Meghalaya CM participates Kut festival at Chandel

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, November 1, 2018: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma was the chief guest of the Kut celebration at Chandel District Kut -2018 celebrated at the Sugnu Lamhang village of Chande todayl.

Organised by the Chandel district Kut committee, this year’s theme of the post-harvest celebration was “Nurturing the Legacy of our Forefather”.

Sangma opined that patriotism is the strength of the North-East people and appealed that festivals such as Kut should be promoted to a bigger platform as it preserves the customs and traditions of each tribe.

Youth affairs and sports and water resources minister Letpao Haokip was the chief host in the noon session of the event. Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar and arts and culture minister L. Jayantakumar and many ADC members. Top civil and police officials and thousands of people attended the event.

Letpao presented Sangma the traditional gong ‘Dak’ and a traditional instrument and showed him how to use the items.

Sangma said festivals like Kut remains important in this fast-moving modern world as it reminds us of who we are and what is our root and origin and said that the Garo tribe of Meghalaya, which he belongs to, has a similar post-harvest festival. Even though all of us belong to the same species of human beings ultimately, festivals like this defines 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., he added.

Sangma also expressed his happiness that so many youths have actively participated in this joyous Kut festival.

Many cultural performances and songs entertained the main guests and the audience