Thabi festival held in Churachandpur

Last Updated on September 24, 2023 by SPN Editor

The 5^th edition of Tangmai Festival (Thabi Festival) was celebrated with much pomp and traditional gaiety at Young Paite Association (YPA), GHQ Hall located at Hiangtam Lamka, in Churachandpur district on Friday.

The Thabi festival organised under the aegis of the Young Paite Association (YPA), General Headquarters, saw a huge turn-out of people from various walks of life, adorned with their traditional attires; the people could be seen enjoying a slice of cucumber from stores erected in front of the main avenue. The festival was inaugurated by the Advisor YPA, GHQ. Chin Ngaih Pau.

Besides the main event held at YPA-GHQ Hall, the festival also witnessed a large number of stalls constructed at Public Ground, offering traditional foods including beer drinks made from fruits and other edible forest products.

Speaking at the event, 60-Singhat AC MLA Chinlunthang said the Thabi festival should be promoted on a larger scale to achieve the status of an international festival. Acknowledging the hard work of farmers who cultivated Thabi, Singhat MLA sought the efforts of all in organising the next Tangmai (or Thabi) festival in a grand way. He also elaborated on the health benefits of Thabi and explored the economic benefits it can provide to the farmers.

MLA 59-Saikot AC Paolienlal Haokip said that the hill areas have been blessed with fertile lands, where one can sow any seed without the help of chemical fertilizers to sprout. However, our ignorance and greed have turned our fertile hills into a barren land. Let us ask ourselves, have we done our best enough for our land and people, added Saikot MLA.

He also appealed to everyone to work with honesty, irrespective of position and class. “Let us stop expecting monetary assistance from MLA when organising any kind of function, instead, let’s start asking them where the money comes from,’ he exuded.

 Addressing reporters on the sidelines of the event, Chairman of Tangmai Festival Celebration Committee (TFCC) Vungzapau said that the main objective of the farmers is to support farmers by promoting Cucumber markets and maintaining traditional practices in celebrating the cucumber harvest during which various cultural practices were exchanged the days of yore. The festival also marked a thanksgiving programme to the almighty for the abundant blessing he showered upon his people, he added.

For the event, 14,000 cucumbers have been collected from farmers out of which only 4000 were sold and the rest has been set aside for consumption by those who participate in the festival.

During the programme, various cultural troupes showcased cultural dance while Paite Zai-Awi Pawl (PZP) presented special numbers at regular intervals.

The programme will culminate with a ‘musical night’ where Rebecca Saimawi, a famous Singer from Bangalore, will entertain the public, besides many local singers.