Patriotism runs high in blood of Northeastern people: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma

Conrad Sangma said that festivals like Kut remain important in this fast-moving modern world as it reminds us of who we are and what is our root and origin.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the Kut festival should be promoted at a bigger platform. (File photo)

Praising the Northeastern people for their love towards the nation, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said, “The spirit of patriotism runs high in the blood of the people of the North-East region and this is our strength.” Sangma said this while attending the ‘Kut’ festival in Chandel district of Manipur on Thursday.

“Chavang Kut” the post-harvest festival of Chin-Kuki-Mizos (CHIKIMs) tribes of Manipur, was celebrated across the state with much fanfare and with a cultural extravaganza. This year’s theme of the post-harvest celebration was “Nurturing the Legacy of our Forefather”.

Citing the essence to preserves the customs and traditions of each tribe, Sangma said the Kut festival should be promoted at a bigger platform. He also said that festivals like Kut remain important in this fast-moving modern world as it reminds us of who we are and what is our root and origin.

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“The Garo tribe of Meghalaya, which he belongs to, has a similar post-harvest festival,” he added.

The chief minister said, “Even though all of us belong to the same species of human beings ultimately, festivals like this define our uniqueness and our characteristics of being a Kuki or Garo or Khasi and so on with regard to language, dress, music and dance etc.”

Sangma said the CHIKIMS community should promote the festival to national and international platforms in the next coming years by inviting international delegates and foreign ambassadors.

He also appealed to the community people and the departments concerned to start documenting the customs and traditions of each tribe so that their identity does not get lost in this fast-moving modern world.

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Minister of YAS and Water Resources, Letpao Haokip, who is also the chief host, said this festival will bring the much-needed peace, unity and prosperity in the state of Manipur. He also thanked Conrad Sangma for coming all the way from Meghalaya to attend the Kut festival.

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