tribes perform together at the 3rd World Zomi Convention at Lamka, Churachandpur, one of which is seen here performing on the opening day of the convention held at the Lamka Public Ground, Friday October 25. (Morung Photo)
The Zo people, or Zomi, are no stranger to post colonial divisions and remain scattered till today, inhabiting parts of present Bangladesh, India and Burma. Today, Zo people from across 35 countries came together for the 3rd World Zomi Convention being held from October 25-27 here at the Lamka Public Ground. Reverberating music and cheer from nearly 50,000 people gathered at the local ground saw the day’s affair through.
L. B. Sona, chairman of the Zomi Council (comprising nine tribes), addressed the gathering on why the Convention is essential to bring together “thousands of Zomi scattered across the globe, professing Christian faith, yet preserve their true national identity.”
“It is felt necessary that they gathered together, reason together and discuss the emerging ‘Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’ of the Zomi. It is also pertinent that they seek the Lord, and ‘Be a Blessed nation’ so that they become a blessing for other communities in their respective place of stay,” he said.
“While we continue to strive for building a stronger nation, one cannot ignore the importance of maintaining the spirit of peaceful co-existence with neighbouring communities. In this globalized village, no community can afford to exist in seclusion, pursue an exclusive agenda and remain further isolated. Neither can we live forever with our bitter past”, he added.
“We believe our relationship will be strengthened socially, culturally and traditionally through such a congregation,” said Convenor of the Convention, Dr. R. Sanga, speaking at the event. The mega convention aims to focus on the role of community in maintaining peace and security, and is based on the theme “Marching On.” The first World Zomi Convention was held in 1988.
“We, the Zomis, must know that no outsider will give us peace and progress. It depends upon all of us. There would be no survival without peace,” asserted Dr. Sanga, adding that “our rich and varied cultural heritage should be preserved, exchanged and exhibited with great pomp and show.”
True to this, the day’s events saw music and dance extravaganza from the nine tribes of the Zomi, and spectacular choirs from Mizoram and Churachandpur, apart from cultural shows by Naga and Meitei troupes. Towards the end, the nine Zo tribes came together to perform each of their dances together on the local ground.
“This type of convention shows the oneness and brotherhood among the Zomi,” said Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur, G. Gaikhangam, in his speech as the chief guest, which was delivered in Manipuri (Meiteilon) and could not be understood by many locals of Churachandpur. “This is a very good step for the Zomi, who are scattered but highly educated and hold high posts in state and central services. Many of them are also doing well abroad,” stated Gaikhangam. Four of the six MLAs from Churachandpur district are Zomi. The Deputy CM added that this has been made possible through their “god fearing” nature and keen interest in education.
Hosting the World Convention for the first time, Manipur Cabinet Minister for Health and Family Welfare, GAD, CADA, Phungzathang Tonsing, who also represents Churachandpur assembly seat addressed the dusty town in its local dialect.
“The Zomi were one during the British era but with the demarcation of the subcontinent into India, Burma and Bangladesh, the Zomi were also divided,” he said, adding that “even though mountains and rivers separate us, we can never be parted due to the same language, culture and tradition we share.”
He acknowledged that Zomi “brothers and sisters in Burma” face hardships due to the military junta but live peacefully in India’s “democratic” atmosphere. He reminded the people that Churachandpur is one of the most peaceful districts of Manipur and that no one, including security forces, should disturb this atmosphere.
Set on a budget of more than 25 lakh, the 3rd World Zomi Convention is supplemented with a two-day extensive seminar/workshop on ‘Issues, Challenges and Opportunities of the Zomi’ as well as Worship Programs every evening in selected churches, conducted by church leaders from the Zomi region.