Chavang Kut celebrated with fervour at Guwahati

From Our Correspondent

KANGPOKPI | Nov 2

Kuki community at Guwahati and Shillong jointly celebrated Chavang Kut on November 1 at Guwahati with much joviality and happiness.

The festival organised by Kuki Welfare Association (KWA), Guwahati under the theme, ‘How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in Unity (Psalm 133:1)’ at GMC Auditorium, Guwahati, where the historic Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1919) was also commemorated.

The programme was supposed to be attended as chief guest by chief minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal but could not turn up owing to emergency official matter. However, it was attended by IRS, Central Goods and Service Tax and Customs, NER Shillong, WL Hangshing as guest of honour while principal commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, DP. Haokip, IRS was the Kut Pa (Kut father).

Underlining the importance of Unity, DP. Haokip said that the forefathers had fought British for three years fearlessly during the Anglo-Kuki War. The British has recorded the war as the longest, largest and the costliest military operation in the whole of India since the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

He said that time has come for us to promote the celebration of Chavang Kut for unity and develop as a platform to seek the blessing of God.

He further cautioned the younger generation of the Kuki community not to use social media for discussion of unnecessary issues and rather take advantages of it for their educational benefit.

Cultural troupe from Hmar, Zomi, Baite, Guwahati Lawm, Maikhuli KCK and KSO Guwahati performed various cultural dances showcasing the unity and oneness through culture and identity while KWS, Guwahati Choir and Hmar Welfare enthralled the crowd with their melodious voice.

A documentary film of Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1919) produced by Kut Media Team under the aegis of Kuki Welfare Association was also screened in the auditorium while students of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong presented as skit on Anglo-Kuki War. Later, the crowd was fully mesmerised by song performance by Benny Khongsai.

Among the four nominees, the silver medallist in Serbian U-17 Youth International Badminton Championship, Andrew Paoginlen Lotzem won the Kut Icon Award 2017. a living legendary singer Benny Khongsai mesmerize the audience with his popular song, “Koi ba khatvei jol’a koi nomdem”.

Leaders of Kuki Inpi Meghalaya and Kuki Worship Service based at Shillong and Happy Valley, Shillong also attended the momentous festival. A massive Kut feast marked the impressive Chavang Kut Celebration at Guwahati.