Wainem (Senapati), Jan. 14 : It was a fine cocktail of power, religion and culture and the villagers of Wainem in Senapati district of Manipur, inhabited by the Zeliangrong community, perhaps experienced the happiest day today since the bloodbath between the Kukis and the Nagas in the early nineties.
The occasion was the felicitation of Bonthaolung Panmei, a resident of Wainem who has been nominated to the Kangpokpi District Council in Sadar Hills of Senapati district by the Congress.
Around 400 villagers attended the event to celebrate their march towards progress. Zeliangrongs are a minority in the Kangpokpi area and the residents of Wainem consider this nomination another milestone in their path to progress.
The village slaughtered three cows, more than 15 cocks and cooked a huge quantity of fish for the day’s feast.
“Today is the happiest day in the life of my village. For this we thank God and the Congress government,” Thailunpou Thaimei, the chief of the village, said.
Wainem villagers had shifted from Thangjing hill range to their present location after armed Kukis attacked their village, set all the houses on fire and shot dead two men in the early nineties during the Naga-Kuki clashes.
“We have now forgotten the past and forgiven them. We are marching ahead and working towards peace. We have not regretted our decision to shift to this place,” Thaimei said in retrospect.
The village now has a member serving in the army as a captain, a government doctor, a teacher in IIT Roorkee and a few others in active services. Some youths are pursuing higher studies in Chennai and Delhi.
Village elders and youngsters are equally contributing to preserving their culture. Dance items, gospel songs and special numbers by young and talented artistes made the programme a memorable one.
Gaijenlu Gangmei, 4, who danced to Shakira’s Waka Waka, impressed all. “She is really cute and has performed very well. I am quite impressed,” Manipur PCC president Gaikhangam, the chief guest at the function, said.
To the villagers, Panmei’snomination is like having an MLA of their own. “We have full confidence in Panmei and are looking forward to better days,” Gd. Akhom, a former chairman of Wainem Village Authority, said.
The villagers know that for better living conditions they will have to work harder. “We will get busy with farming from tomorrow,” Thaimei said. “The village now has power (Panmei) and we pray that we are blessed,” he added.