Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi celebrated

Arif Siddiqui | Jairampur

Miao - The 24th Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi (festival) of the Singpho community was celebrated at Miao on February 14th with full gaiety and religious fervor. The festival was marked by colorful traditional dances, folk songs, and display of Gongs. The Minister for RWD, Sri chowna Mein graced the occasion as the chief guest which was also attended by Sri C.C. Singpho minister for health and family welfare, Sri Kamlung Mossang MLA and other dignitaries including government officers and officials.

Sri Chowna Mein has called upon the visitors from outside to experience the varied and rich culture, customs and exotic flora and fauna of vast Aruanchal Pradesh from East to West. He emphatically said it is time to develop and prepare ourselves for a better tomorrow. He also advocated for documentation of the traditions and culture of the community and said that Arunachal Pradesh being a state inhabited by numerous tribes and sub tribes is like a flower garden, full of different fragrances. “Arunachalee are more patriotic than any other Indians and AP will always remain an integral part of India” said Chowna Mein on the recent Chinese statement.

Chowna Mein said that the Historical Stilwell in Nampong has great momentous in the future prosperity of the District. He includes that the opening of Border Trade will enlarge the economy of the region and may boom the below par timber industries of the District.

Sri Mein lauded the Singphos for their rich cultural heritage and exhorted the youth to take keen interest for preserving it. He further appealed the elite and elder group of the community for involvement of the younger generation so as to render them platform to realize about the importance of the festival

On this auspicious occasion C.C.Singpho who is also the Chief Patron of the festival and the Chief Advisor of SDSI extended his gratefulness to all the dignitaries, guest and local participants for their contribution in this festival and making it a success “Our youth are misguided and going in to the wrong direction with intake of Opium” said Sri C. C. Singpho. He has shown a serious concern over consumption of drugs and narcotics by the Singphos’ new generation and advised them to refrain from it by involving themselves in more creative works. Shapawng Yawng festival could be organized as an international festival because Singpho community though a little but has its wings span spread in abroad in countries like Myanmar and Thailand, he added. He praised the activities of the Singpho development society and said that it could be the main platform for serving the Singpho community.

Photographs of the event through Arif's lens: